Q: What is the ruling on
benefiting from the meat and hide of the ostrich
?
A:
The basic ruling is that food is Halal (lawful), according to Allah’s Saying:
O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth
And His Saying:
Say: "Lawful unto you are At-Tayyibât [all kind of Halâl (lawful-good) foods which Allâh has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits)].
Nothing is excluded from this ruling, except that which is reported as having been prohibited to be eaten. This includes that which is Najis (impure), such as Maytah (carrion); blood; swine meat; that which causes harm, such as poison and the like; every fanged predatory animal, except the hyena; every bird with talons; domestic donkeys; and all that feeds off carrion.As for the ostrich, it is permissible to eat its meat, as it is included in the basic ruling. Also, the Prophet’s Sahabah (Companions, may Allah be pleased with them) would offer a ransom for killing an ostrich in Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and ‘Umrah) or in the Haram (all areas within the Sacred Sanctuary of Makkah). Its meat is found to be good and it does not have fangs (non-predatory bird). As it is permissible to eat ostrich meat, it is also permissible to benefit from its hide too.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.