Is hunting and fishing permissible? I have seen some Ulama in our city accompanying friends on hunting trips.

Answer

Only people who are ghaafil squander time and emaciate their Imaan in hunting and fishing for sport and to wile away the time in the company of satanic friends. A ghaafil person is oblivious of Allah Ta'ala and the purpose of his presence on earth. Life on earth is very short. He is totally forgetful of Maut which is perpetually stalking him. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:

"You have been created for the Aakhirah."

It is not permissible to wile away the night time in a shaitaani pursuit. Being away from home unnecessarily, especially during the night times is not permissible. How can any decent Muslim abandon his wife and children for three nights to wile away the time with fussaaq friends to enjoy a shaitaani sport at the expense of the suffering of Allah's makhlooq? Animals may not be injured or killed for nafsaani gratification. The excuse of eating the meat is not valid. The jaahils who hunt for sport are aware of the purpose for which they are hunting. They hunt for finding nafsaani pleasure.

Hunting and fishing are permissible only for those whose livelihood depends on these occupations. Never is it permissible for sport or to wile away the time or for nafsaani enjoyment. It is at such times of ghaflat that shaitaan befriends the morons. Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan Majeed:

"For him who abstains from the Thikr (Remembrance) of Allah, We appoint a shaitaan who becomes his companion."

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:

"Shaitaan sits glued on to the heart of man. When he remembers Allah (makes Thikr), he (shaitaan) flees. When man is ghaafil, then shaitaan casts waswasah (vile thoughts) in him."

Allah Ta'ala has created the Nights for rest and Ibaadat, not for indulgence in haraam nafsaaniyat and shaitaaniyat. Nabi Isaa (Alayhis salaam) has cursed hunters. Hunters are among the worst ghaafileen.