All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

Animals are divided into two categories regarding the ruling on their sale, based on the possibility of deriving benefit from them:

First: Animals with a Valid General Benefit

This category includes animals from which a recognized general benefit is derived. It is permissible to sell and possess these, even if the benefit is intangible or aesthetic, such as the companionship of a pet, enjoying the visual beauty of a peacock's colors, or listening to the song of a nightingale.

Imam al-Khaṭīb al-Shirbīnī (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: "The second condition among the conditions of the object of sale: Benefit—meaning it must be beneficial from the view of Sharia, even if in the future, like a small donkey foal. Thus, it is not valid to sell that which has no benefit, because it is not considered wealth (Māl), and taking money in exchange for it is prohibited due to the prohibition of wasting wealth... As for what is beneficial, such as a cheetah for hunting, an elephant for war, a monkey for guarding, bees for honey, a nightingale for the enjoyment of its voice, a peacock for the enjoyment of its color, and leeches for blood-letting; these are valid [to sell]." (Mughnī al-Muḥtāj, Vol.2/P.342).

Second: Animals with No Benefit or Only Private Benefit

Traditionally, animals from which no benefit is derived, or those used only for private prestige, were not permissible to sell. Examples included lions, tigers, inedible crows, snakes, scorpions, and beetles.

Shaykh al-Islam Zakariyā al-Anṣārī (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:

"Regarding that which has no benefit, such as the lion, the wolf, the kite, and the inedible crow; [the sale] is void. No consideration is given to the benefit of the hide after death, nor the benefit of feathers for arrows, nor the possession of some of them by kings for [the sake of] prestige and politics." (Asnā al-Maṭālib, Vol.2/P.10).

If the custom (‘Urf) regarding certain animals changes such that a general benefit becomes possible where it was previously non-existent, then selling them becomes permissible according to the principles of the Shafi’i school. For example: Snakes and Scorpions: Today, they are utilized for their venom in the manufacturing of certain medicines and cosmetics. Another example is lions and tigers: They are now sold to zoos to be displayed to the general public for educational and entertainment purposes.

In conclusion, there is no objection in Sharia to selling lions and tigers to public zoos—in accordance with prevailing laws—for the purpose of public viewing and enjoyment. This is because their benefit is no longer restricted to the private prestige of the elite but has become a general benefit available to the public. And Allah the Exalted knows best.