Question: 2nd of Rabi-ul-Awal 1320 a.h.
What do the learned Ulama have to say about the issue of whether it is permissible to eat shrimp or not? Is it Makrooh or Haraam. Kindly sign and stamp this answer.

Answer:
In our school of thought, (meaning the school of thought as outlined by Imam Azam, Imam Abu Hanifah radi Allahu anhu) it is considered as Haraam to eat any animal which lives in water except fish. Therefore, it is quite apparent that those who do not consider shrimp to be part of the fish species would certainly consider it Haraam to consume.

However, this servant has also seen its explanation in various dictionaries and in books which explain the different species of animals.

In the “Qamus” it is stated that, “Arbiyaan which is with a hamza and a zer pronoun is a type of fish which is like an insect.”

In the “Sahih” and in “Taajul Uroos” it is stated that, “Arbiyaan is like an insect which is a whitish fish and is found in (places) like Basrah.”

In the “Siraaheh” it is stated that, “Arbiyaan is a type of fish.”

In the “Muntahiyul Arb” it is stated that, “Arbiyaan is a type of fish which is called “Jingha” in hindi”.

In “Tazkiratul Daud” and “Antaaki” it is explained that, “Rubiyaan, (the plural of Arbiyaan) is a type of fish which is found in Iraq and in the red sea. It is reddish and looks like crab which has many feet. However, there is more meat in it.”

In the “Hayaatul Haywaanul Kubra” it is stated that, “Rubiyaan is a reddish type of fish which is very small.”

After explaining this, it should stand to reason that it should be Halaal because it is also a fish. However, there are many diverse opinions of the Ulama whether or not it is a fish or merely something which resembles a fish. There is also no absolute decision from the Ulama about the permissibility and the non-permissibility of eating such items.

Therefore, in this case, it is better to refrain from something which has a doubt attached to it.

His sinful servant.
Ahmed Raza