Liability of a Hunter
Q1. In instances where an animal is shot and subsequently lost or it disappears, is it permissible to obligate the hunter to pay the full value of the animal, considering that the sale is concluded post-shooting?
A1. If the hunter shot the animal, the farmer can hold the hunter liable for creating harm to the animal. If the damage is small, then the farmer can obligate the hunter to pay for the damage. If the damage is such that it can lead to the death of the animal, then the farmer can obligate the hunter to pay for the entire animal.
Q2. If an animal is successfully hunted and retrieved, is it permissible to obligate the hunter to accept the animal, effectively removing their option to decline it? This appears to resemble a sale of Bay al-Munaabadha (difference being that, for example, in place of a stone, a bullet is used)?
A2. The Qiyas (analogy) made on Bay al-Munaabadha is incorrect. The reason is that in Bay al-Munaabadha, there is no harm caused on the item. When the hunter shoots the animal, harm is being caused, therefore, it cannot be classified as Bay al-Munaabadha.
Q3. If the aforementioned practices are deemed impermissible, please suggest a method which is acceptable?
A3. The hunter will make an agreement with the farmer that if he shoots the animal and causes any harm to it, he will pay only for the defect, and if the harm causes the animal to die, then he will pay the price of the animal, due to the demise of the animal.
(حَدَثَ عَيْبٌ آخَرُ عِنْدَ الْمُشْتَرِي) بِغَيْرِ فِعْلِ الْبَائِعِ، فَلَوْ بِهِ بَعْدَ الْقَبْضِ رَجَعَ بِحِصَّتِهِ مِنْ الثَّمَنِ وَوَجَبَ الْأَرْشُ وَأَمَّا قَبْلَهُ فَلَهُ أَخْذُهُ أَوْ رَدُّهُ بِكُلِّ الثَّمَنِ مُطْلَقًا
(الدر المختار مع رد المحتار 5/16)
Q4. 1. In present day hunting, farmers charge the full price of the animal, even if it may be a ‘small damage’. Will it be correct if the hunter agrees to pay the full price (not the value) of the animal?
Q5. Please explain how the Bay’ will be correct where the deal is conducted post-shooting? It appears to be the sale of carrion since the hunter has no choice in accepting or declining?
A5. Bay’ (sale) is contracted with Ijaab (offer) and Qabool (acceptance). When the farmer tells the hunter that he can come onto his farm and hunt whichever animal he wants, this is considered as Ijaab (offer), and by the hunter coming onto the farm to hunt the animal, is considered as Qabool (acceptance), and he will have to pay for it. Therefore, the hunter is not being forced into paying for the animal.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوٓا أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا أَنفُسَكُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا
(سورة النساء 29)
(الْبَابُ الْأَوَّلُ فِي تَعْرِيفِ الْبَيْعِ وَرُكْنِهِ وَشَرْطِهِ وَحُكْمِهِ وَأَنْوَاعِهِ) أَمَّا تَعْرِيفُهُ فَمُبَادَلَةُ الْمَالِ بِالْمَالِ بِالتَّرَاضِي كَذَا فِي الْكَافِي وَأَمَّا رُكْنُهُ فَنَوْعَانِ أَحَدُهُمَا الْإِيجَابُ وَالْقَبُولُ وَالثَّانِي التَّعَاطِي وَهُوَ الْأَخْذُ وَالْإِعْطَاءُ كَذَا فِي مُحِيطِ السَّرَخْسِيِّ
(الفتاوى العالمكيرية 3/2)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Muhammad Isa Ali
Date: 02 Muharram 1447 / 28 June 2025
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb