Is Pigeon Halal Or Haram In Islam?

Pigeon meat is a type of poultry that is consumed in some parts of the world as a source of food. It is typically considered to be a delicacy. Pigeon meat is lean and has a flavor that is similar to that of other poultry such as chicken or turkey. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, including roasting, grilling, and braising.

But, Is pigeon halal? In this post, we will look at the Islamic perspective on whether pigeon meat is halal for Muslims to consume or not.

Is Pigeon Halal?

Yes, pigeon is halal with no stated prohibition provided it is slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law. It is permissible to eat pigeon because there is nothing to indicate that it is haram. Pigeon meat is found to be good and it does not have fangs (non-predatory bird).

Allah says:

Say, “I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure – or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.”

Surah An’am verse 145

Nothing is excluded from this ruling, except that which is reported as having been prohibited to be eaten.

Why Is Pigeon Halal?

Pigeon is halal because the basic principle with regard to food and drink is that it is permissible unless there is proof that it is haram. Allah says: “He it is Who created for you all that is on earth.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 29]

Whatever the Quran has permitted is permissible and whatever it has forbidden is forbidden, and whatever it does not mention is pardoned.

There is no evidence to suggest that it is haram to eat pigeon, so we go back to the original principle, which is that they are permissible.

In fact the permissibility of eating pigeons can be seen in the fact that the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) ruled that if a muhrim (pilgrim in ihram) hunted the pigeons of the Haram (sanctuary), the expiation for that is a sheep, which indicates that it is permissible to eat them (i.e., pigeons, the prohibition is on hunting when in ihram and within the boundaries of the Haram).

An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Our companions unanimously agreed that it is permissible to eat ostriches , chickens… ducks, sand grouse, sparrows, larks, francolin and pigeons…” (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, 7/22)

He also said:

“Whatever lives in the water and on land, including waterfowl such as ducks, geese and so on, is halal as stated above, but if any of these dies of natural causes (i.e., is not slaughtered in the proper manner) it is not halal, and there is no difference of scholarly opinion on this point. Rather it is essential that it be slaughtered properly.”

Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, 9/35

Is Pigeon Meat Halal?

Yes, pigeon meat is halal. It is permissible to eat the meat of pigeon, as Allah Says: Say, “Lawful for you are [all] good foods. [Surah Ma’idah: 4]. Allah further Says: …and makes lawful for them the good things. [Quran 7: 157]. So, the meat of an pigeon is good.

Is Pigeon Egg Halal?

Yes, pigeon egg is halal and allowed because pigeon itself is allowed to slaughter and eat as Halal. As it is permissible to eat pigeon meat, it is also permissible to eat its egg.

IslamQA stated that there is nothing special about the pigeons of Makkah or the pigeons of Madeenah, apart from the fact that they may not be hunted or disturbed so long as they are within the boundaries of the sanctuary, because of the general meaning of the hadeeth:

“Allaah had made Makkah sacred, and (fighting therein) was not permitted to anyone before me and will not be permitted to anyone after me. It was only permitted to me for a brief time on one day. Its shrubs are not to be uprooted, its trees are not to be cut down, and its game is not to be disturbed.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1349

And he SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Ibraaheem made Makkah a sanctuary, and I have made Madeenah a sanctuary, whatever is between its two lava fields [?]; its trees are not to be cut down and its game is not to be hunted.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1360).

Overall, it is generally considered acceptable for Muslims to eat pigeon meat as long as it is slaughtered and prepared in a way that follows the principles of halal.