Q 2: Is it permissible to slaughter pigeons purchased for food inside Makkah? Q 3: Is it permissible for a person to buy pigeons from Jeddah and bring them to Makkah where they are slaughtered and eaten? Is there any sin on the person who does this? Is it also permissible to raise pigeons at one's home?Q 4: Is it permissible to eat the meat of a gazelle which is bought from Abha and raised in Makkah for a long time before it is slaughtered and served as food for students? (Part No. 22; Page No. 513)

A: If a non-Muhrim (one who is not in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) hunts or buys pigeons or gazelles or any other animals or birds outside the holy precincts of the Haram like Jeddah or Abha or any other city then takes it to Makkah, it will be permissible for him to sell, slaughter and eat their meat or let others eat with him. This is the most preponderant view which is attributed to Malik, Al-Shafi`y and Dawud. It was authentically reported from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he had a little brother called Abu `Umayr. He had a little nightingale with which he used to play before it died. Whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by `Umayr, he would ask: O Abu `Umayr! What did the nightingale do? Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. Although Abu `Umayr used to play with the nightingale, being a type of game, in the holy precincts of Al-Madinah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not disapprove of it. The prohibition only applies to the game hunted by a Muhrim (pilgrim in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) or the game which is hunted inside the holy precincts of the Haram.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.