Question:
I would like to know if the YUM YUM Sausage coming from Trinidad is Halaal or Not. I would also like to know if it is that crab meat is halaal, and if it is, are all crab meat halaal? As you know there are two types of crab meat one that lives in the land and sea crab.
Answer:
So far we have not identified the Yum Yum sausage as halal.
Regarding the crab meat, due to the fact that there is no clear cut evidence regarding its ruling in the Quraan or Sunnah, the early jurists of Islam have investigated it to arrive at a decisive statement. Seeing that the ability to investigate differ in individuals, there have been differences of opinion regarding the Sea Crab. Some of the jurists and Imams of Fiqh have allowed it saying that it is permissible (like Imam Shafi and Imam Malik). Others like Imam Abu Hanifa have disallowed it, saying that it is not permissible. Each has their proofs and arguments.
Having looked at their proofs, I have found the argument of Imam Abu Hanifa to be stronger than the others and have considered his opinion to be more precautious to follow.
No one from among the former and latter jurists of Islam has allowed the consumption of the land crab, they have all considered it not permissible.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan