The Blessings of the Ocean and a Fisherman's Doubts.
In the vast ocean, fishermen like Bang Jali, the sea master from Bawean, often find themselves faced with a dilemma. One day, Bang Jali was lucky enough to catch a shark, but his joy was hindered by doubt: is this shark halal to consume?
Questioning the Mind
This question is not only Bang Jali's, but also that of many people who wonder, "Is it permissible to eat sharks?"
A Soothing Answer
According to existing teachings, sharks are permissible to eat because they fall under the category of animals that live in water. However, there are a few opinions stating their prohibition, which are often rejected by the majority of scholars, making these opinions known as Muqabil al-Ashah.
Supportive References
In the books "حاشية إعانة الطالبين" and "كتاب حياة الحيوان الكبرى," it is mentioned that consuming sharks is essentially allowed. Even Sheikh Jamaluddin al-Asnawi and Sheikh Muhibbuddin al-Tabari have issued fatwas supporting this. Imam Shafi'i and the Quran itself have indicated that everything from the sea is halal, including sharks.
References:
(حاشية إعانة الطالبين 2/ 401)
(قوله: على الاصح فيهما) This means that the non-prohibition of sharks and the hammerheads is based on the correct opinion about them, and the opposing opinion asserts their prohibition.
(قوله: قال في المجموع إلخ) This is a statement from Fath al-Jawad: and he argued about it in al-Majmu', saying: the correct and relied-upon view is that all sea creatures are permissible to eat when dead, except for the frog.
(337 / 2 كتاب حياة الحيوان الكبرى)
[Conclusion]
Our Sheikh, Sheikh Jamaluddin al-Asnawi, may Allah have mercy on him, issued a fatwa permitting the consumption of sharks, and Sheikh Muhibbuddin al-Tabari confirmed this in his commentary. This is evidenced by the lack of disagreement on this matter.
At the end of Ibn al-Athir's work, there is a clear statement permitting it, but Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "It eats, but is not eaten," and perhaps he meant that it eats marine animals, but no one can eat it. Sharks are found in the Red Sea, where Pharaoh drowned, and they are also found near Al-Hajj's Obstacle, as mentioned earlier in the chapter on the neglected letters, in the discussion on the sawfish. The general consensus, the explicit statement of Imam Shafi'i, and the Noble Quran indicate the permissibility of eating sharks, as they are fish and cannot live outside of water. Al-Nawawi mentioned in his commentary on Al-Muhadhab that the correct view is that everything in the sea is halal, and what the companions exempted are those that can live outside of water.
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