Are Lobsters Halaal to consume according to Hanafi Fiqh?
Answer:
As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh
We acknowledge the receipt of your query and our response is as follows:
Firstly we should remember that according to the Hanafi Fiqh, it is not permissible to eat anything from the sea except fish.
(References: Raddul Muhtaar; pg 371 vol 9, Fatawa Hindiyyah pg 289 vol 5)
A lobster is not from a fish family, the experts define it as a large marine crustacean with a cylindrical body, stalked eyes, and the first of its five pairs of limbs modified as pincers. (Oxforddictionary) Hence it would not be permissible to consume lobster according to Hanafi Fiqh.
AND ALLAH TA’AALA KNOWS BEST
Ibrahim Kureshi