Can I Burn a Dead Possum to Deter Other Possums from Destroying Crops?

Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: Certain pests (possums in particular) eat and destroy crops in our area. One of the most effective ways to deter them is to burn a dead possum, then sprinkle the ashes around the fruit trees.

Would it be permissible?

Answer: Assalamu alaykum

It would be permitted to burn a dead animal if there is some benefit in doing so. However, as you are probably aware, this is clearly prohibited if the animal is alive due to the statement of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), “None punishes with fire except the Lord of fire.” [Bukhari]

[Ustadh] Salman Younas

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Salman Younas graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies. After studying the Islamic sciences online and with local scholars in New York, Ustadh Salman moved to Amman. There he studies Islamic law, legal methodology, belief, hadith methodology, logic, Arabic, and tafsir.