What properties does an animal or fish need in order for it to be halal? For example certain types of game and fish are haram, while others are not. What causes one to be halal, and the other not?
Re: Halal meat
no one?
Re: Halal meat
I do not believe anything from (i.e living in it permanently) the sea/river has been deemed haraam... traditionally (not meaning that I endorse this), any kind of invertebrate or reptilian life would be considered makrooh but certainly not haraam.
As for animals, any omnivorous or carnivorous animal are generally excluded from your diet, but not really haraam (unless killed in a certain way), other than Pork which is spoken of specifically.
2:173 He has forbidden you: dead meat (carrion), blood (hence the concept of halaal by draining blood of a slaughtered animal), swine-flesh, and anything (not just meat) that has been *dedicated to other than God *(be it a person, an idol or a tomb 5:3). But if one is forced by necessity, neither intending disobedience, nor exceeding, it will not be a violation that hurts his ‘self’. Indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful.
5:3 The following things are Forbidden to you:
Carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, anything (not just meat) that has been dedicated to any other than God (such as an idol, grave or saint), any animal that has been strangled to death, or beaten to death, or killed by fall, or gored to death, or (partially) eaten by a wild animal unless you are able to slaughter it while it is still alive (i.e. drain its blood), and (also Forbidden is) what is sacrificed on idolatrous altars (devotional stones or blocks in shrines considered sacred). And (you are forbidden) from dividing one another’s portions through raffling, and divining the future by such means as arrows, for these are deviations. This Day, the rejecters of the Truth have lost all hope of (making compromises with) your System of Life. But, do not fear them, but fear Me. This Day, I have perfected your Law for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen for you Al-Islam as the System of Life. If anyone is forced by dire necessity (to consume the Forbidden), with no intention of transgression, God is indeed Forgiving, Merciful.
Ancient Jewish tradition even forbids anything with cloven hooves, but then you wouldn't have been enjoying mutton or lamb :D
Re: Halal meat
What What causes one to be halal, and the other not?
Allah causes one to be halal and the other to haram. This is the only criteria. Once Allah has told you what is haram to eat and what is not that is it . No arguments , logic , science , reasoning or falsafa needed.
I hope this is what you wanted to know. If you want to know which game is halal and which is not then let me know.
Re: Halal meat
No you misunderstood my question. I meant what is the criteria? Because I know the jews believe it has to be an animal that can chew its own cud... has cloved hooves, etc... fish must have scales and fins in order to be kosher... what is ours?
Is deer halal?
Re: Halal meat
Sibrya, please read my post (again)... I have quoted the exact verses (2:173 & 5:3) dealing with this. The way an animal dies makes it edible or non-edible (Halaal has more to do with how you earn your living, and not something's edibility) ...
Also: I hope you do not think we go by ancient Jewish customs (well maybe we do but not in the case of looking at fish scales or cloved hooves) ... for us, anything is edible (perhaps not favoured or liked, but at least edible) other than what is prohibited in the verses above.
Re: Halal meat
No you misunderstood my question. I meant what is the criteria? Because I know the jews believe it has to be an animal that can chew its own cud... has cloved hooves, etc... fish must have scales and fins in order to be kosher... what is ours?
Is deer halal?
Deer, Antelope, Elk, Bambi.................All Halal......:)
Re: Halal meat
^ yeah I guess Disney characters qualify too 
Re: Halal meat
there was a very simple explanation that I read somewhere, unfortunately i cant find or remember the link
Birds that peck are halal , those that use claws to hold the food and then tear at it with the beak are haram
4 legged animals, the ones that fold their feet inside while sitting are halal, those that spread them outwards are haram.
Anything from the sea / River has to be ALIVE when its taken out of the water, if it died in the water then its haram. All cold blooded animals living in the water are haram (same for animals living on land)
there could be exceptions to this rule, but it covers a pretty wide range
for specific querries, it is best to consult a learned imam or someone who can provide authentic information :)
Re: Halal meat
Please verify your claim or cite proper reference. Do not rely on something you merely think you remember.
there was a very simple explanation that I read somewhere, unfortunately i cant find or remember the link Birds that peck are halal , those that use claws to hold the food and then tear at it with the beak are haram 4 legged animals, the ones that fold their feet inside while sitting are halal, those that spread them outwards are haram. Anything from the sea / River has to be ALIVE when its taken out of the water, if it died in the water then its haram. All cold blooded animals living in the water are haram (same for animals living on land)
there could be exceptions to this rule, but it covers a pretty wide range for specific querries, it is best to consult a learned imam or someone who can provide authentic information :)
Re: Halal meat
will try to find that link for you
meanwhile ponder and learn something from what I have written above
Re: Halal meat
^ Cite the reference first (a proper reference and not a link to a website saying someone said so and so) and then try to second guess the other person's knowledge.
Re: Halal meat
This could be of some guide:
http://hma.jucanada.org/whats_halal.aspx