the hawk, the falcon, the peregrine falcon, the sparrowhawk (3), the kite, the owl, and similar birds.

Section: It is forbidden to eat those among them that consume carrion, such as vultures, the Egyptian vulture (4), the raven of separation (al-ghurab al-bayn)—which is the largest of the crows—and the pied crow. 'Urwa said: Who would eat the crow when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has named it a "fasiq" (renegade/transgressor)! By Allah, it is not among the wholesome things. Perhaps he is referring to the statement of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Five are fasiq (harmful creatures) that may be killed within the sanctuary (al-hill) and the sacred territory (al-haram): the crow, the kite, the mouse, the scorpion, and the ferocious dog" (5). These five are prohibited because the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) permitted killing them within the sacred territory, and it is not permissible to kill a game animal that is lawful to eat within the sacred territory. Furthermore, whatever is lawful to eat may not be killed if one is able to capture it; rather, it should be slaughtered and eaten. Ahmad was asked about the magpie (6), and he said: If it [does not] (7) consume carrion, then there is no harm in it. Some of our companions said: It does consume carrion, so according to this, it would be prohibited.

Section: The swift (8), the nightjar, and the bat—which is the flittermouse—are forbidden. A poet said (9): Like the daylight, it increases the vision of humanity with light, yet it blinds the eyes of the bat.

Ahmad said: And who would eat the nightjar! He was asked about the swift, and he said: I do not know. Al-Nakha'i said: Every bird is lawful except the bat. These are forbidden because they are considered filthy (mustakhbathah), which the Arabs do not consider wholesome and do not eat. Wasps, hornets, bees, and similar insects are forbidden because they are considered filthy and not wholesome.

Section: Whatever is other than what we have mentioned is permissible due to the general scope of the texts indicating permissibility. Among these are grazing livestock, which are camels, cattle, and sheep. Allah the Almighty says: {Lawful to you are the grazing livestock} (10).