Hyderabad: A debate is raging in Hyderabad after the premier Islami Seminary in the city, Jamia Niamia, issued a fatwa (decree) saying the consumption of prawns is not halal.
Mohammad Azeemuddin, the head Mufti of Jamia Nizamia, issued the fatwa in response to a question earlier this week basing his opinion on the fact that prawn is an arthropod (insect) and consuming one comes under Makrooh-e-Tahrimi (strictly abominable). The food items under this category are avoided by Muslims while halal items are allowed and those pronounced haram are strictly prohibited.
The fatwa has kicked up a row because prawn is a popular dish in the city and many fatwas in the past have allowed it.
The fatwa has specially come as a rude shock to the Muslim traders of seafood.
The authorities of Jamia Nizamia have clarified that the fatwa will be applicable to the followers of Hanafi school of thought and who subscribe to Jania Nizamia’s opinion.
Meanwhile, another religious institution in Hyderabad, Madrasa-e-Anwarul Huda, has quoted India’s distinguished seminary Darul Uloom Deoband to say that prawn was halal and not even Makrooh. Mufti Merajuddin Abrar says that earlier Darul Uloom Deoband had ruled that Prawn was Makrooh but later they changed the position and declared it halal.
Shia and Shafai Islamic jurisprudence also treat prawn as halal.
