I love to hunt deer and other animals. I do eat what I hunt. My question: Is hunting not allowed during the months of Thul-Qi'dah, Thul-Hijjah, Al-Muharram and 'Rajab? Does any one know why?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Hunting is not forbidden during the sacred months which are the months of 'Rajab, Thul-Qi'dah, Thul-Hijjah, and Al-Muharram.

Hunting is forbidden only in Makkah or when a person is in the state of Ihraam for Hajj or 'Umrah. The evidence is this verse (interpretation of meaning): {O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of Ihraam}[5:95]. Another verse reads (interpretation of meaning): {…but forbidden to you is game from the land as long as you are in the state of Ihraam.}[5:96].

The Prophet said: "Verily, this (Makkah) is a Sacred City, its thorns and its plants must not be cut, its wild game must not be frightened, and none is allowed to pick up lost articles unless one knows its owner (in order to return it to him)." [Al-Bukhari]

Therefore, if a person is not in the city of Makkah nor in the state of Ihraam he may hunt.

Allaah knows best.