Elephant meat is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam. This is primarily based on the Islamic principle that animals with fangs are prohibited for consumption. Several prominent Islamic scholars and sources support this ruling.
Islamic Rulings on Elephant Meat
Imam Al-Ghazali, in Al-Wasith, explicitly states that "the elephant is haram since it is fanged animals." This view is echoed by Imam Shafi'i in Al-Umm. The consensus among many Islamic scholars is that animals with fangs, like elephants, fall under the category of forbidden animals. This prohibition is rooted in Hadith and interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence.
Multiple sources, including IslamQA, LPPOM MUI, and Darul Fiqh, confirm the haram status of elephant meat, citing the presence of fangs as the primary reason. While some differing opinions exist within various schools of Islamic jurisprudence, the dominant and widely accepted view deems elephant meat as haram. The rationale aligns with the broader Islamic dietary laws aimed at ensuring the consumption of wholesome and permissible foods.
- Key Reason: The presence of fangs in elephants.
- Supporting Sources: Imam Al-Ghazali (Al-Wasith), Imam Shafi'i (Al-Umm), and various contemporary Islamic sources.
- Conclusion: The overwhelming consensus among Islamic scholars is that elephant meat is haram.
