Is Ostrich Halal?

Ostrich meat has become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy and tasty meat alternative. However, for Muslim consumers, an important question arises – is ostrich meat halal and allowed for consumption in Islam?

There is some debate among Muslim scholars regarding the halal status of ostrich meat in Islamic law. This article will explore the evidence around the permissibility of ostrich meat and eggs in Islam. We will look at:

  • The criteria for what makes something halal or haram in Islam
  • The scholarly evidence and opinions on ostrich being halal
  • The nutritional benefits of ostrich meat and eggs
  • How to properly cook ostrich meat

By the end, you will understand the reasoning that ostrich is considered permissible and why including it in a halal diet can be an excellent nutrition and flavor boost.

What makes something halal or haram in Islam?

In Islamic law, foods are classified as either halal (permissible) or haram (prohibited). The Quran provides clear guidance on what foods are prohibited:

“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which has been invoked the name of other than Allah.” (Quran 5:3)

Some other prohibited items mentioned in the Quran and Hadiths include alcohol, carnivorous animals, birds of prey, land animals without ears, and any food dedicated to idols.

The criteria for halal and haram foods can be summarized as:

Halal Haram
Allowed by Allah and His Messenger Prohibited by Allah and His Messenger
Pure, clean, wholesome Impure, unclean, harmful
Brings barakah (blessing) Brings sin

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“Verily, Allah is good and does not accept anything but what is good. And Allah commanded the believers as He commanded the Messengers by saying: ‘O Messengers, eat of the good foods and do good deeds.’” (Quran 23:51)

So in essence, permissibility is the default status for everything, unless there is clear evidence from Islamic sources that it is prohibited. This principle applies to ostrich meat as well.

Evidence that ostrich is halal

There are several pieces of evidence from Quran, Hadiths, and scholarly opinions indicating that ostrich meat is halal and permissible to eat:

  • No explicit prohibition – There is no verse in the Quran or any clear Hadith that directly declares ostrich meat as haram. It is not included among the prohibited categories of meat.

  • Opinion of scholars – Prominent Islamic scholars like Imam Shafi’i considered ostrich to be halal and permitted its meat.

    “Our companions unanimously agreed that it is permissible to eat ostriches, chickens…ducks, sand grouse, sparrows, larks, francolin and pigeons…” (Al-Umm, Imam Shafi’i)

  • Equivalence to halal animals – The companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم considered ostrich meat equivalent in value to goat meat, which indicates they permitted it.

    “If the muhrim catches an ostrich, then a sacrifice must be offered for that.” (Al-Umm, Imam Shafi’i)

  • Part of halal slaughter/hunting – Scholars included ostrich under their discussions on properly slaughtering animals and permitted hunting.

    “It should be cut in the neck if it has a short neck, and at the point where the neck meets the chest if it has a long neck, such as a…ostrich.” (Al-Muhalla, Ibn Hazam)

  • Hanafi school – The Hanafi school explicitly considers ostriches to be halal birds if slaughtered properly.

    “Our companions unanimously agreed that it is permissible to eat ostriches, chickens…ducks, sand grouse, sparrows, larks, francolin and pigeons…” (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, Al-Nawawi)

So the weight of evidence from Quran, Hadiths, and scholarly consensus points to ostrich being completely halal and permissible for consumption by Muslims.

Benefits of ostrich meat

Ostrich meat has emerged as a healthy and nutritious alternative to traditional meats like beef and lamb:

  • Low in fat – Ostrich meat is very lean and low in saturated fat and cholesterol compared to beef or lamb.

    Meat Total Fat (g per 3oz serving)
    Beef (18% fat) 16
    Lamb 17
    Ostrich 2

  • Rich in nutrients – It is an excellent source of iron, zinc, vitamin B6 and other essential vitamins and minerals.

    “Ostrich meat contains more iron than beef and provides all essential amino acids required by humans.” (2019 study)

  • Unique taste – Ostrich has a richer and more intense flavor compared to chicken or turkey. The taste is often described as somewhere between beef and venison.

    “Ostrich can best be described as having a taste somewhere between venison and beef, but closer to beef, with a juiciness and texture more like venison.” (Exotic Meats USA)

  • Versatile – It adapts well to most cooking methods like roasting, grilling, frying or stir-fries. Ground ostrich can seamlessly replace beef in dishes like burger patties, tacos, etc.

So ostrich offers a great nutritional profile, depth of taste, and versatility that makes it a smart choice for health-conscious halal consumers looking to add variety to their diets.

How to cook ostrich meat

Due to its leanness, ostrich meat can dry out quickly if overcooked. Here are some tips to cook it properly:

  • Use moist cooking methods – Braising, stewing, sautéing are great ways to keep ostrich meat tender and juicy. Grilling or pan frying works if slices are not too thick.

  • Marinate – Marinating ostrich steaks or fillets is highly recommended to impart flavor and moisture. Some good marinades are:

    • Lemon, herb and olive oil
    • Yogurt and spice marinade
    • Red wine and garlic

  • Don’t overcook – Ostrich should be cooked medium rare to medium doneness at most.

    Doneness Internal temp
    Rare 120-125 F
    Medium rare 130-135 F
    Medium 140-145 F

  • Slice against the grain – This ensures tenderness.

  • Add fat for ground ostrich – When making burgers or meatballs, add some fat from beef or lamb to prevent dryness.

  • Ideal cooking methods – Some techniques that work excellently for ostrich meat:

    • Stir frying
    • Kebabs or skewers
    • Pan seared steaks
    • Meatloaf
    • Steak tartare

With its unique flavor and texture, ostrich can be a delicious addition to the halal diet when cooked properly. The key is avoiding overcooking and keeping it moist.

Benefits of Ostrich Eggs

In addition to meat, ostrich eggs are also considered halal and provide unique nutritional benefits:

  • High in nutrients – Ostrich eggs contain all the major nutrients found in chicken eggs like protein, vitamins A, D, E, and B12, and minerals. But the concentration is much higher due to the larger size.

    Nutrient Ostrich Egg Chicken Egg
    Protein 28 g 6 g
    Riboflavin 2.83 mg 0.26 mg
    Folate 146 mcg 22 mcg

  • Powerhouse of antioxidants – Ostrich eggs have high levels of selenium, lutein, and zeaxanthin which can help reduce inflammation and risk of diseases.

    “Ostrich eggs contain higher antioxidant activity than chicken eggs.” (International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition)

  • May promote eye health – The antioxidants may help lower risks of eye disorders like macular degeneration and cataracts.

  • ** Useful for cooking and baking** – The thick shell makes ostrich eggs useful as single-serving containers for baking savory custards or omelets. The taste is similar to chicken eggs.

    “Ostrich eggs can be used to make scramble or boiled eggs. They can also be used in savory baking recipes like quiches or bread.” (Healthline)

So ostrich eggs can provide a concentrated dose of nutrition and antioxidants, in addition to their culinary uses. Moderation is key due to their high cholesterol content.

Is Ostrich Halal – FAQ

Is there a fatwa regarding the permissibility of ostrich meat?

Yes, there are fatwas that state the permissibility of consuming ostrich meat.

Are there any cases when Muslims are not allowed to consume ostrich meat?

No, there are no specific cases when Muslims are not allowed to consume ostrich meat. It is generally considered permissible.

What is the ruling on eating ostrich meat during Hajj?

There are no restrictions on consuming ostrich meat during Hajj. It is permissible to eat.

Is ostrich egg halal to consume?

Yes, ostrich eggs are also considered halal and can be consumed.

Can ostrich farms provide halal meat?

Yes, ostrich farms can provide halal meat as long as the proper Islamic slaughtering practices are followed.

Are there any specific blessings associated with ostrich meat?

There are no specific blessings mentioned regarding ostrich meat in Islamic texts. However, all food that is halal is considered a blessing from Allah.

Conclusion

In summary, there is strong evidence from Islamic sources indicating ostrich meat and eggs are halal and permissible to consume for Muslims:

  • Ostrich is not prohibited in the Quran or Hadiths
  • Scholars like Imam Shafi consider it clearly halal
  • Hanafi school allows it if slaughtered properly
  • Companions equated ostrich meat with goat which is halal

Additionally, ostrich offers excellent nutritional benefits as a healthy red meat alternative:

  • Very low in fat and cholesterol
  • Rich in iron, zinc, vitamins
  • Distinctive taste compared to other meats

When cooking ostrich meat, moist heat methods should be used and overcooking avoided to prevent dryness. Ideal techniques include:

  • Grilling
  • Kebabs
  • Pan searing
  • Braising
  • Stir frying

Ostrich eggs also provide concentrated amounts of protein, antioxidants, and other nutrients. They can be incorporated into cooking and baking for additional benefits.

In conclusion, both ostrich meat and eggs are considered permissible in Islam. Ostrich offers a flavorful, leaner red meat option and eggs provide a nutrient boost – giving Muslims more variety within a halal diet.