Hyena: From the Perspective of Animal Physiology and its Impact on Jurists’ Disagreement

Abstract

This study examines the taxonomy and physiological characteristics of hyena species, drawing from specialized scientific literature. It also investigates Islamic legal texts on the permissibility of consuming hyena meat, presenting the spectrum of jurisprudential opinions. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research combines descriptive and analytical approaches to derive informed conclusions. Scientifically, hyenas are classified into four species: three are carnivorous predators with powerful jaws and aggressive scavenging behaviors, while the fourth—Proteles cristata (aardwolf)—feeds primarily on termites, larvae, and small rodents. Islamic scholars hold divergent views regarding the consumption of hyena meat. Proponents of permissibility rely on ẓannī (probabilistic) textual evidence, whereas opponents cite qatʿī (definitive) sources that prohibit the consumption of fanged predators. This divergence may be reconciled by acknowledging the taxonomic differences among hyena species. The study posits that the hyena referenced in early Islamic texts most likely refers to the aardwolf, a species that does not exhibit typical predatory behavior. Furthermore, the claim that hyenas are hybrids of wolves is scientifically unfounded, as such hybridization would result in offspring retaining heightened predatory instincts, not insectivorous feeding patterns. The study underscores the relevance of integrating scientific taxonomy into Islamic legal reasoning.