The Ruling on Eating Imported Meats

The questioner:
There is no issue with this; in fact, each of us may need to look into purchasing some of the meat from the restaurants that are widespread in this country. However, most of these restaurants use only imported meat at half the price. I mentioned that Muhammad ibn [name unclear] stated that eating imported meat is not permissible, and that some restaurants claim their meat is not imported. However, we must ask our fathers what they say to them, and call upon them to issue a ruling on this matter regarding this major problem, because we do not want to include forbidden things in our gatherings.

The Shaykh:
There is no doubt that avoiding doubtful matters is required. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: and he knew this. These imported meats are, at the very least, doubtful. There is no doubt that avoiding them and leaving them alone is safer for one’s conscience. You buy food, you buy bread, and you do not buy these meats unless they are fish or slaughtered in the country. If they are fish, fish do not require slaughter, or if they are slaughtered in the country, these also do not require inquiry or research, because what is slaughtered in the lands of Muslims is originally permissible. As for imported meat, it is a matter of great doubt. It is obligatory for the Muslim to avoid it. Yes, and therefore, if it is necessary to eat meat and he finds something else, he eats food and fruit. Yes.

Another questioner:
We are cautious.

The Shaykh:
This is something that disappears; it goes away with the cheese and has no substance or reality. It is merely something that existed at first and then disappeared and was lost. When something disappears and is gone, it has no right.