Q: A man told me that there is nothing called "the seven evil animals," but some Muslim brothers disagreed with him, saying that such evil animals are true and mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah.Respected shaykh, what are the names of the seven evil animals? Are they mentioned in the Qur'an or Sunnah? Please, advise. May Allah reward you with the best!

A: It is related by Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim in their Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, There are five kinds of animals that the Muhrim (pilgrim in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) should not kill: crows, kites, scorpions, rats, and mice, and the dog known for biting people. Another narration reads: Five are the (animals) that if one kills in the precincts of the Ka`bah or in the state of lhram entail no sin... In Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) of Abu Dawud and Al-Nasa'y, it is stated: Five animals whose killing in the precincts of the Ka`bah or in the state of Ihram entails no blame... (Part No. 26; Page No. 199) This Hadith indicates that there is no blame on the Muslim for killing such malicious animals, since they are harmful by nature. It does not matter whether they are killed in the precincts of the Ka`bah or not, by a pilgrim in the state of Ihram or otherwise.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!