Answered by Sidi Fadi Qutub Zada
My question is regarding the eating of cartilage and also bone. I was eating cartilage in a piece of chicken and also happened to eat some of the bone whilst I was picking the bone clean of any meat (to avoid wasting the food). I was then told that this is not permissible (the eating of cartilage) and was given reasons that defied logic.
In the name of Allah, most Gracious and Merciful
Wa Alaykum Assalam
Could you please clarify whether the eating of cartilage is permissible?
The jurists (fuqaha) mention seven parts of an animal that we are forbidden to eat, and cartilage is not one of them [see al-Hadhir wa l-Ibaha by al-Imam an-Nahlawi, Babu l-Akl wa s-Shurb]. Therefore, it is permissible to eat cartilage.
Also is it true that jinn eat bones, and if you eat bones or chew on them, the jinn will come after you?
Yes, it is true that jinn eat bones.
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) related, that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to him: “Seek me out some rocks so I may clean myself (make istinja) with them, and do not come to me with a bone or animal stool.” So I came to him with some rocks I was holding in the side of my garment, until I placed them next to him (Allah bless him and give him peace) and left. When he had finished, I walked over to him and said, “What is the matter with bone and animal stool?” He said, “They are the food of the jinn.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
As for the jinn coming after one who eats bones, I have not come cross any evidence for this.
And Allah knows best
Fadi Qutub