Eating fish without slaughtering them

Q: I read in a local newspaper that eating fish without slaughtering them is considered Haram (prohibited); is this correct? Bear in mind that everyone in the Islamic and Arab communities eats fish without slaughtering them.

A: What you read about the obligation of slaughtering fish is not correct. It is permissible to eat fish without slaughtering them, because when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about purification with sea water, he said (peace be upon him), “Its water is a purifier and its Maytah (dead sea creatures) are Halal.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.