mistamman

Mistamman refers to a specific practice within Islamic jurisprudence, particularly associated with the Hanafi school of thought. It involves the permissibility of consuming certain forbidden things (haram) under extreme duress, specifically when facing starvation and death. The core principle is that the preservation of life takes precedence over the prohibition of consuming otherwise unlawful substances.

This concept is derived from Quranic verses and hadith that permit the consumption of carrion, pork, or blood in situations of necessity. The term "mistamman" itself is an Arabic word that can be translated as "one who seeks to be safe" or "one who is compelled." It highlights the desperate state of the individual who is forced to resort to such measures for survival.

However, the application of mistamman is subject to strict conditions. It is not a general license to consume forbidden items. The individual must be in genuine and imminent danger of death from starvation, with no other permissible food source available. Furthermore, the amount consumed should be the minimum necessary to sustain life, and as soon as the necessity ceases, the individual must cease consuming the forbidden substance. The jurists have debated the precise definition of "necessity" and the extent to which this allowance can be applied, but the underlying principle of life preservation remains central.