Are Truffles Harvested by Dogs or Pigs Haram?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Are truffles haram if harvested by dogs or pigs, and does touching them transfer impurity?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Allah (Most High) says,

“He has forbidden you only the Mayta (dead animals), and blood, and the flesh of swine…” [Quran,  2:173] and “…“for that surely, is impure” [Quran, 6:145]

Truffles, as a type of fungus, are generally permissible (halal) to consume. However, the method of harvesting can affect their permissibility.

In Islamic law, both pigs and dogs are considered impure (najis). [Nawawi, al-Minhaj]

Therefore, if a pig or a dog is used to locate and dig up truffles, there may be concerns about impurity transfer from these animals, which are considered impure due to their saliva and contact with their bodies.

In this case, if pigs or dogs harvest truffles, their impurity may transfer to them. While truffles are not inherently haram, they would be considered impure if harvested by either of these animals. They may also spread filth, and Allah knows best.

Conclusion

• Truffles themselves are halal, but if harvested by pigs or dogs, they may be considered impure due to the animals’ impurity.
• Touching truffles that pigs or dogs have contaminated would transfer impurities.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.