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Is Insects Halal?

Scholars differ on this one.

Scholarly difference
High confidence About this ruling

About this ruling

Condition
Recognised scholarly rulings differ
Evidence confidence
High means this page cites a named scriptural or scholarly source, retrieved 7 October 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
How we score High, Medium, and Low

Reviewed

The schools differ on eating insects.

Next step Locusts are Halal by hadith. Other insects, such as crickets and mealworms, are a difference between the schools: the Hanafis prohibit them, the Malikis permit them when killed for eating, and the Shafi'is and Hanbalis permit some and prohibit others. Follow your school. How to verify
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Scholarly differences

Egypt's Dar al-Ifta sets out the four positions and traces them to the meaning of khaba'ith in Qur'an 7:157: scholars who limit prohibition to what the texts name do not prohibit insects, while those who include what people find repulsive do.

The Malikis require insects, like locusts, to be killed by a means that causes death. Dar al-Ifta's own ruling allows insects and products made from them for medicinal use when proven beneficial and harmless, and otherwise forbids them. Locusts are permitted by hadith.

What decides the answer

  • Locusts

    Halal

  • Other insects, Hanafi

    not permitted

  • Other insects, Maliki

    permitted when killed for eating

  • Other insects, Shafi'i or Hanbali

    depends on the insect

How to verify

  1. Locusts: Halal.
  2. Crickets, mealworms and other insects: follow your school (Hanafi: no; Maliki: yes if killed for eating; Shafi'i and Hanbali: depends on the insect).
  3. Carmine, cochineal or E120 in a product is an insect ingredient too; see carmine.

Quick checks

  • Locusts: Halal.
  • Other insects: by school.
  • Carmine (E120) is an insect ingredient.

Why this ruling

Insects as food range from locusts and grasshoppers to cricket and mealworm powders, and carmine (E120) is an insect ingredient in many red foods.

Where the schools stand

Egypt's Dar al-Ifta summarises the positions: "A group of scholars such as the Hanafis maintained their prohibition, Malikis deemed them permissible and other scholars deemed them disliked. Shaf'i and Hanbali scholars prohibited the consumption of certain insects and permitted the consumption of others." The Malikis permit insects "provided they are slaughtered", which for an insect means killing it by any means that leads to its death.[1]

Why they differ

The Qur'an "prohibits for them what is bad (and impure)".[2] Scholars who limit that to what the texts name do not prohibit insects; those who include what people find repulsive do.[1] Dar al-Ifta's own ruling allows insects and products made from them for medicinal use when they are proven to treat disease or malnutrition without harm, and otherwise forbids them.

Locusts and carmine

Locusts are the exception: the hadith of Ibn Umar permits two kinds of dead meat, fish and locusts.[4] Carmine falls under the general rule, and fatwas following the majority view treat it as impermissible in food;[3] see carmine. For other animals the schools divide on, see escargot and frog.

Where you'll find it

  • Locusts and grasshoppers eaten whole; cricket and mealworm powders sold as protein ingredients

Frequently asked questions

Are insects Halal?
Locusts are. For other insects the schools differ: the Hanafis prohibit them, the Malikis permit them when killed for eating, and the Shafi'is and Hanbalis permit some and prohibit others.
Are crickets Halal?
It depends on your school. Crickets are not locusts, so they fall under the general insect disagreement.
Are locusts Halal?
Yes. The hadith of Ibn Umar names fish and locusts as the two kinds of dead meat that are permitted.
Is carmine an insect ingredient?
Yes. Carmine (E120) is made from cochineal insects, and the same disagreement applies.

Sources

Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.

Islamic / scriptural

  1. What is the ruling on eating insects? (fatwa 9397)

    Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: Egypt

    'Scholars have differed on the ruling on eating insects. A group of scholars such as the Hanafis maintained their prohibition, Malikis deemed them permissible and other scholars deemed them disliked. Shaf'i and Hanbali scholars prohibited the consumption of certain insects and permitted the consumption of others.' Malikis permit insects 'provided they are slaughtered', meaning killed by any means that leads to death. Ruling: permissible for medicinal purposes 'if it is proved that they treat diseases or malnutrition without producing any harmful side effects. Otherwise, they are forbidden.'

  2. Qur'an 7:157

    Qur'an Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: International

    'And prohibits for them what is bad (and impure)': the verse on khaba'ith that the insect debate turns on.

  3. The ingredient carmine (fatwa 90369)

    IslamWeb Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: International

    Applies the majority view that insects are not eaten to carmine, the red dye made from cochineal insects, and treats it as impermissible in food.

  4. Is Shark Meat Halal?

    Darul Iftaa (via IslamQA.org) Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: International

    Cites the hadith of Ibn Umar permitting two kinds of dead meat, fish and locusts.

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