FatwaFederal TerritoriesFood & Halal
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-479 : HUKUM MEMAKAN DAGING CAPYBARA (BABI AIR)
Is it permissible to eat capybara, also called water pig, given that it only eats plants?
Short answer
The capybara is a land-dwelling herbivore, whereas the water pig mentioned by earlier scholars refers to an aquatic creature such as the dolphin.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Food & Halal
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The capybara is a land-dwelling herbivore, whereas the water pig mentioned by earlier scholars refers to an aquatic creature such as the dolphin. Although land animals are generally permissible and the name pig does not affect the ruling, this fatwa leans towards prohibiting the capybara because it carries parasites and diseases that harm the person who eats it. It is also regarded as repulsive by some communities. The conclusion is that eating capybara is forbidden.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Berdasarkan kepada perbahasan dan perbincangan di atas, kami menyimpulkan bahawa capybara haram dimakan kerana memudaratkan pemakannya.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-479 : HUKUM MEMAKAN DAGING CAPYBARA (BABI AIR)”, 1 April 2020. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/4403-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-479-hukum-memakan-daging-capybara-babi-air. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-eating-capybara-water-pig/