The Book of Sacrificial Slaughter and Hunting (Kitabu al-Dhaba'ih wa al-Sayd)*
Narrated Maimuna:
A mouse fell into the butter-fat and died. The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about that. He said, *"Throw away the mouse and the butter-fat that surrounded it, and eat the rest of the butter-fat (As-Samn)."*
حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا الزُّهْرِيُّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، يُحَدِّثُهُ عَنْ مَيْمُونَةَ، أَنَّ فَأْرَةً، وَقَعَتْ، فِي سَمْنٍ فَمَاتَتْ، فَسُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْهَا فَقَالَ " أَلْقُوهَا وَمَا حَوْلَهَا وَكُلُوهُ ". قِيلَ لِسُفْيَانَ فَإِنَّ مَعْمَرًا يُحَدِّثُهُ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ. قَالَ مَا سَمِعْتُ الزُّهْرِيَّ يَقُولُ إِلاَّ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنْ مَيْمُونَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَقَدْ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْهُ مِرَارًا.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5538
*NOTE 📝*
1. In his commentary of this hadith, al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani discussed the chapter on the ruling of a mouse falling into solid or melted fat, and whether the legal ruling differs between the two. He noted that al-Bukhari did not decisively state one position due to strong scholarly disagreement, though earlier indications suggest he leaned toward the view that impurity only affects substances if a change occurs. This likely explains why he included a narration through Yunus that implies a distinction. The hadith is narrated from Maymunah, and earlier sections already addressed disagreements among scholars regarding the chain of narration, particularly whether Maymunah is explicitly mentioned and whether the report is connected or disconnected, with the stronger view affirming her inclusion. - Fathul Baari, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
2. Ibn Hajar further explained that the wording *"Remove the mouse and what is around it"* is the version reported by most of Ibn ʿUyaynah's students. Another narration adds a clarification: if the fat is solid, the affected part is removed and the rest eaten, but if it is melted, it should not be consumed. This added wording is unusual in Ibn ʿUyaynah's narration and is discussed critically by hadith scholars. - Fathul Baari, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
3. The hadith highlights the practical ruling on how to deal with fat when it becomes contaminated by impurity, distinguishing what should be removed or avoided. This ruling is extended by analogy to similar substances such as honey, molasses, and the like by some scholars, showing consistency in legal reasoning. Overall, it reflects the ease, flexibility, and mercy of the Shari'ah (Islamic law), which seeks to remove hardship while preserving cleanliness and lawful consumption.
*Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.*