3 Excellent proofs why eating crabs is not haram
C.J Ahmed-06/3/2023
Eating crabs is not haram in Islam because there is no clear text prohibiting it. The general confusion among some Muslims on whether crab is halal or not is due to various differing opinions and disagreements that have existed among scholars and schools of thought and the topic of whether crabs are halal has ended as an unnecessary issue.
The issue of whether a Muslim should eat crabs or not has been a debate that has been raging for quite a while now due to various false views from Madhh abs and deviated sects . Below are the three great proofs o n why eating crabs is halal in Islam,
Proof-1
This is what Allah(Swt) says in the Quran,
"The game of the water and eating thereof are permitted to you as a provision for you and for those on a journey"(Al-Quran-5:96)
Ibn Abbas(Rali) explained the above verse as mentioned in Ibn kathir as "Sayduhu (lit. hunting, pursuit) refers to whatever is taken from it alive, and ta’aamuhu (lit. its food) means whatever is taken dead.”
This verse is clear proof that any animal that lives in the sea is halal and the crab lives in the sea it falls under the explanation of the above chapter in the Quran. Now, some might argue that crabs do not live entirely in the sea live other fish and they come up with an analogy that the crab is Makrooh (disliked) or haram because it does not live completely in the sea. This is a false argument because this argument has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah and if crabs were haram in the first place,there would be clear textual evidence to prove it. No where in the Quran or authentic hadiths does it say that animals that live in the land or sea is haram. What needs to be understood is that Islam is a religion of ease. Allah(Swt) says in the Quran,
"Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you”
(Al-Quran-2:185)
Proof-2
Abu Hurayrah(Rali) narrated the prophet(Sal) was asked about sea water and he said, “Its water is purifying for ablution, and its dead animals are lawful to eat.”
(Tirmidhi-Graded Sahih by imam Tirmidhi)
The above authentic hadith closes the argument on whether you can eat crabs or not and proves clearly that eating crabs is halal. The companions of the prophet(Sal) also had no difference of opinion.
Proof-3
Jabir(Rali) said,"We set out in the army of al-Khabt and Abu Ubayda (Rali) was the commander of the troops. We were struck with severe hunger and the sea threw out a dead fish the likes of which we had never seen, and it was called al-Anbar. We ate it for half a month. Abu Ubayda took (and fixed) one of its bones and a rider passed underneath it (without touching it). Abu Ubayda said (to us): "Eat (of that fish)." When we arrived at Madina, we informed the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) about what had happened, and he said: "Eat, for it is food Allah has brought out for you, and feed us if you have some of it." So some of them gave him (of that fish) and he ate it."
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
Nutritional Value of Crabs
There are many health benefits of eating crabs and I thought that this shouldn't be overlooked. Crab meat is full of phosphorous and phosphorous is a key mineral to having strong bones and teeth. crab meat also is rich in vitamin B-12 and omega-3 fatty acids which fights depression and anxiety and heart related illnesses.Crab meat contains selenium which boosts the immune system.Below is the table showing the health benefits of eating crab.
Eating crabs is not haram in Islam because there is no clear text prohibiting it. The general confusion among some Muslims on whether crab is halal or not is due to various differing opinions and disagreements that have existed among scholars and schools of thought and the topic of whether crabs are halal has ended as an unnecessary issue.
The issue of whether a Muslim should eat crabs or not has been a debate that has been raging for quite a while now due to various false views from Madhh abs and deviated sects . Below are the three great proofs o n why eating crabs is halal in Islam,
Proof-1
This is what Allah(Swt) says in the Quran,
"The game of the water and eating thereof are permitted to you as a provision for you and for those on a journey"(Al-Quran-5:96)
Ibn Abbas(Rali) explained the above verse as mentioned in Ibn kathir as "Sayduhu (lit. hunting, pursuit) refers to whatever is taken from it alive, and ta’aamuhu (lit. its food) means whatever is taken dead.”
This verse is clear proof that any animal that lives in the sea is halal and the crab lives in the sea it falls under the explanation of the above chapter in the Quran. Now, some might argue that crabs do not live entirely in the sea live other fish and they come up with an analogy that the crab is Makrooh (disliked) or haram because it does not live completely in the sea. This is a false argument because this argument has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah and if crabs were haram in the first place,there would be clear textual evidence to prove it. No where in the Quran or authentic hadiths does it say that animals that live in the land or sea is haram. What needs to be understood is that Islam is a religion of ease. Allah(Swt) says in the Quran,
"Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you”
(Al-Quran-2:185)
Proof-2
Abu Hurayrah(Rali) narrated the prophet(Sal) was asked about sea water and he said, “Its water is purifying for ablution, and its dead animals are lawful to eat.”
(Tirmidhi-Graded Sahih by imam Tirmidhi)
The above authentic hadith closes the argument on whether you can eat crabs or not and proves clearly that eating crabs is halal. The companions of the prophet(Sal) also had no difference of opinion.
Proof-3
Jabir(Rali) said,"We set out in the army of al-Khabt and Abu Ubayda (Rali) was the commander of the troops. We were struck with severe hunger and the sea threw out a dead fish the likes of which we had never seen, and it was called al-Anbar. We ate it for half a month. Abu Ubayda took (and fixed) one of its bones and a rider passed underneath it (without touching it). Abu Ubayda said (to us): "Eat (of that fish)." When we arrived at Madina, we informed the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) about what had happened, and he said: "Eat, for it is food Allah has brought out for you, and feed us if you have some of it." So some of them gave him (of that fish) and he ate it."
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
Nutritional Value of Crabs
There are many health benefits of eating crabs and I thought that this shouldn't be overlooked. Crab meat is full of phosphorous and phosphorous is a key mineral to having strong bones and teeth. crab meat also is rich in vitamin B-12 and omega-3 fatty acids which fights depression and anxiety and heart related illnesses.Crab meat contains selenium which boosts the immune system.Below is the table showing the health benefits of eating crab.