KUALA LUMPUR – Penguins are cute, but are they halal?
According to former religious minister Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, penguins are both.
Taking to Twitter early this morning, Zulkifli shared a post that questioned if eating penguin meat is permissible in Islam.
The former minister, answering the question, said penguins are both cute and halal.
However, before anyone considers whether penguin meat goes well with a curry or sambal, Zulkifli pointed out that some penguin species are endangered.
“Cute and halal. However, there are some species such as the emperor penguin, which are endangered.
“Let’s altogether protect these animals,” Zulkifli tweeted.
Comel dan halal. Namun ada sebahagian spesiesnya seperti emperor penguin sedang terancam. Bersama kita lindunginya. https://t.co/5JQJFmwZDW
— Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (@drzul_albakri) January 24, 2022
His post generated heated a debate on Twitter with Muslim netizens pointing out that penguins are animals that live in two worlds, where consumption of such meat is considered haram (forbidden) among the community.
“Is it not an animal from two worlds? Adui... I’m confused,” @trp_young replied to Zulkifli’s tweet.
Itu bukan haiwan dua alam ke? Adui... konpius aku....
— ●TRP● (@trp_young) January 25, 2022
Replying to @trp_young, @MusRules points out that penguins are probably similar to ducks.
“It is a type of bird like the duck most likely, because it doesn’t sleep underwater like crocodiles.
“Penguins merely go into the water for a little while to catch fish,” @MusRules said.
Dia sejenis burung atau macam itik kot, sebab dia tak boleh tidur bawah air macam buaya, dia masuk kejap2 je untuk tangkap ikan.
— ??? ?????? (@MusRules) January 25, 2022
It should be noted that species such as the emperor penguin are known to spend a significant amount of time in the water, given they swim hundreds of miles during their migration period.
Meanwhile, another netizen asked Zulkifli what the permissible way in Islam is to slaughter penguins, given the species’ neck may not be entirely visible.
“Given it is tough to determine where the penguin’s neck is, maybe you can advise on the right way to slaughter a penguin,” @AlimudinHari tweeted.
Dato Seri, memandangkan sukar nak tahu bahagian leher penguin, mungkin boleh tunjuk kaedah sembelihan yang betul.
— HarisAlimudin (@AlimudinHaris) January 25, 2022
However, @anas4fifi suggested it may be something best left unknown.
“Let it be unknown.
“Just know that the rule for slaughter is, you have to slice both arteries and cut off respiration for all halal animals,” @anas4fifi said. – The Vibes, January 25, 2022
Let it be unknown lah.
— anas (@anas4fifi) January 25, 2022
Just know that feqah untuk sembelih, perlu *potong urat merih dua2 belah & putus salur nafas (halkum) untuk kira sah* applies utk semua binatang halal
