By: Dr. KH. Asrorun Niam Sholeh, M.A.
(Chairman of mui fatwa)
Question:
Assalamu'alaikum wr. Wb.
In certain seasons, in a number of areas in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta Special Region and around Wonogiri, Central Java, we can easily find fried locust traders on the side of the road. They sell fried grasshoppers as snacks as well as as side dishes.
For those who are not used to consuming it, of course, it feels strange when they hear that there are fried grasshoppers to eat. But for those who are used to it, fried grasshoppers are said to taste good, they taste similar to fried shrimp.
Considering that locusts are not commonly consumed animals, I still doubt the halalness of such food. Please be willing to explain the law of eating fried locusts (or locusts cooked with various types of processed) in Islamic law. Are grasshoppers among the animals that are kosher to consume?
Thanks for the answer and explanation.
Wassalamu'alaikum wr. Wb.
M. Paradise
Klaten, Central Java
Answer:
Waalaikumsalam wr. Wb.
Thank you for the question Mr. Paradise. We can explain that fried grasshopper is a snack that is quite popular in a number of regions, especially in Yogyakarta. For those who usually consume it, fried grasshoppers are often used as snacks or even side dishes that are eaten with rice and chili sauce.
Locusts are a type of insect. In the dead state it belongs to the category of kosher carcasses consumed, as well as fish. In particular, the Qur'an does not mention the locust monastery. However, the hadith of Ibn Umar ra. states that grasshoppers are among the animals that are allowed to be consumed.
"It was justified for us two carcasses and two blood. The two carcasses that were justified were fish and locusts. Whereas the two bloods that are justified are the heart and the spleen." (H.R. Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Ad-Daru Quthni and At-Tirmidzi).
The Word of Allah Swt. states, "It is Allah who made all that is on earth for you all" (Q.S. Al-Baqarah (2): 29). Another verse states, "Have you not noticed indeed God has subdued for your (interests)what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and perfected for you his ni'mat born and mind" (Q.S. Luqman : 20).
Hadith of the Prophet saw.: "Anything that is justified by Allah in His book (the Qur'an) is halal, anything that He forbids, the law is haram, and anything that Allah keeps/does not explain the law, is forgiven. For that accept His forgiving, for God never forgets anything" (H.R. Al-Hakim).
Fatwa of the Indonesian Ulema Council Number Kep-13 / MUI / IV / Year 2000 concerning the Eating and Cultivation of Worms and Crickets, placing locusts like crickets, which is a kind of insect that can be (mubah / halal) consumed as long as it does not cause losses (mudharat).
With reference to the Qur'an and the aforementioned hadith, it captures and cultivates locusts to take advantage of, for example to be eaten or sold, the law is permissible (mubah, halal). That's our answer, thank you.
Wassalamua'alaikum wr. Wb.
