Is Catfish Halal Haram?
In the name of Allah, most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
In the three schools of fiqh other than the Hanafis [namely Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali], the general ruling is that the produce of the sea is permitted.
According to the Hanafi school, whatever is known to be from the fish family will be permitted, and the rest is unlawful (Hidaya, 4/71).
So, what about catfish?
Keeping this principle in mind, it is evident that catfish is without a doubt permitted (halal) according to the other three schools of fiqh. However, according to the Hanafi school, this depends on whether it is considered a fish or not.
After researching into the catfish, the scholars mention that it is a special type of fish, thus lawful to eat it. (See the Encyclopaedia Britannica, for example.)
Some further information on this topic for you. Is Catfish Halal Haram?
There are a few species of catfish that live in saltwater. Hardheads and sail catfish are perhaps two of the most widely populated saltwater catfish along the coastal waters of Florida. They reside in both the Atlantic and more heavily in the Gulf of Mexico.
Also known as Saltwater Catfish, or Hardhead, the Hardhead Sea Catfish is one of the four species under the Ariopsis genus; it is primarily associated with its relative, the Gafftopsail Catfish (Bagre marinus).
The Hardhead Sea Catfish’s body is elongated and scale-free. Its caudal fin is forker. Its underside is white but it is often dirty gray on top with green or blue tones at times. It has four barbels under its chin, and two more at the edges of its mouth. These barbels help the Hardhead Sea Catfish find its prey. It has dorsal and pectoral fins which are supported by a barbed spine that is sharp and covered in slime.
And Allah knows best
Answered By: Shaykh Mufti Abu Yusha Yasin
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