Question
We have observed that some restaurants have been certified by various Halal bodies who also serve Calamari (squid and other sea animals) which is understand is Makruh in the Hanafi Mazhab. We also acknowledge that sea animals are Taahir.
My question is that although the sea animal is Taahir, there is the very real possibility of cross contamination via some crumbs/particles of the sea animal breaking off the sea animal during frying/grilling etc and attaching to the meat/veg. Would it still be permissible for a Hanafi to eat at such a place knowing that his food could very possibly be contaminated?
Answer
We would advise you not to eat at such places to avoid all sorts of doubts. It is true that those animals that are born in water, live in water and die in water do not contaminate the water, hence they will also not contaminate the food that they touch. If one does find particles of this sea food that a Hanafi cannot consume, he can put it aside and eat the rest of the food on condition that it was not cooked with the same food.
Although the oil or water in which such sea food is fried or cooked is not impure but it definitely has particles of that seafood. We should not forget that particles include the moisture in the body of that seafood from fats to the other liquid content of its body which fuses into the oil or water during frying or cooking. This contaminates the oil or water. If the restaurant doesn’t separate their oil or water for fish and other seafood, a person should not eat at such a place.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
وموت ما يعيش في الماء فيه لا يفسده كالسمك والضفدع والسرطان (اللباب مع مختصر القدوري 1/32 دار الحديث)
كذا في )البناية مع الهداية 1/22 دار الكتب العلمية – بيروت، لبنان(
وكذا في (البحر الرائق شرح كنز الدقائق 1/159 دار الكتب العلمية بيروت – لبنان)