Definition, Ruling & Evidence

**1. Definition:** **Linguistically:** Sayd (صَيْد) is a verbal noun meaning to catch prey by cunning and stealth - whether edible or not. It is also used for the animal caught (the quarry). **Legally:** Catching a permissible, wild-natured animal that is not owned and cannot be reached [for slaughter]. **Wild (wahsh):** Any non-domesticated land animal. --- **2. Legality of Hunting:** Hunting is **permissible (mubah)**. **Evidence from Quran:** - "Lawful for you are animals of grazing livestock except for what is announced to you - not making hunting lawful while you are in ihram" [Al-Ma'idah: 1] - "And when you have come out of ihram, then hunt" [Al-Ma'idah: 2] **Evidence from Sunnah:** Adi ibn Hatim narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "If you release your trained dog and mention Allah's name over it, then eat [what it catches]" [Bukhari & Muslim]. --- **3. Condition:** This is when hunting is for one's need. **If hunting is merely for play and amusement** - it is **disliked** because: - It is frivolous - The Prophet ﷺ forbade making animals targets for sport [Bukhari & Muslim] - meaning: using them as targets for shooting practice.