Is it permissible to catch fish using electricity?

Allah the Almighty says in the Qur'an regarding sea creatures:

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُ مَتَاعًا لَكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

“(O believers!) The game of the sea and its food have been made lawful for you and for travelers as provision.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The water of the sea is pure and its dead (animals) are lawful.” [1]

According to the scholars of the Hanafi school, the “sea creatures” mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah refer to those that fall under the category of fish. That is, apart from fish that die on their own and float to the surface, it is permissible to eat both the dead and live of any fish-like creature.

There are various methods of fishing. Some are in accordance with Sharia, while others are not. Therefore, a fisherman should use methods that comply with Sharia. It is not right to seek Allah’s blessings through sinful means. Allah the Almighty says in the Qur'an:

كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا مِنْ رِزْقِ اللهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

“Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not go about the earth spreading corruption.” [2]

One method of fishing that has become widespread recently is using electricity. When the voltage is high, the fish die and float to the surface; if the voltage is low, the fish may not die but become stunned, making them easy to catch as they cannot swim properly.

There are several harms in catching fish with electricity:

• It tortures and kills the fish in a painful way. Since Islam is a religion of mercy, such actions do not comply with the requirements of our Sharia. Even when slaughtering animals, our Sharia commands us to do so in the best manner. The Messenger of Allah said: “Allah has prescribed excellence in all things. So when you slaughter, slaughter well; sharpen your blade and spare suffering to the animal.” [3]

• It threatens the present and future of all aquatic life in rivers and lakes, reducing fish stocks. As a result of electric fishing, large and small fish, eggs, aquatic plants, and worms all die. Even the surviving fish may lose the ability to spawn. The hadith says:

لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ

“There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” [4]

In conclusion, although it is technically permissible to eat fish caught with electricity, due to the risk of destroying aquatic life, it is not allowed. [5]

Department of Sharia and Fatwa

• [1] Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood.

• [2] Surah al-Baqarah, 60.

• [3] Imam Muslim.

• [4] Imam Ahmad.

• [5] https://www.dar-alifta.org/ar/ViewFatwa.aspx?ID=13266&LangID=1&