Fatwa ID: 07743

Answered by Aalimah Khadija Tarwala 

Question:

I really need your help on this issue because it’s giving me concerns and worries. My parents are Muslim and eat non-halal meat from supermarkets such as Asda and Iceland. I know they won’t listen to me when I tell them it’s not halal certified and I once had the conversation with my dad but he didn’t listen. The problem is I heard that meat in a non-muslim country is halal to eat if it’s a predominately Christian country. Does the ruling apply to the UK since they aren’t predominately Christian anymore? There are still just about more Christians than atheists but the Christians are still less than the population. Does the ruling still apply? My other problem is that my parents when eating this non-halal meat is that I have to wash their plates and they may also spread the impure meat with their hands when touching things like door knobs and such. This would raise my overthinking and cause hardship as I would constantly have to wash my hands and clean this impurity. Please help me as this is causing me a lot of stress.

Jazakallah Khair.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

As salaam alaykum,

May Allah ease your situation and reward you for seeking clarity on these matters.

Regarding the permissibility of consuming meat from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), it depends on a few conditions. Historically, the People of the Book adhered to their divine scriptures. However, there is enough evidence from the Qur’an and scholarly commentary that their scriptures have been altered over time. In places like the UK, where Christianity has significantly declined in practice and influence, the rulings regarding the People of the Book have become less applicable. Given that most Christians no longer follow religious practices related to meat preparation and consumption, it would be safer to consume only halal-certified meat to avoid any doubts and to ensure compliance with Islamic law.

As for the issue of impurity, according to Hanafi Fiqh, impurity is only transferred if it is wet and visible. Utensils that your parents use, after being washed, are considered clean. Similarly, touching objects like door handles would not transfer impurities unless there is visible contamination on these items. Islam encourages balance and teaches us not to overthink such matters. Therefore, surfaces will not become impure unless the impurity is clearly visible.

I pray Allah eases this situation for you.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Aalimah Khadija Tarwala.

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah.

Darul Ifta Birmingham.

قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِمَّا كُنْتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ (5:15)

تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا (6:91)

التوراة التي أنزلها عليهم يحرفونها يجعلون الحلال فيها حراما والحرام فيها حلالا والحق فيها باطلا والباطل فيها حقا. أصول الإيمان في ضوء الكتاب والسنة مجموعة من المؤلفين, ص 140

النجاسة الرطبة لا تطهر إلا عند إزالة عينها. تحفة الملوك, ج 1, ص 253