FIRST REMINDER. Yaumu Al-thalaatha, 3rd day of Rajab (Tuesday, 20th March). ANIMALS THAT ARE HALAAL OR HARAAM TO EAT OR SELL IN ISLAM Our topic today is broad as such each reminder is a bit long so bear with me as it takes only under 3 minutes to read through so spare that for your faith. [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam, Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK wrote an excellent article on Animals. I will be sharing his knowledge for my three reminders today and hopefully by the end of these reminders, we will all be having enough knowledge as to which animals are Halaal or Haraam in Shaa ALLAH. Islam is a religion of mercy and compassion. It only commands and prohibits that which is in the best interests of the human being. The human mind however, due to it being very limited and restricted, may not be able to understand the logic behind every ruling. It may not be able to comprehend properly why a particular ruling is given, but ALLAH Most High- the Merciful and All-Knowing- is the best to decide what is beneficial and harmful for us, for HE is the one who created us. ALLAH Most High blessed humanity with His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him & give him peace), as a light and light-giving. The Sacred Law (Shariah) of Islam that the Messenger of ALLAH (blessings and peace be upon him) came with from Allah differentiated between a living and a dead animal. Dead animals were declared unlawful (haram). Certain animals that were harmful to the welfare of humans were also prohibited, such as pigs, dogs, cats and wild animals. Thus, the animals that have been prohibited for consumption by Shariah is due to the fact that they are harmful for human consumption, whether we realize and understand this or otherwise. After understanding the above, it should be noted that each of the four Schools of Islamic law (madhhabs) have their own principles (based on the guidelines of the Qur’an & Sunnah) with regards to which animals are lawful (halal) and which are unlawful (haram) for consumption. In Shaa ALLAH, we will continue in the second reminder on the basic principles of Permissibility and Impermisibility in regards to animals. May Allah keep guiding us all and increases us in beneficial knowledge. Aameen.