Slaughtering a fish.
Q. A non muslim asked me why we do not halal a fish and how come all fishes are edible. I know that it was said in the quran that all fishes are halal and I believe this but how would I answer this person?
A. The law of Islamic slaughter is given to those animals/birds that have flowing blood. In this case, a Muslim is required to cut the necessary veins to allow the blood to drain from the animals/birds. At the time of cutting the veins/vessels, one is required to call Allah’s name. Fish does not have flowing blood and it dies on its own from the time it comes out of the water. For this reason, there is no need to cut any vessel to drain the blood (since it does not have blood). The Prophet Muhammad (S.A) also told us that from that which dies on its own, and is halaal for us (the Muslim) is the fish.
Based on these explanations, fish is exempted from the law of slaughtering and there is no requirement to ‘halaal’ it to be consumed.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan