Are Sanda and monitor lizard the same?

No, Sanda and Guisap are not the same animal; rather, they are two completely different animals. Sanda and Guisap are often mistaken for the same animal, which is a misconception. Since Sanda is harmless and herbivorous, it is halal according to Islamic Sharia, but Guisap is haram because it is carnivorous and predatory. Moreover, since Guisap is a protected animal in Bangladesh, hunting or eating it is a legally punishable offense. Below, the differences between these two different species of reptiles are presented-

🦎 Sanda (Uromastyx) - The Desert's Harmless Herbivore

-Scientific name: Uromastyx -English name: Spiny-tailed lizard -Arabic name: ضبّ (Dabb) -Urdu name: سانڈا -Natural habitat: Desert regions; not found in Bangladesh -Diet: Herbivorous; eats grass, leaves, and fruits - According to Islamic Sharia: Eating Sanda's meat is halal. Although Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself did not eat it, the Companions ate its meat and he did not forbid it.

🐊 Guisap (Monitor Lizard) - Bangladesh's Carnivorous Predator

- Scientific name: Varanus - English name: Monitor lizard -Arabic name: ورل (Waral) - Natural habitat: Various regions of South Asia, including Bangladesh - Diet: Carnivorous; preys on small animals, birds, snakes, etc. -According to Islamic Sharia: Eating Guisap's meat is haram, because it is a predator with sharp teeth and venomous saliva. - According to Bangladeshi law: Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012, catching, killing, selling, or eating Guisap is completely prohibited.

To understand the difference between them, images of Sanda and Guisap are given below:

https://ask.shikkhaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/Difference-Between-Sanda-and-Guishap-Uromastyx-and-Monitor-Lizard.jpg