FatwaFederal TerritoriesSocial & Contemporary Issues
BAYAN LINNAS SIRI KE-341: HUKUM MELEPASKAN IKAN BANDARAYA KE DALAM SUNGAI
What is the ruling on releasing suckermouth catfish (ikan bandaraya) from an aquarium into a river when it is known to threaten other aquatic life?
Short answer
Releasing the ikan bandaraya into a river while knowing the risk of harm is forbidden (haram).
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
- Bayan Linnas
- Topic
- Social & Contemporary Issues
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Releasing the ikan bandaraya into a river while knowing the risk of harm is forbidden (haram). The widespread presence of this species can damage the environment, and the act contradicts Islamic principles that prohibit wrongdoing and corruption on land and at sea. Those who released the fish before learning of its harm are excused because they lacked knowledge.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Hukum melepaskan ikan bandaraya ke sungai dalam keadaan mengetahui risiko kemudaratannya adalah haram.
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. “BAYAN LINNAS SIRI KE-341: HUKUM MELEPASKAN IKAN BANDARAYA KE DALAM SUNGAI”, 11 March 2026. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/bayan-linnas/6538-bayan-linnas-siri-ke-341-hukum-melepaskan-ikan-bandaraya-ke-dalam-sungai. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-releasing-suckermouth-catfish-into-river/