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Regarding the meat of Ahl-ul-Kitaab in the West
Shaykh ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Abdir-Raheem al-Bukhaaree

Questioner:

Regarding the issue of the meat here (in France): searching for Halaal (lawful) meat was the thing that was widespread here between the Muslims. So they (some du’aat in France) found some fataawaa (religious verdicts) of Shaykh ibn Baaz and Shaykh al-’Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy upon all of them, wherein they said that the person should not search, rather the original ruling is that they are Ahl-ul-Kitaab (People of the Scripture, i.e. Jews and Christians) and their meat is permissible. So they use these fataawaa and say them to the people in general duroos (lessons) in front of the laymen, and this lead to problems between the people since they were convinced that the meat (of the disbelievers) is not Halaal at all in France. So they (those du’aat) literally said to them: “Go to the French restaurants and eat in them.”

Shaykh ‘Abdullaah al-Bukhaaree:

[They said it] unrestricted, just like that?!

Questioner:

Unrestricted! They even told them the name [of the restaurants]. Some of them said… Is McDonalds known to you?

Shaykh ‘Abdullaah al-Bukhaaree:

Yes, it is known.

Questioner:

They said it like this: “Go to McDonalds and eat in it.” Without restraint or anything…

Shaykh ‘Abdullaah al-Bukhaaree:

I seek refuge with Allaah from betrayal. This is from betrayal! The people are steadfast upon the Command of Allaah searching for Halaal, why do you turn them away [from this]?! This is from the lack of fiqh (understanding) and from recklessness in the understanding – we seek refuge with Allaah. The people are now searching for Halaal, far away from shubhah (doubt), and you come and weaken their determination by saying they shouldn’t search for Halaal and go to it [anymore]. So you made them abandon aiding the truth and adhering to it.

The second thing: the slaughtered meat of Ahl-ul-Kitaab is permissible. Eating it is permissible, not waajib (obligatory)!

The third thing, may Allaah bless you: this is when it is known that he is from Ahl-ul-Kitaab. Not when the Atheïsts, Buddhists, Majoos (fire worshippers), etc. are mixed with them (Ahl-ul-Kitaab). Are you able to determine that the owner of this shop is from Ahl-ul-Kitaab? You aren’t able! The fact that he is in France doesn’t mean [that he is from Ahl-ul-Kitaab]. Right? May Allaah bless you.

So here it is obligatory to be cautious! Cautiousness is obligatory here! When I know that someone is from Ahl-ul-Kitaab and I don’t know how he slaughtered, then there is no problem in eating his meat. If someone asked me: “But if I know that he is from Ahl-ul-Kitaab, and he didn’t slaughter according to the Sharee’ah (Islamic Legislation)?” Then it’s not permissible since he didn’t slaughter it in the first place, this is clear. If it was clearly electrocuted, then it’s not permissible to eat it. This is if it was a Muslim who did it, here in Makkah and al-Madeenah. When it is known that someone did not slaughter according to the Sharee’ah, then it’s not permissible to eat his meat, even if he is a Muslim – not from Ahl-ul-Kitaab. And even if it was next to al-Haram al-Makkee (The Meccan Sanctuary)! Why research things like this, while the people – and all praise is due to Allaah – want to search for their religion and that which makes them steadfast. This one comes and weakens their determination [by saying]: “Go and eat from this and that place.” It is feared that he has some shares in this place (so he invites the people to it)! We ask Allaah for safety.

Translated by brother Yâsîn Abu Ibrâhîm
Watch Video @ http://wp.me/p2sNCV-2oB

Related Links:

• Eating the Meat of Ahl Al-Kitaab (Jews and Christians) - Imaam Ibn Uthaymeen (Rahimahullaah) & Al-Imaam Ibn Baaz
• [Transcript] Important Principles Regarding Slaughtered Meat – Al-’Allaamah Saalih As-Suhaymee
• Eating the Meat Sacrificed by One who Does not Pray – Shaykh Muqbil ibn Haadee