Islamic Commercial Matters FAQ #

Original Question:  Are we allowed to sell cow dung to be used as fertilizer in farming even though it is najis? And what about pig fertilizer?

Selling (transfer of ownership at a price) things that are considered najis (impure) in Islam are prohibited regardless of their forms or categories.

However, when there are benefits associated with such things, like manure for fertilizing plants, Shariah scholars have prescribed an alternative contract called naql al-yad (change of ownership/rights at a price).

For example, the owner of the manure shall say: “I waive my rights to this item at such price” and the buyer shall reply with “I accept at such price”.