Ruling on Using and Selling Manure/Dung

The agricultural sector holds a very important place in our lands. From large state-supported farms to individuals living on the outskirts of cities and in villages, many people raise various large and small livestock and poultry for different purposes. Therefore, the issue of using and selling the manure/dung of these animals has always been a relevant topic.

Considering the constant need of people for manure and dung in agriculture and gardening, the scholars of the Hanafi school of thought have ruled that using, selling, or purchasing them is permissible.

Specifically, in the book "Radd al-Muhtar", it is stated on this matter: "It is permissible to use or sell fertilizer mixed with dung and manure."

If the dung is mixed with soil, chaff, and similar substances and processed, the essence of the dung is considered changed, and it becomes a new product in the form of fertilizer. Therefore, there is no dispute regarding the permissibility of using and selling it.

However, despite some differences of opinion among the four major schools of thought regarding the use or sale of manure or dung in its original state, the chosen ruling and issued fatwa in the Hanafi school is that these activities are permissible.

Below we present some questions and answers related to this issue:

Question 1: In our mosque, it was said that selling dung is haram, that it is a valueless thing in Shariah. If this statement is correct, what about buying it? In our regions, it is nearly impossible to find dung for free. Please clarify this issue.

Response from the "Ask the People of Remembrance" body:

Wa alaykum assalam! The buying and selling of dung is permissible. There is no Shariah prohibition against it. And Allah knows best!

Question 2: Is it permissible to sell poultry dung for commercial purposes?

Assalamu alaykum, respected Shaykh! A question arose regarding an incident at our enterprise. We rented out empty rooms on our enterprise's premises for raising chickens and chicks. This morning, a debate emerged: is it permissible to sell the dung from these chickens for commercial purposes or not? One person says that Shariah states that selling dung, i.e., animal waste, is not permissible, while another says this needs proof. I could not find this in websites or books.

Is it permissible to buy and sell manure/dung from poultry and livestock?

Response from Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Muhammad Yusuf (may Allah have mercy on him):

Items thrown into the trash and animal dung can be sold because they can be used as fertilizer.

Source: islommoliyasi.uz