Catfish are beneficial aquatic organisms, as they have animal tissues and cells that form their internal systems, and differ from plant tissues and cells in their inability to use vital elements in their vital processes. Therefore, they provide the body with essential nutrients that may not be available in other types of food such as plants, legumes, and grains. In this article, Dalili Medical, we will review in detail the benefits of catfish for the body that should not be missed.

Is catfish considered one of the "Jalala" that the Messenger - may God bless him and grant him peace - forbade?

 

It may be understood that catfish, which feeds on impurities, resembles dead animals and filth. Therefore, eating Jalala is permissible if its "meat, smell, and taste change," by preventing it from eating impurities and placing it in clean water that removes traces of impurity for three days or more.

What is the ruling of Sharia if an animal eats impurity in an emergency?

 

"Are catfish halal or haram?" is a question that many ask, especially with what is being raised about their feeding on waste at the bottom of rivers. If the animal's consumption of impurity is an emergency or for a short period, and its meat does not change, then it is not considered a ghala and it is not disliked to eat it. However, the prohibition of feeding it impurities remains, and many scholars have indicated this. If animals that are classified as ghala are prohibited, then it is not permissible to invest in the field of foods prepared from their meat, and it is not permissible to invest in this field even in cases where it is not considered a ghala, i.e. where the meat does not change, according to the saying that feeding an animal impurity is prohibited.

**When is catfish considered halal?**

 

Camelfish are considered halal when they grow in a healthy environment and clean water, as they must be free of any pollution or impurity that affects the fish. In this case, there is no objection to eating them. The basic principle regarding eating fish is that it is halal, provided that it does not harm human health, as the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: "There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm." However, it can be difficult to know if catfish live in unclean water. A number of scholars have agreed that everything found in the seas and rivers is permissible and there is no prohibition in it. The Prophet was asked about the sea, including salt and fresh water, and he said: "Its water is pure, and its dead are permissible." Therefore, all marine organisms are considered permissible whether they are alive or dead, which means that catfish are considered permissible if they come out of clean water.

**How ​​to distinguish between catfish that live in ponds and rivers**

 

It is essential to buy from a reliable merchant.

You should avoid buying large catfish, as these species feed on meat, including frogs and dead animals.

It is preferable to choose catfish with light or silver colors with pink fins, and stay away completely from black species, as these colors often indicate that they were raised in drains. The darker the color of the fish, the more likely it is to have been raised in unclean water.

The belly of the catfish should be pure white, and avoid buying species with a gray or brown belly.

The fish should be cleaned well, its entrails and head completely removed, then cut into medium pieces and cooked well either on the fire or in the oven, to ensure that there are no live parasites. This advice applies to all types of fish to avoid the risk of internal parasites.

**Benefits of catfish**

. **Low in calories** Catfish is a low-calorie source, as it contains only about 122 calories. This makes it an excellent choice for people on a diet, as they can eat additional amounts of other foods. Men need at least 400 calories per day and may reach 600, while women need at least 300 calories and may reach 500. As for the fats that the body needs, they range between 16 and 22 grams, while catfish contains 6.1 grams of fat, making it a low-fat fish.

. **Beneficial for sexual health** The benefits of catfish are many thanks to its abundant content of phosphorus and omega-3 acids. It helps protect against prostate cancer, enhances sperm production, and contributes to improving penile erection and increasing testosterone levels. In addition, it reduces the risk of prostatitis, protects against its enlargement, and increases the level of dopamine in the brain, which enhances sexual desire in men.

**- Excellent source of vitamin B12** Eating catfish helps provide the body with the necessary amount of vitamin B12, as it provides about 40% of the daily requirement. These vitamins play an important role in converting food into energy, and vitamin B12 enhances memory, which helps students memorize and understand better. In addition, these vitamins contribute to the production of genetic material that makes up red blood cells. Eating catfish also provides 16% of thiamine and 13% of niacin, which are two important elements for regulating digestion, increasing appetite, producing energy, and supporting skin and nervous health.

**- Low mercury** Catfish is characterized by its low level of toxic mercury, an element found in all types of fish, which can negatively affect the nervous system.

**- Rich in omega-3 fatty acid** Catfish contains a high percentage of omega-3 fatty acid, which contributes to improving the psychological and sexual health of men by enhancing mood and reducing stress. It also strengthens the heart, which reduces the risk of blood clots, prevents infections, and helps treat infertility and sterility in men

**- An important source of proteins** Catfish is considered a rich source of amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own. These acids play an important role in building cells, enhancing physical and mental ability, and contributing to strengthening the immune system and providing the energy needed to perform daily activities.

**Enhancing the hormoneMale health** Catfish contributes to improving the psychological and sexual health of men by improving mood and reducing stress levels.

**Benefits of Catfish**

Thanks to its abundant amounts of phosphorus and omega-3 acids, catfish helps prevent prostate cancer, enhances sperm production, and contributes to strengthening erections and increasing levels of the male hormone.

Testosterone helps reduce the risk of direct infection with prostatitis, and protects against enlargement or tumors. In addition, it enhances dopamine levels in the brain and increases sexual desire in men.

The harms of eating catfish from canals, drains and farms with a bad reputation:

- There is a great risk of bacteria and microbes being transmitted to the consumer, as this type of fish contains high levels of contamination, especially dangerous food poisoning bacteria. This may lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and severe intestinal cramps, especially in children, the elderly, patients and pregnant women.

- There is also the possibility of these fish being contaminated with heavy elements resulting from industrial waste, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. These elements can cause chronic poisoning in humans in the long term, due to their cumulative effect in the body, leading to poor growth in children, poor cognition and mental retardation.

- Catfish can be infected with a type of worms that live under the skin, especially in the spine area. Because their color is similar to the color of meat, they may be difficult to detect, but they pose a great risk to human health.

- Heart patients should avoid eating catfish, as it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, due to its high content of omega-6 fatty acids.

- Large catfish feed on worms, insects, frogs, corpses and everything found at the bottom of the water, and are a storehouse of serious diseases, so some call them "sea pigs".

- Eating catfish increases inflammation in the body, in addition to increasing the risk of various types of cancer and diabetes.

- Catfish carries a set of special risks, as all fish contain oils in their bodies, but catfish oil is found in its skin, and it is an unsaturated oil that can accumulate in the bloodstream. Although eating fish is considered better than eating meat, the high levels of omega-6 in it make it an unhealthy choice for people with heart disease.

**Allergies** Eating catfish, like other types of fish, can lead to an allergy. This happens as a result of the immune system reacting to the fish protein as if it were a harmful substance, resulting in a group of symptoms and allergic reactions, including the following:

**Imbalance of omega-3 and omega-6** Omega-3 and omega-6 acids are healthy fatty acids. However, excessive consumption of omega-6 can lead to an imbalance between these two acids, which can cause some health problems, such as inflammation, which is the cause of many chronic diseases. Therefore, it is recommended that when eating catfish regularly, it be eaten with sources rich in omega-3 acids. It is important to note that more scientific studies are needed to accurately determine the effect of this.

**Skin reactions**

Include itching and tingling in the mouth.

Hives; characterized by the appearance of bruises and redness accompanied by itching.

Eczema; a condition that causes itching and inflammation of the skin, with redness and dryness.

**Digestive system symptoms:**

- Feeling nauseous and vomiting.

- Pain and cramps in the abdominal area.

- Diarrhea.

**Respiratory system symptoms:**

- Sneezing.

- Runny or stuffy nose.

- Coughing.

- Shortness of breath.

- Wheezing.

**Symptoms of severe allergies**:

- Swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips, which may cause difficulty breathing and swallowing.

- Difficulty speaking.

- Irregular heart rate.

- Loss of consciousness.

**Ruling on Eating Catfish According to Dar Al Iftaa**

1- According to the fatwa of Dar Al Iftaa, eating catfish is forbidden by Sharia if it lives in polluted water, especially if this is clear from its effect on the taste, smell, and color of the meat. The Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, forbade "eating jallalah", which are animals that feed on impurities until their appearance changes.

2- There is one case in which eating catfish becomes permissible, which is when it grows in a healthy environment and clean water. In this case, if the polluted water does not affect the fish, there is no objection to eating it. The basic principle regarding eating fish is permissibility, provided that it does not harm human health, as the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: "There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm."

**Tips to consider when buying catfish**

- Avoid buying catfish that live in sewers.

- Choose light-colored catfish, such as silver with pink fins, and avoid black ones, as they are often raised in polluted waters.

Make sure that the catfish's belly is pure white. If its belly is brown or gray, it is best to avoid eating it.

- Do not buy large catfish, as they feed on the flesh of frogs and rodents found in sewers, while small catfish feed on plants, making them safer for consumption.

- Make sure to clean the catfish's belly well, get rid of its entrails and head, then cut it into medium pieces, and cook it well at a high temperature in the oven to ensure that any live parasites are eliminated.

Monitoring of open markets should be strengthened, periodic checks should be carried out, and the necessary measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the sale of drain catfish.

Fish farms and ponds should be monitored and the quality of feed and water should be checked to ensure the safety of catfish before they reach consumers.

It is necessary to adhere to sound farming specifications by applying the HACCP system and quality systems in fish farms to protect the consumer.

It should be relied uponOur safe local farms and resources to reduce dependence on foreign imports, and work on manufacturing and packaging catfish meat after cleaning it well in the form of fish fillets to increase its appeal to the consumer, with the possibility of exporting it abroad.

Monitoring the quality of the product is a shared responsibility between the regulatory authorities, consumers and farm owners, through continuous monitoring of markets, farms and violating basins, in addition to drainage channels and sources of pollution by officials. Farm owners must be conscientious in feeding fish, and avoid using farm waste, garbage or any prohibited foods, and abandon greed and avarice, given the risks these wastes pose to consumers, including their children and families. As for the consumer, he must be aware and vigilant about what he buys.

**How ​​to choose healthy catfish:**

1. Inquire about the source of the catfish displayed by the seller before making a purchase decision.

2. Choose light, silvery catfish with red or pink fins, and avoid dark, black catfish that have an unpleasant odor.

3. Make sure to buy catfish that have a white belly, and stay away from those with dark gray or brown bellies.

4. Avoid catfish that emit a bad smell, whether light or dark in color, as this smell indicates spoiled meat. The smell of drain catfish is also very unpleasant, even if the catfish is fresh.

5. The size of the catfish is no longer a reliable criterion for distinguishing between farm catfish and sewage catfish, as farms now produce huge catfish that can sometimes weigh more than five kilograms.

**How ​​to cook catfish**

First, the catfish must be washed well using water, vinegar, and salt, then cut into thin slices to ensure even heat distribution throughout the meat during cooking. Deep frying is the best way to cook catfish, as high temperatures help eliminate any microbes that may remain after cleaning.