Ad-Dajaaj or Ad-Dijaaj is the general name for chickens or fowls whether they are domesticated or undomesticated.
Concerning its lawfulness for food, the eminent companion of the Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) - Aboo Moosah al-Ash'ariyy (RA) related that, "I saw the Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) eating chicken." (Bukhaari).
In a similar narration, Zahdam bn Mudarrib al-Jarmee (RAH) narrated that, "We were with Aboo Moosah al-Ash'ariyy (RA) and some food was brought containing chicken. Amongst the people was a reddish looking man who never went any close to the food. He (Aboo Moosah [RA] said,
'Come close and eat for I saw the Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) ate it (chicken).'
The man said, 'I saw it eating some filth and swore that I will not eat from it. So, he (Aboo Moosah [RA] said, 'Come close and eat from it.'" (Bukhaari, Muslim, Tirmidhee and others).
"In this hadeeth is (proof for the) permissibility of eating chicken whether domesticated or undomesticated and this is by consensus except those who go deeply in matters of piety (who may consider it extravagant). Some of them only restrict what they do not consume of chicken to the Jallaalah... " (Fath al-Baaree 9/648).
It is necessary to mention here that based on clear proof from the Qur'aan and Sunnah, the Companions of the Messenger (RA) were the most pious of the creatures of Allaah after the Prophets and Messengers (alayhim as-salaam). So, the consensus opinion on the permissibility of eating chicken which is narrated from the Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Companions is the most pious thing to do here.
Hence, generations of the Scholars of hadeeth had classified the narration from Aboo Moosah al-Ash'ariyy thus- AI-Imaam Ibn Hibban - "The mentioning of the permissibility of eating chicken (as opposed to) the statements of those who think that (to do so) is being extravagant." (SaheehIbn Hibban 12/60)
AI-Imaam at-Tirmidhee- "What is reported concerning eating chicken.' (Sunan at-Tirmidhee 4/271)
AI-Imaam ad-Daarimee -"Chapter of (the permissibility) of eating Chicken." (Sunan ad-Daarimee)
AI-Imaam an-Nasaaee - "The Permissibility of eating the flesh of chicken." (as-Sunan al-Kubraa 3/160 and as-Sunan as-Sughraa 7/206) amongst others. The same ruling applies to eggs from fowls.
After establishing the permissibility of eating chicken, the circumstance of the slaughtering of the animal - whether strangulated or killed in other unlawful means amongst other things such as its been poisoned may change this ruling. Allaah knows best.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited