Is It Permissible to Remove Pests or Other Harmful Animals?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum,

Can animals that are pests and varmints be hunted for the purpose of improving marksmanship, entertainment and reducing these pests? These animals include, but are not limited, to crows and wild hogs.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

Yes, removing pests or other harmful animals is a shari`ah countenanced reason for hunting. Entertainment on the other hand is not. [Ibn Malak, Munyat al-Sayyadin]

This is understood from the generality of the words of Allah Most High, “… when you have completed the rites of pilgrimage you may hunt” [5.2]

And Allah alone knows best.

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani