Is Lobster Halal? A Comprehensive Guide

There is much debate among Muslim scholars and on social media regarding seafood consumption. This debate has created confusion among common people about whether lobster is halal or haram for Muslims, as lobsters are not regarded as actual fish.

The short answer of this question “is lobster halal” is yes. Because everything from the sea is considered Halal unless it is dangerous or unsuitable for health. This is mentioned in the Quran. According to the majority’s opinions, lobster being a seafood is halal. However, it also depends on one’s understanding of Islam.

                                 "أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ ٱلْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُۥ مَتَـٰعًۭا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ"  
"It is lawful for you to hunt and eat seafood, as a provision for you and for travellers"
Al-Maidah 5:96

If you still need clarification about the permissibility of lobster, let’s explore this topic in detail and learn the viewpoints of different Islamic schools of thought.

A lobster is a crustacean and not an actual fish. It looks like shrimps, crabs, and barnacles. It gives buds a less fishy and sweet taste and is a major source of selenium. And because of its delicious and addictive taste, it is a reason for debate among Muslims for its Halal status. Muslims can enjoy this delicious meal. It is forbidden in Hanafis and Shias only.

Some Islamic scholars believe that lobster is halal because lobster is a part of seafood. However, some Islamic scholars believe that lobster is not halal as it is not a part of seafood but a group of crustaceans. Different Islamic scholars have different opinions about lobsters. It is best for individuals to check the status of halal and haram according to their Islamic school of thought.

In Islam, all type of food and drinks falls into three categories:

1:Halal

Halal is an Arabic word that means permissible or lawful. It includes certain meats, fruits, and vegetables.

2:Haram

Haram is the reversed form of Halal, which means forbidden or unlawful for Muslims. Alcohol and pork is the example of Haram

3:Mushbooh

Anything with an unknown source is mushbooh. Mushbooh is also an Arabic term meaning, doubtful, questionable, or suspected. Eatables or drinks are mushbooh if their halal or haram status is not clear according to the Quran and Sunnah. What makes food halal? For a food, to be Halal it must fulfil the criteria given below:

Source: The food should be from halal sources. pork by products, mirin, sake, and alcohol are strictly banned in Islam.

Slaughtering of Animal: Animals should be slaughtered with minimal pain and in the name of Allah. If an animal is not slaughtered properly as per Islamic dietary laws, it is Haram.

Preparation: Food preparation, processing, and storing should be done in a clean environment and utensils.

Ingredients: All ingredients, additives, flavor enhancers, and condiments should be halal.

Cross-contamination: Food should not be in contact with haram substances during making, processing, packaging, and transporting.

Lobster is haram in Shia Islam. According to their point of view, lobster is not a fish. It should be avoided. They believe that only fishes with scale are halal.

Hanafi Muslims follow Imam Abu Hanifa. In this Islamic perspective, eating lobster is not permissible for Muslims. In Hanafism, extreme practices are avoided, so this school of thought is regarded as the most open one.
But when it comes to the permissibility of lobster for Muslims, it is not allowed. So, if you are a follower of this Fiqah, avoid consuming lobsters.

There are four schools of thought in Sunnism. Except for Hanafi school, others believe that all sea game is halal unless it is poisonous.

The Shafi Fiqah is one of the important branches of Sunni Islam. They believe that lobster is Halal as it is a seafood.

Deobandis lies within Suni Islam and follows the Hanafi school.
Followers of this school strictly adhere to Islam, and like Hanafis, they also agree that lobster is not halal for Muslims.

Islamqa is a famous website that gives answers to questions related to Islam. According to their QA sessions, all seafood is halal, including lobster. However, they also mentioned that sea animals kike crocodiles, frogs, turtles, and otters are not permissible for Muslims to eat.

Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk is a Zimbabwean Islamic speaker. According to him, everything from the sea is halal for Muslims. Don’t block what Allah has allowed.

This article was about lobster’s halal status. There are different opinions from different scholars. It is halal if you follow Shafi, Maliki, or Hanabali schools of thought. Lobster is haram in Hanafi and Shia Islamic law.

Now you have enough information to make your own decision about eating lobster. The last ruling is of one’s own heart. If you feel comfortable, eat lobsters and avoid them if you are uneasy. True piety (Taqwa) demands avoiding things you are unsure about.