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Subject : Ruling of Islamic Law on Feeding Birds and Animals with Worms and Insects
Fatwa Number : 4015
Date : 23-10-2025
Classified : Foods & Drinks
Fatwa Type : Search Fatawaa

Question :

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on manufacturing animal feed by cultivating and breeding earthworms and black soldier fly larvae as a protein-rich food source to be mixed with feed?



The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

According to the consensus of the jurists, there is no prohibition in feeding birds and animals with live worms and insects. Live worms and insects are pure. Imam Ibn Qasim al-Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "All animals are pure except for the dog, the pig, and what is born from them or from one of them—even with a pure animal. His wording confirms the purity of worms generated from impurities, and such is the case." [Fath al-Qareeb, p. 58]

As for feeding them dead worms and insects, there is no prohibition according to the majority of jurists. However, the esteemed Shafi’i scholars hold a dissenting opinion, considering it disliked (makruh), because in their view, creatures without flowing blood do not become impure upon death. Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Hanbali, may Allah have mercy on him, stated: "Anything that does not have flowing blood, such as the land animals or sea creatures mentioned by al-Khiraqi—like leeches, worms, crabs, and the like—does not become impure upon death, and water does not become impure if they die in it." [Al-Mughni, Vol. 1/P.32]

Regarding the permissibility of incorporating these worms into animal feed, it depends on the quantity present. If the feed is entirely or predominantly composed of worms, it is disliked due to their impurity. Shaykh al-Islam Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "It is disliked to feed an animal that is eaten [by humans] with impurities." [Tuhfat al-Muhtaj, Vol.9/P.386] However, if the impurity is minimal and the pure components predominate, there is no prohibition in feeding it to animals, provided that it is established by experts that it causes no harm to human health. If it is proven harmful, it becomes prohibited by Islamic law.

In conclusion, there is no prohibition in feeding poultry and animals with worms and insects, provided it is established by experts that they cause no harm to humans. If harm is proven, they become prohibited for that reason. And Allah the Most High knows best.






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