Is eating alligators and crocodiles permissible?
Question
Assalamo Alaikom,
Is eating Alligators permissible (Halal)? We are travelling to Sub-Saharan Africa and a non-Muslim friend recommended several exotic dishes one of which is alligators/crocodiles and the sort.
Jazakom Allahu Khairan
Answer
Scholars have differed on the ruling for eating alligator meat. One opinion states that it is comparable to fish based on the general implication of the words of Allah on water animals “It is permitted for you to catch and eat seafood” [Al-Ma`ida: 96], the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who said, “Its water is pure and its dead animals are lawful to eat”, and the general implication of the words of Allah, “[Prophet], say, ‘In all that has been revealed to me, I find nothing forbidden for the people to eat, except for carrion, flowing blood, Pig’s meat—it is loathsome—or a sinful offering over which any name other than God’s has been invoked” [Al-An’am: 145]. This is also because the principle of permissibility applies until it is established otherwise. Another opinion states that alligator meat is not permissible because alligators have fangs and because they are loathsome since they eat humans.