Q: Chickens are fed with different things, such as flour and the flesh of dead animals that may include swine flesh. (Part No. 22; Page No. 377) Is it Halal (lawful) or Haram (prohibited) to eat these chickens? If it is Haram, what about their eggs?

A: In connection to what you have mentioned, there is disagreement among the scholars about eating their meat and eggs. Malik and a group of scholars said that it is Mubah (permissible) to eat their meat and eggs, because impure foods become purified when they are turned into meat and eggs. Some other scholars, among whom were Al-Thawry, Al-Shafi`y, and Ahmad, prohibited eating their meat and eggs or drinking their milk unless they are then fed with purified food for at least three days. It was said that if most of their food is filthy, they will be considered Jallalah (domesticated animals fed on impurities) and thus must not be eaten. On the other hand, if most of their food is pure, it will be permissible to eat them. Another group of scholars prohibited eating them, taking as evidence the following Hadith related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Nasa'y, and Al-Tirmidhy: On the authority of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) who narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prohibited drinking the milk of Jallalah. The Hadith was ranked as Sahih (authentic) by Al-Tirmidhy and Ibn Daqiq Al-`Id. It was also related by Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, and Ibn Majah on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prohibited eating Jallalah and drinking its milk. The preponderant opinion is the detailed second opinion. (Part No. 22; Page No. 378) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.