Is Quail Halal? What You Need To Know

Are you a Muslim looking to add some variety to your diet? Quail may be the perfect option for you. But before you add it to your next meal, you may be wondering ‘is quail halal?’.

In this post, we will explore the guidelines for determining whether quail is halal or not.

Is Quail Halal?

Yes, quail is halal. First and foremost, it is important to note that all birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks, are considered haram (forbidden) and should not be consumed. Quail, however, is not considered a bird of prey and is considered halal as long as it is slaughtered in accordance with Islamic guidelines.

Why is Quail Halal?

It is permissible to eat quail bird because there is nothing to indicate that it is haram. That is because the basic principle is that all birds are halal, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say (O Muhammad, SAW): I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maytah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth (by slaughtering or the like), or the flesh of swine (pork); for that surely, is impure or impious (unlawful) meat (of an animal) which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allaah (or has been slaughtered for idols, or on which Allaah’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). But whosoever is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits; (for him) certainly, your Lord is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”.

Surah al-An’aam verse 145

Excluded from that is that for which there is evidence that it is haram; and based on the evidence there are four such types:

Birds which have talons with which they catch prey, because of the report narrated by Muslim (1934) from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade every wild animal with fangs and every bird with talons.

It says in Zaad al-Mustaqni’: That which has talons with which it catches prey.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

What is meant by talons here is not the thing [spur] that protrudes from the leg of the rooster; that is a talon but it does not catch prey with it.

End quote from al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (15/20)

Birds which eats carrion, such as vultures and speckled crows.

It says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah (5/135):

The Hanafis, Shaafa’is and Hanbalis are agreed that it is haraam to eat large black crows and speckled crows, which are both types that usually eat only carrion, so they are abhorrent to those of a sound nature. This type also include vultures, because they only eat carrion, even though they do not have talons with which they catch prey.

End quote

Birds which is off-putting, such as bats. There is a difference of opinion among the scholars as to what constitutes off-putting, which there is no room to discuss here.

Birds which it is forbidden to kill, such as hoopoes, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood (5267) and Ibn Majaah (3224) from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade killing four kinds of animals: ants, bees, hoopoes and sparrow-hawks. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

Everything apart from that is permissible in principle. Taken from IslamQA.

• Suggested reading: Is Horse Meat Halal Or Haram?

Is Quail Eggs Halal?

Yes, quail eggs are halal. There is no evidence to suggest that it is haram, so we go back to the original principle, which is that they are permissible.