Q: Firstly: In some areas of our country there are people who treat the sick with the meat of predatory beasts, birds, and animals, whether the meat is Halal (lawful) or Haram (prohibited). What is the ruling on this? Please give us a Fatwa and may Allah reward you.Secondly: What is the ruling on consulting sorcerers, soothsayers, and astrologers?

A: Firstly: It is prohibited to eat the meat of animals that have fangs, such as lions, wolves, and tigers, or to eat the meat of birds of prey with talons, such as owls and falcons, or to eat the meat of domesticated animals, such as donkeys and mules. (Part No. 1; Page No. 562) It is reported on the authority of Abu Tha`labah Al-Khushany (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade the eating of every beast of prey with fangs. Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrated that The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade the eating of every beast of prey with fangs and every bird with talons. These two Hadiths make the general prohibition in the following Ayah (Qur'anic verse) specific: Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maitah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth (by slaughtering or the like), or the flesh of swine (pork); for that surely is impure or impious (unlawful) meat (of an animal) which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols, or on which Allâh’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). It could also be said that these Hadiths prohibited what was mentioned in them in addition to what was prohibited by Allah previously (Part No. 1; Page No. 563) in the Makkan Ayahs (those revealed in Makkah). As these species of animals and birds are forbidden to be eaten, they are also forbidden to be used for treating illnesses, as are other prohibited substances. However, anything that is Halal to eat is permitted to be used in a treatment. Secondly: It is not permissible to consult or believe sorcerers, soothsayers, or astrologers. This is based on the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Anyone who visits a diviner and asks them about anything, their Salah (Prayer) will not be accepted for forty nights. (Related by Muslim in his Sahih [Book of Authentic Hadith]) This Hadith not only applies to diviners, but to soothsayers, astrologers, and sorcerers too. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, Anyone who resorts to a soothsayer and believes what they say has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad. (Related by the compilers of the Sunan [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Al-Tirmidhy, and Al-Nasa'y]) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.