Many questions are asked about meat imported from the lands of disbelievers: is it permissible to eat it if its status is unknown?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, many questions are asked about meat imported from the lands of disbelievers: is it permissible to eat it if its status is unknown?

Answer:
If it is imported from non-Book people, it is not permissible by consensus, because their slaughter is forbidden.
If it is imported from the lands of disbelievers who are not People of the Book, it is forbidden, because it is the slaughter of polytheists. As for if it is imported from the lands of People of the Book, if they slaughter it according to the Shari'ah method, it is lawful; if it is known that they slaughter it according to the Shari'ah method, it is lawful by the text of the Qur'an. If it is known that they slaughter it other than the Shari'ah method, it is forbidden. This is by consensus, just as if a Muslim slaughters it other than the Shari'ah method, it is not permissible. If the matter is unknown—what do you know, whether they slaughter it with the Shari'ah method or a non-Shari'ah method?—the scrupulousness is to leave it, and the precaution is to leave it. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Yes.