isithalal.food

Is Turtle 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

Turtle meat is eaten in some cuisines, and fatwa bodies have answered the question both ways.

Next step Scholars differ on turtle. Malaysia's Federal Territory Mufti, for the Shafi'i school, and Darul Iftaa South Africa, for the Hanafi school, rule it not permissible, while the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) ruled the soft-shelled turtle Halal if it is slaughtered according to Islamic law. Follow the view you hold, and note that MUI advises farmed rather than wild turtles, since many species are protected. How to verify
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Scholarly differences

The disagreement is about what kind of animal a turtle is. For the Shafi'i fatwa cited here, it lives on land and in water and is counted among the khaba'ith, the repugnant things the Qur'an forbids (7:157).

For the Hanafi fatwa, it is a reptile, and reptiles are not eaten. MUI's fatwa treats the soft-shelled turtle as an edible animal (ma'kul al-lahm) that needs slaughter like other land animals. MUI's own article on the question also notes that Maliki scholars counted the turtle as Halal.

What decides the answer

  • Following the Hanafi fatwa (Darul Iftaa South Africa)

    not permissible

  • Following MUI Fatwa 51/2019

    soft-shelled turtle Halal if slaughtered according to sharia

  • Protected species

    avoid; MUI advises farmed animals

  • Following the Shafi'i fatwa (Federal Territory Mufti, Malaysia)

    not Halal

How to verify

  1. Decide which view you follow: the Shafi'i and Hanafi fatwas cited here say no; MUI says yes for the soft-shelled turtle.
  2. If you follow MUI, the turtle must be slaughtered according to sharia.
  3. Many turtles, especially sea turtles, are protected; MUI advises farmed rather than wild animals.

Quick checks

  • Shafi'i and Hanafi fatwas: not permitted.
  • MUI: soft-shelled turtle Halal if slaughtered.
  • Many species are protected.

Why this ruling

Turtle meat is eaten in soups and stews in some cuisines, and in Indonesia the soft-shelled turtle (labi-labi) has drawn enough attention for the Indonesian Ulema Council to rule on it. Fatwa bodies have answered the Halal question in different ways.

The fatwas that say no

The Federal Territory Mufti's Office in Malaysia, following the Shafi'i school, says it is not Halal to eat animals that live on both land and water, and quotes Imam al-Rafi'i describing the turtle as filthy and disgusting to eat.[1] Darul Iftaa South Africa, answering for the Hanafi school, reaches the same result by another route: it is not permissible to eat reptiles, and the turtle is a reptile.[2]

The fatwa that says yes

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), in Fatwa No. 51 of 2019, ruled that the soft-shelled turtle is an edible animal, Halal on condition that it is slaughtered according to sharia. MUI's halal body also notes the Maliki view that turtles are Halal animals, and advises the food industry to use farmed rather than wild turtles because the species is protected.[3]

What to do

Follow the view you hold. If you follow the fatwas that forbid it, avoid turtle altogether. If you follow MUI, the turtle must be slaughtered according to sharia, and protected species should not be eaten at all. For other animals that live in or near water, see Frog and Crocodile.

Where you'll find it

  • Turtle soup and stews
  • Soft-shelled turtle (labi-labi) dishes

Frequently asked questions

Is turtle Halal?
Scholars differ. Shafi'i and Hanafi fatwas cited here say turtle may not be eaten, while Indonesia's MUI ruled the soft-shelled turtle Halal if it is slaughtered according to Islamic law.
Why do some scholars forbid turtle?
The Shafi'i fatwa says animals that live on both land and water are not Halal and calls the turtle repugnant to eat; the Hanafi fatwa says the turtle is a reptile, and reptiles are not eaten.
Does turtle need to be slaughtered?
In MUI's fatwa, yes: the soft-shelled turtle is Halal only if slaughtered according to sharia.

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. Al-Kafi #853: The ruling of eating seafood and turtle

    Federal Territory Mufti's Office, Malaysia Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: Malaysia (Shafi'i)

    18 October 2018. 'It is not halal to eat it which is animal that live on both land and water for they are filthy and disgusting.' Quotes Imam al-Rafi'i: the turtle 'is an animal that is considered as filthy and disgusting to be eaten'. Cites Qur'an 7:157.

  2. Are Muslims allowed to eat turtle meat since they live in sea water and land also?

    Darul Iftaa South Africa, Askimam (via IslamQA.org) Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: South Africa (Hanafi)

    Mufti Ismail Desai, checked by Mufti Ebrahim Desai: 'According to Shariah, it is not permissible for one to consume reptiles.' The turtle is a reptile, so its meat may not be eaten.

  3. Labi-Labi (Bulus) Goes Viral, What Is the Law of Consuming It?

    LPPOM MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council) Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: Indonesia

    19 February 2025. Cites MUI Fatwa No. 51 of 2019: soft-shelled turtles 'are animals that are halal for consumption (ma'kul al-lahmi) on condition that they are slaughtered according to sharia'. Notes the Maliki view that turtles may be hunted by a person in ihram as Halal animals, and recommends farmed rather than wild animals because the species is protected.

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