What is the Ruling of Catch-and-Release Fishing if it is Done to Sharpen Skills, not for Fun or Sports?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I’m 18, in the summer after high school, before college. I went fishing today with friends for fun and to learn a skill I wanted to learn. The place only allows catch-and-release fishing, considered haram by some scholars. I spent over an hour learning how to minimize harm to the fish. I plan to enjoy it this summer and do it occasionally to stay sharp, not for fun or sport. What’s the Hanafi ruling on this?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I trust you are well. Thank you for seeking religious guidance regarding an interesting activity.

It is impermissible to engage in catch-and-release fishing, even if it is done to sharpen skills rather than for fun or sport, because it often leads to the death of the fish.

Catch and release can harm fish, causing injuries, oxygen deprivation, stress, and death, and up to 20% die from these traumas. Survivors may have reduced feeding and growth.

Living Creature as Target

Sa‘id ibn Jubayr (Allah be pleased with him) said: Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) passed by some young men of Quraysh who had set a bird as a target and were shooting at it. They had arranged that the owner of the bird would receive every arrow that missed the target. When they saw Ibn Umar, they dispersed.

Ibn Umar said, “Who did this? May Allah curse the one who did this! Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) cursed whoever uses a living creature as a target.” [Muslim]

“Every act of suffering without causing any benefit is disliked.” [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

One must always consider whether an action has a valid Sharia basis or a rational benefit that outweighs or justifies the harm.

Legal Harvest or Alternative Sharpening Skill Activities

An alternative would be to target fish where legal harvest is allowed, keeping and eating them rather than releasing them. Also, you should look into other activities that sharpen your skills. One needs to consider how much time is spent in a place, which could be better spent on active recreational activities that build many skills.

And Allah knows best.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Related

• Catch and Release Is No Fun for the Fish
• Is It Unlawful To Hunt Animals and Insects for Fun?
• What Will Be the Punishment for Those Who Are Cruel to Animals?

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Currently, he resides in the UK with his wife and is interested in reading and gardening.