Islam Question and Answer - Permissibility of eating meat of Ahl Ul-Kitaab

Mon 6/12/1430 - 23/11/2009

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Principles of Fiqh » Jurisprudence and Islamic Rulings » Customs and traditions » Food & Nourishment » Slaughtering according to sharee’ah

Permissibility of eating meat of Ahl Ul-Kitaab

What is your opinion on the permissability or otherwise of Muslims eating meat from non-muslims in a country
where the majority of its inhabitants are Christian?

Arabic Answer in audio: Real Audio format -- Press here to play

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English translation:

Praise be to Allaah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

It is permissible for Muslims to eat the food of Ahl al-Kitaab, because Allaah permitted their dhabeehah (slaughtered meat) in the ayah (interpretation of the meaning):

"… The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals, etc.) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them…" [al-Maa’idah 5:5]

unless the Muslim knows that this meat is of the type we are not permitted to eat, because it comes from an animal which was electrocuted, or was strangled, or a name other than that of Allaah was mentioned at the time of slaughter.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid