The Ruling on the Meat of the People of the Book
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I previously issued a ruling regarding meat imported from the lands of the People of the Book, stating that it is permissible. Is it permissible, by analogy to that, to eat the meat of the People of the Book even in their own lands, given that they do not slaughter according to the Islamic method?
Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said: [Al-Ma'idah: 5] And he remained silent. So whatever they consider to be food, and which is not specifically forbidden, is lawful, and you should not ask, except for what you know with certainty is forbidden. For example, we do not eat pork because it is specifically forbidden. We eat goats and sheep, unless we know that this specific sheep was slaughtered in a manner other than the Islamic way. Some of the earlier and later scholars say: Even if they strangled it, and they consider it lawful, it is lawful for you.Because Allah said: (And the food of those who were given the Scripture) So whatever they consider to be food is lawful for us, but we do not see this.
We see that it is necessary for the blood to be drained and the name of Allah to be mentioned over it. However, if it comes to us from one whose slaughter is lawful, it is not upon us—nor is it for us—to ask how you slaughtered it? Did you mention the name of Allah over it?And the evidence is the hadith of Aisha in al-Bukhari, where she said: (A group of people said: O Messenger of Allah! A group of people brings us meat, and we do not know whether the name of Allah was mentioned over it or not?He said: You mention the name and eat it) This is an indication from the Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, that one should not ask. You should do your own action: mention the name and eat.
Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you
وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْWe see that it is necessary for the blood to be drained and the name of Allah to be mentioned over it. However, if it comes to us from one whose slaughter is lawful, it is not upon us—nor is it for us—to ask how you slaughtered it? Did you mention the name of Allah over it?And the evidence is the hadith of Aisha in al-Bukhari, where she said: (A group of people said: O Messenger of Allah! A group of people brings us meat, and we do not know whether the name of Allah was mentioned over it or not?He said: You mention the name and eat it) This is an indication from the Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, that one should not ask. You should do your own action: mention the name and eat.
