Fatwa ID: 02034

Answered by Molana Eunus Ali

Question:

Assalamu Alaykum Sheikh,

I am a Medical student in Romania and I wanted to ask you a question about halal meat here. 
Now Romania is a Orthodox Christian country and they are very practising in their faith, halal options are very limited here.

The Imam of the Masjid in this city has said that it is permissible to eat the chicken here because it is from the people of the book, he also said that in Romania there is only really one supplier and they slaughter chicken in the same manner as Muslims therefore it is okay to consume that but not red meat as they use other methods. 

Now is it okay for us as visitors and students here to accept what the Sheikh is saying and trust him as he is the most learned about these matters in this city at least, bearing in mind there is only one masjid here.

JazaakAllah Khair

Answer:

The slaughtered animals of ‘the people of the book’ (Jews and Christian) will be permissible for a Muslim to consume when those conditions are fulfilled that apply to a Muslim when slaughtering an animal.  (Legal Rulings on Slaughtered Animals by Mufti Muhammad TaqiUthmani, Page 59, Maktaba-e-DarulUloom)

The necessary conditions which need to be fulfilled at the time of slaughtering the animal are as follows:

1. For the slaughterer to be a Muslim or from ‘the people of the books.’ (RaddulMuhtar, Volume 9, Page 427 & 428, DarulKutubulIlmiyyah)

It is necessary to point out, that ‘the people of the book’ refers to those who are true followers of their religion and the teachings of their respective scriptures although they may have been changed.

As for those Jews or Christians who do not have faith in their respective scriptures or even in God, and are only considered Jewish or Christian by the consensus record will not be considered‘the people of the book,’ hence their slaughtered animal will not be permissible for consumption. (Ma'ariful Quran, Volume 3, Page 63, Maktaba-e-DarulUloom)

Furthermore, if the Christian or the Jewish person slaughtering the animal believes in the divinity of Jesus or Uzair (may peace be upon both of them), the meat should not be consumed. (RaddulMuhtar, Volume 9, Page 430, DarulKutubulIlmiyyah)

2. Taking the name of Allah  at the time of slaughtering the animal. (Badai' As-Sanai', Volume 6, Page 233, DarulKtutbulIlmiyyah)

If however either the name of Allah is purposely left out orthe name of another is added along with Allah’s name at the time of slaughtering or the animal is slaughtered in the name of that other than Allah, the meat will beharam and cannot be consumed. (RaddulMuhtar, Volume 9, Page 433 & 434, DarulKutubulIlmiyyah)

3. At the time of slaughtering, at least 3 of the 4 required vessels must be cut. The vessels are the throat, windpipe and the two jugular veins. (Badai' As-Sanai', Volume 6, Page 205, DarulKtutbulIlmiyyah)

In conclusion, when the above mentioned conditions are met, the slaughtered animal of ‘the people of the book' will be permissible for the Muslims to consume, otherwise it will be considered Haram.

As Muslims we should not take any chances that may possibly jeopardise our Hereafter. Any situation that may put us in doubt in regards to an item being Halal or Haram, the safest option should be adopted.

Al-Hasanibn Ali ibnAbiTalib , the grandson of the Messenger of Allah , and the one much loved by him, who said:

I memorised from the Messenger of Allah : “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt. The truth brings tranquillity while falsehood sows doubt.”(SunanAt-Tirmidhi:2518)

In regards to your question, an investigation should be carried out. If the above mentioned conditions are met, the chicken will be considered permissible for the Muslims to consume.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Eunus Ali

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham