The Ruling on Eating the Snail and the Crocodile
Question :
Are the snail and crocodile lawful to eat?
Answer:
Malik and a number of other scholars, and Ash-Shafi'i, permitted eating the snail and the crocodile, because they are from the game of the sea and so they are included in the generality of the Words of Allah, Most High:
"Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water game and its use for food -for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel."
Abu Hanifah and a number of other scholars forbade them. because they are predators, so they are included in the generality of the Prophet's prohibition of eating any predator with fangs.
And the question is one requiring Ijtihad and the matter is a wide one, so it is more prudent not to eat them, bearing in mind the difference of opinion and the preponderance of the likelihood that it is not allowed.
Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 6 Pages 230-231
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