What it is and where it comes from
Seafood here means sea animals that are not fish: shrimp and prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, oysters, squid and octopus. The Quran says "the game of the sea and its food are lawful for you" (5:96), and the schools read this differently.
What scholars say
- Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools: all sea creatures are halal, with small exceptions some scholars add, such as animals that are poisonous.
- Hanafi school: only fish are halal from the sea. Crab, lobster, mussels, oysters and squid are not.
- Shrimp and prawns in the Hanafi school: many scholars allow them, counting them as fish in common speech; others call them disliked (makruh) or not allowed.
Where you find it
Seafood dishes, sushi, paella, seafood sauces, and shrimp paste in Asian cooking.
What to look for on the label
Shellfish must be named on labels in many countries because of allergies, so look for crustaceans and molluscs.
This is a guide, not a fatwa. Recipes change, so check the label, look for halal certification, and ask your local imam where scholars differ.