Thinking of starting a snail farm? Good news — breeding and selling snails is generally allowed in Islamic law so long as you don’t intend them for local consumption as food and you respect a few key conditions
In general, the breeding, rearing and sale of animals such as snails, if not intended for human consumption but rather for lawful benefit, are in themselves not objectionable from a religious (Sharia) point of view.
Given that snails are considered animals whose meat is unlawful (haram) to eat, rearing them in itself does not present a general religious problem. This verdict is because rearing an animal is not inherently forbidden, even if that animal’s meat is impermissible for food.
However, some points should be taken into account:
Breeding snails with the purpose of selling their meat for local consumption is forbidden.
If the products obtained from snail farming — for example cosmetic or pharmaceutical extracts — are produced solely for export to non-Muslim countries, there is no religious objection to doing so.
Tools and containers used in snail farming do not pose a problem for other uses provided they are not contaminated by impure substances.
There may be differing fatwas among jurists on certain details of this matter. For greater certainty, it is better to consult your marjaʿ (religious reference).
According to the majority of jurists, snail meat is haram.
Raising animals that are forbidden to eat is permissible when the purpose is other than local consumption.
Exporting the products of snail farming can help the economy and is not religiously problematic.
Breeding snails, provided it is carried out in accordance with Sharia requirements and intended for export of derived products rather than domestic food consumption, does not present a religious obstacle.
