The ruling on the slaughter of one whose state is unknown

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, if the intention of the slaughterer is not known—whether he is slaughtering for himself to draw near to the Exalted or to others—if his intention to invoke the name of Allah and His Messenger is not known, is it permissible to eat the slaughter of one whose state is unknown?

Answer:
It is not permissible to eat the slaughter of a polytheist or an apostate. This is with regard to the slaughterer: it is not permissible to eat the slaughter of a disbeliever, even if he says "In the name of Allah" and slaughters it in the prescribed manner, due to his lack of eligibility. Only the slaughter of a Muslim and the slaughter of the People of the Book are permissible, meaning the slaughter of the People of the Book and the Muslim. As for the disbeliever in all his types—whether polytheist, atheist, or apostate—their slaughter is not permissible because they are impure and unclean, and this has an effect on the slaughtered animal, so the slaughter of a horse is not permissible. As for one whose outward appearance is that of a Muslim, whose outward appearance is that of a Muslim, and we know nothing about him regarding disbelief or shirk (associating partners with Allah), the default is permissibility; the default for a Muslim is permissibility, unless it is established for us that he is an apostate, or that he is a polytheist, or that he calls for aid from the dead or slaughters for graves. In that case, his slaughter is not permissible if this is established about him. However, if he is suspected but nothing is established against him, the default is permissibility. But if you leave it off to avoid shubhah (doubtful matters) and leave what is doubtful, that is good. Yes. Allah the Exalted knows best, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions.