Slaughtering and Eating a Stud Bull Released by a Kafir or by the Government

Question

Zayd slaughters and eats a stud bull that some kafir has set loose, or that has been set loose by the government. Is it permissible in the Shari‘a to slaughter and eat it secretly? It should be explained that, as has become known from what people say, the kafirs mostly set loose stud bulls and the like in the name of some great man of theirs, an idol and so on. In that case, does such a bull fall under “that over which a name other than Allah’s has been invoked” (مَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللهِ) or not?

Answer

It is not permissible to slaughter and eat such a bull, even secretly: this is disposing of another’s property. And if it is dedicated in the name of other than Allah, it also falls under “that over which a name other than Allah’s has been invoked” (مَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللهِ).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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