Eating Prawn and Crab

Question:

1. Is eating of crab allowed in islam.

2. Is eating of prawns allowed in islam.

3. Is eating of shark fish is allowed in islam.

Mufti: Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Hanooti

http://islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=X1NFlR

Answer:

Any type of seafood is edible by Islamic Law. Allah says: any catch of water animals is Halal for you (Surat Al-Maidah(#5), Verse 96).

Question:

Is there any evidence for the prohibition of crab as a food?

Mufti: Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqui

http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=x20cik

Answer:

There is no evidence for the prohibition of crab in the Qur’an and the Sunnah as food. What we know from the Qur’an is that all seafood is permissible. Allah says, in surah Ma’ida verse No. 96 “Lawful to you is the pursuit of water game, and its use for food.” And also the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said in a hadith “permissible for you for wu’du is the water of the sea and it’s food is permissible.” So what ever is edible from the water animals is permissible in Islam. Some jurist, however emphasize that seafood is only fish, and other water creatures are makruuh. But I am not aware of any evidence for this position.