No, zebra meat is generally considered halal (permissible) in Islam.
Islamic Views on Zebra Consumption
The consensus among various schools of Islamic jurisprudence, including Ja'fari Shia, is that zebras are permissible for consumption. This is based on the general principle that wild animals without canine teeth are halal. Many reputable Islamic sources confirm this ruling. For example, Al-Islam.org states that zebras are halal among other wild animals like antelopes and deer. Similarly, IslamQA explicitly states that zebra (Himaarul Wahshi in Arabic) is unanimously agreed upon as halal. Another source, Academic.oup.com, also mentions zebras, along with wild camels and gazelles, as halal by general consensus.
Important Considerations
While the consensus supports the halal status of zebra meat, it is crucial to ensure that the animal is slaughtered according to Islamic principles (Zabiha). This involves specific procedures and invocations that are essential for the meat to be considered halal.
- Proper Slaughter: The animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim, using a sharp knife, making a swift cut to sever the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe.
- Name of Allah: The name of Allah must be invoked before the slaughter.
The halal status of the meat is contingent upon these conditions being met.
