Muwatta 1440

A ruling of Malik: he was asked about a man compelled to eat carrion who finds the fruit of a people, or crops, or sheep in the place. He said: if he thinks the owners would accept his necessity, so that he is not treated as a thief and his hand cut off, then he should eat from whatever he finds to ward off his hunger, and not carry any of it away. That is more beloved to him than eating carrion. If he fears they will not accept it and will count him a thief, then eating carrion is better for him, and he has latitude in that, though he fears that someone who was not compelled to eat carrion may use this as a pretext to take people's property. Malik said: this is the best I have heard. ¹

Belongs to the Muwatta, Book of Hunting. Source: the Muwatta. Built on in the chapters on slaughtering.