The Ruling on the Slaughter of the People of the Book
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Question: From 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn 'Abd Allah ibn Baz, to the honorable brother, the Shaykh / S. N. D., may Allah grant him understanding in all good, amen.
Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings. As for what follows:
Your noble letter containing the four questions has reached us—may Allah guide you, and grant me, you, and all Muslims understanding in His religion and steadfastness upon it—and here is their text and the answer to them:
First Question: You mentioned that you refrained from eating meat of all kinds because you believed it was not slaughtered in the Islamic manner, nor in the manner of the People of the Book, the Jews and the Christians; that is, the name of Allah is not mentioned over it. You ask me whether eating it is lawful or forbidden?
And the answer: Allah the Exalted said: [Surah al-Ma'idah: 5].
This verse clarified for us that the food of the People of the Book—the Jews and the Christians—is permissible for us, unless we know that they slaughtered the permissible animal in a manner contrary to the Shari'ah, such as strangling it, electrocuting it, striking its head, or the like. In that case, it becomes strangled or killed by a blow, and it is forbidden for us, just as the strangled or killed-by-a-blow animal slaughtered by a Muslim in this manner is forbidden for us.
However, if we do not know the reality of the situation, their slaughter is lawful for us, acting in accordance with the noble verse. Here is an answer we have issued on this matter for your benefit.
As for the fact that they do not mention the name of Allah over the slaughter, this is part of their ignorance and does not prevent the lawfulness of their slaughter, just as a Muslim who forgets to mention the name of Allah or is unaware of its ruling at the time of slaughter is not held accountable. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surah al-Baqarah: 286]. It is authentic that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) recited this verse, he said: And Allah the Exalted said in Surah al-Ahzab: [Surah al-Ahzab: 5]. It is also narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Sunan Ibn Majah 2045Sahih (Darussalam) It was recorded by Ibn Majah and al-Hakim, and there is weakness in its chain, but its corroborating narrations are numerous.
Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings. As for what follows:
Your noble letter containing the four questions has reached us—may Allah guide you, and grant me, you, and all Muslims understanding in His religion and steadfastness upon it—and here is their text and the answer to them:
First Question: You mentioned that you refrained from eating meat of all kinds because you believed it was not slaughtered in the Islamic manner, nor in the manner of the People of the Book, the Jews and the Christians; that is, the name of Allah is not mentioned over it. You ask me whether eating it is lawful or forbidden?
And the answer: Allah the Exalted said:
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
الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلُّ لَّهُمْThis verse clarified for us that the food of the People of the Book—the Jews and the Christians—is permissible for us, unless we know that they slaughtered the permissible animal in a manner contrary to the Shari'ah, such as strangling it, electrocuting it, striking its head, or the like. In that case, it becomes strangled or killed by a blow, and it is forbidden for us, just as the strangled or killed-by-a-blow animal slaughtered by a Muslim in this manner is forbidden for us.
However, if we do not know the reality of the situation, their slaughter is lawful for us, acting in accordance with the noble verse. Here is an answer we have issued on this matter for your benefit.
As for the fact that they do not mention the name of Allah over the slaughter, this is part of their ignorance and does not prevent the lawfulness of their slaughter, just as a Muslim who forgets to mention the name of Allah or is unaware of its ruling at the time of slaughter is not held accountable. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.
رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَاAllah said: I have done so.
قال الله: قد فعلتAnd there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِ وَلَكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًاAllah has forgiven my nation for mistakes and forgetfulness, and what they are forced to do.
إن الله وضع عن أمتي الخطأ والنسيان وما استكرهوا عليه
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.