Ruling on Eating Meat Sold in Markets of Non-Muslim Countries- Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Question: What is the ruling on eating meat sold in the markets of non-Muslim countries? Is it permissible (halal) or forbidden (haram)?
Answer: The scholars of Islam are unanimously agreed upon the prohibition of the slaughtered meat of the polytheists, idol worshipers, atheists, and all similar categories of disbelievers, except for the Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians (Majus). They are also unanimously agreed upon the permissibility of the slaughtered meat of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians).
They differed, however, regarding the slaughtered meat of the Zoroastrians (Majus) – the fire worshipers. The four Imams and the majority of scholars hold that it is prohibited, likening the Zoroastrians to idol worshipers and all other categories of disbelievers who are not from the People of the Book. Some scholars held that their slaughtered meat is permissible, likening them to the People of the Book.
This latter view is very weak, rather it is false. The correct view is that of the majority of scholars: the prohibition of the slaughtered meat of the Zoroastrians, like the slaughtered meat of all other polytheists, because they are of their kind, except concerning the Jizyah (poll tax). The Zoroastrians only resemble the People of the Book in that the jizyah is accepted from them.
The evidence for this is the saying of Allah the Exalted in His Noble Book, in Surat Al-Ma’idah (5:5): “This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them.”
He the Exalted explicitly states that the food of the People of the Book is lawful for us. Their “food” refers to their slaughtered meat, as stated by Ibn ‘Abbas and other scholars.
The implication of the verse is that the food of those disbelievers who are not from the People of the Book is forbidden to us. This is the view held by all scholars, except for the aforementioned aberrant and weak difference of opinion regarding the slaughtered meat of the Zoroastrians.
Now that this is established, the meat sold in the markets of non-Muslim countries: If it is known that it comes from the slaughtered meat of the People of the Book, then it is permissible for Muslims, as long as it is not known that it was slaughtered in a manner contrary to Islamic law. The principle is its permissibility based on the Qur’anic text, and one should not deviate from this except for a verified matter that necessitates its prohibition.
However, if the meat comes from the slaughtered meat of the rest of the disbelievers, then it is forbidden to Muslims, and it is not permissible for them to eat it, based on the textual evidence and consensus. Mentioning Allah’s name over it during washing or during eating is not sufficient.
As for the argument some might raise based on the Hadith, that narration pertains to a group of Muslims who were new to faith. Some Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, asked the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) about this, saying: “O Messenger of Allah, people who are new to faith bring us meat, and we do not know whether they mentioned the name of Allah over it or not.” This was narrated by Al-Bukhari in the Hadith of ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her. This Hadith cannot be used as a pretext by those who permit eating meat brought to markets from the slaughter of disbelievers other than the People of the Book by merely mentioning Allah’s name over it. This is because the aforementioned Hadith of ‘A’ishah pertains to Muslims, not to disbelievers; thus the ambiguity is removed. The affairs of a Muslim are assumed to be correct and upright as long as the contrary is not known. Perhaps the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) commanded those who asked him to mention Allah’s name when eating, as a precaution and to nullify the whisperings of Satan, not because that permits what was forbidden from their slaughtered meat. And Allah the Exalted knows best.
Regarding a Muslim in those non-Muslim countries finding it difficult to obtain meat slaughtered according to Islamic law, or becoming weary of eating chicken meat and the like, this and similar reasons do not make it permissible for him to eat forbidden meat, nor does it place him in the category of one under duress, by consensus of the Muslims.
It is essential to pay attention to this matter and beware of unjustified leniency.
This is what has become apparent to me concerning this issue, which has become widespread. I ask Allah to grant success to the Muslims in what is beneficial for their religion and their worldly affairs, to fill their hearts with fear of Him and reverence for His sanctities, and to beware of what contradicts His Law.
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[1] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, no. 5083 (Book of Slaughtering and Hunting), Chapter on the Slaughtered Meat of Bedouins and the Like.
[2] Published in the Journal of the Islamic University in Madinah. (Collection of Fatawa and Articles of Shaykh Ibn Baz 23/13).
Ruling on Eating from the Slaughtered Meat of the People of the Book
Question: This question is sent by the listener Al-ʿUmari Muhammad, a Moroccan national residing in France. He has two questions, the first of which is: He says, “You know that the custom of those who were given the Scripture differs from the custom of the Arabs in slaughtering animals. However, we eat from their beef, mutton, and goat meat. Is there any sin upon us for that or not?”
Answer: Allah the Exalted has permitted for us the food of the People of the Book. He said (interpretation of the meaning): “This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them.” [Al-Mā’idah: 5]. The People of the Book are the Jews and Christians. They had altered and substituted [scripture] before the mission of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), and they have distorted [it]. Despite that, Allah permitted for us their food and the chaste women from among them.
This indicates that there is no harm for us in eating their food. Their food means their slaughtered meat. As for fruits and similar items, these may be eaten from all categories of people, even from those not among the People of the Book. Even the polytheists of various kinds, there is no harm in eating their fruits, grains, and produce—no problem. What is prohibited is the slaughtered meat. Slaughtered meat from those other than the People of the Book, such as polytheists, Zoroastrians, and those with no religion, is forbidden. The slaughtered meat of these individuals is not permissible for Muslims at all. Rather, what is permitted for us is specifically the slaughtered meat of the People of the Book: the Jews and Christians.
If you do not know how they slaughtered [the animal], then eat, and praise be to Allah. Do not ask, as long as you know that this is from the slaughtered meat of the People of the Book, the Jews or Christians, for it is lawful for you.
However, if you come to know that they (the Jews and the Christians) slaughtered it in an un-Islamic manner—for example, if they strangled it to death, then do not eat it. For they are not better than the Muslims. If a Muslim were to strangle an animal, it would be forbidden; if he struck its head until it died, it would be forbidden; if he struck its belly until it died, it would be forbidden, and he is a Muslim. So how about a Jew or Christian? The Jew or Christian is less than a Muslim. So if they are negligent in slaughter, and you know that—that he slaughtered it in an un-Islamic way, such as strangling it or beating it until it died—then it is not permissible.
Host: Or by electrical means, for example.
Shaykh: Or by electrical means, extracting its blood, draining the blood from its veins until it died, or striking its head until its skull was crushed—then it is not permissible.
Likewise, if he engaged in some other method besides these known methods, other than proper slaughter, or if he slaughtered it for other than Allah, dedicating it to the Messiah, or to Ezra, or to other idols, then it is not permissible. Because Allah has forbidden that which is dedicated to other than Allah.
As for when you do not know, then you may eat. Or if you know that they slaughtered it according to Islamic slaughter—[cutting] the throat (ḥalqūm), the esophagus (marī’), and the two jugular veins (wadajayn). Islamic slaughter is like this: cutting the throat, esophagus, and the two jugular veins. This is complete slaughter. If he cuts the throat and esophagus, it suffices. If he cuts along with them one of the two jugular veins, that is good. However, perfection in slaughter is to cut the throat, the esophagus, and both jugular veins altogether. These are the two veins surrounding the neck. If the slaughterer cuts these four things, it is most complete. If he suffices with the throat and esophagus, it is permissible according to the correct view. If he cuts along with them one of the two jugular veins, it is likewise permissible. If he cuts them—cuts all four—this is the most complete form of slaughter.
The Sunnah is that he should say the tasmiyah: “Bismillah.” Rather, this is obligatory at the time of slaughter, to mention the name of Allah. If he forgets it or is unaware of the ruling, there is no harm if he slaughtered and did not say the tasmiyah out of ignorance or forgetfulness, whether he is Muslim or a disbeliever. There is no harm. Yes.
Host: May Allah reward you with good.
(Translated by Mohammed bin Thajammul Hussain Manna.)
Saheehus-Seerah 