Floating Dead Fish (Tafi) Is Prohibited

Question

Question: In “Akhtari Bihishti Zewar” (“Heavenly Ornaments”) the following ruling is mentioned: a fish that dies and floats upside down on the surface of the water may not be eaten. In its margin: [ar]ولا يحل حيوان مائي إلا السمك غير الطافي[/ar] “No aquatic animal is lawful except fish that is not tafi (floating)” (“al-Durr al-Mukhtar”, vol. 5, p. 292). (2) Explaining the term “tafi”, please state when it applies.

Answer

A fish that dies by itself, of a natural death, and comes up to the surface of the water is tafi, and eating it is prohibited. If a fish dies from a shortage of water, or heat, or cold, or a drug, or any other external cause (afa)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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