Is catfish halal?
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Question
I have been told that we are not to eat catfish because it does not contain scales and because it is a carnivorous scavenger. Is this true for any madhab, and if so which?Answer
In the name of Allah, most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
In the three schools of fiqh other than the Hanafis [namely Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali], the general ruling is that the produce of the sea is permitted.
According to the Hanafi school, whatever is known to be from the fish family will be permitted, and the rest is unlawful (Hidaya, 4/71).
So, what about catfish?
Keeping this principle in mind, it is evident that catfish is without a doubt permitted (halal) according to the other three schools of fiqh. However, according to the Hanafi school, this depends on whether it is considered a fish or not.
After researching into the catfish, the scholars mention that it is a special type of fish, thus lawful to eat it. (See the Encyclopaedia Britannica, for example.)
And Allah knows best
Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari, UK
This answer was published by SunniPath and is preserved as written. Rulings can depend on circumstances; for your own situation, consult a qualified scholar.
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