One Ummah Network
Thu, 27 Jul 2000 13:13:04 -0700
Submission by: Tavis Adibudeen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Topic: Halal and Zabiha Meat ************ Text: Assalaamu alaikum, The text below is taken from our Al-Islam Message Forum where a sister inquired about eating non-Islamically slaughtered meat, and if it is permissible (halal) or forbidden (haraam). Below is the answer to her question. Your comments and follow-up questions are welcome. Please go to http://www.oneummah.net and click on Al-Islam Message Forum to discuss this issue. --------------- Definition of Halal and Zabiha In order to have a clear understanding of this issue, it is extremely important that we first define the two words in question. In Arabic, halal means "that which is allowed, permitted or permissible." Thus, "halal meat" is meat that is considered permissible in Islam. The term zabiha comes from the Arabic root zahaba, which means “to kill (by slitting the throat); to slaughter, butcher, to murder, slay; to sacrifice.” So, zabiha meat is meat slaughtered by slitting the throat of the animal. In this context, however, it is used to mean meat slaughtered by a Muslim using the properly prescribed method as is indicated in the Sunnat-an-Nabi (life example of the Prophet, upon whom be peace). We will not describe the method of Islamic slaughter in detail here, as that is another topic that deserves its own attention. Is Zabiha Halal? Is Halal Zabiha? The meat that is halal to Muslims is described by Allah in the Qur’an: “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety…” (Qur’an 5:3) All Muslims are in consensus that the above things such as pork, bloody meat, etc. are all haraam (forbidden). Muslims do not agree, however, on whether or not meat killed by non-muslims is halal or haraam. The argument for meat slaughtered by non-Muslims being halal is based on the following ayat in the Qur’an: “This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them…” It should be noted that the word for food about is highlighted in green. The word ta’aam (food) does not necessarily mean meat. The majority of Sunni scholars have related that the word ta’aam includes all food that is permissible to the People of the Book, including their meat. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi added: " The application of the phrase, the food of those who were given the Scripture , is general and includes their meats, produce, and other foods. All of these are halal for us excepting what is haraam in itself, e.g., the flesh of a dead animal, pork, and flowing blood, as these are haraam regardless of whether they are obtained from a Christian, a Jew, or a Muslim." 1 Most of the Sunni scholars, however, did not necessarily include meat slaughtered by the People of the Book in any manner, rather it still had to be slaughtered in an acceptable manner. This includes the mentioning of no other name except Allah over the meat. In that case, a Christian mentioning the name of Jesus over the meat would render it haraam. On this, Imam Malik said: " I classify it as makruh (disliked) but not haraam: makruh because I am afraid it may have been dedicated to someone other than Allah but not haraam because perhaps, with respect to the People of the Book, the meaning of the phrase, “that which has been dedicated to any other than Allah,” applies only to those animals which they slaughter for the purpose of seeking the pleasure of their deities and not to eat. As for what they slaughter and eat, it is their food, and Allah says, “the food of those who were given the Scripture is permitted to you.” This is the correct viewpoint for someone who adheres to one of the four Sunni schools of thought and intends to serve Allah. Even if we accept this viewpoint, however, we must analyze the TIME-SPACE factor. For Muslims living in western societies such as the United States or the United Kingdom, we have an entirely different issue with which to contend. Most of the commercial meat distributed to grocery stores is not only not slaughtered by Muslims but may or may not even be slaughtered by a human being. The grotesque yet cost efficient methods that are used today by major meat distribution companies are certainly not Islamic based on any viewpoint. Sheikh al-Qaradawi states, however: " In the light of this ruling, we know that imported meats, such as chicken and canned beef, originating with the People of the Book are halal for us, even though the animal may have been killed by means of electric shock or the like. As long as they consider it lawful in their religion, it is halal for us. This is the application of the above verse from Surah al-Maidah." There are two main problems with the above theory proposed by the Sheikh: (1) We are under the assumption that because the meat is sent from or distributed in a western country that it was slaughtered by “people of the book.” (2) We are also required to assume that, because they (the apparent People of the Book) employ these methods in their countries, that it is lawful in their religions. Let us now analyze each of these issues closely. (1) People of the Book is a phrase used repeatedly by Allah in the Qur’an to describe people who received scripture from Allah through a Prophet, upon whom be peace. It also refers to their descendants or those who follow their religions. Two religions that we know are included in this group are Judaism and Christianity, as most of the Prophets (pbut) mentioned in the Qur’an are of Hebrew-Israelite origins (as are most of the ones mentioned in the Christian Bible). Let us now examine what Mosaic law (adhered to strictly by orthodox Jews), says in regards to permissible (kosher) meat: " Then someone said to Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that has blood in it." "You have broken faith," he said. "Roll a large stone over here at once.” --1 Samuel 14:33 A Jewish Rabbi further states: "The purpose of shehita is suggested to indicate a reluctance to allowing eating meat wantonly - as indicated in Genesis 1:29 -- originally, we were supposed to be vegetarians. Genesis 9:3 indicates a compromise position -- where BLOOD is forbidden at all costs" "The knife, or CHALIF must be razor sharp and perfectly smooth…" "The shehita is restricted to the neck below the larynx, and preferably below the first Five regulations…" "Hagramah: ..cut must be made below the arynx, preferably below the first hard ring of the trachea and up to the place where the bronchial tubes begin to branch…." "Aquira - tearing out. The trachea and the esophagus must be cut with the blade and not torn out or lacerated in any way…." "After Shehita, the shoheet must examine the carcass to determine whether the greater part of the two pipes have been severed. When beasts or birds are slaughtered, the blood that flows from the cut must pour upon a bed of dust and be covered with dusts…." 2 Only portions of the Jewish practice of slaughtering as prescribed by Mosaic law are presented here to illustrate that the “kosher” method of slaughtering is actually an intricate process that is very similar to the Islamic method of slaughtering. While many Christians would argue that this law does not apply to them, Jesus himself (pbuh) practiced Mosaic law and instructed his followers that he did not come to destroy the law but rather to fulfill it. (Book of Matthew 5:17) We must then wonder if the modern day so-called “people of the book” in fact truly deserve that title at all. They are called People of the Book because they received a previous scripture, but if they do not adhere to it, then they obviously fall outside the category of People of the Book. Kosher slaughter methods are obviously not observed in most modern-day western slaughterhouses. It is, therefore, inexcusable to use the argument that food that is lawful under the religion of the People of the Book is lawful to Muslims. In that case, there is no difference between the two since the food acceptable by the true People of the Book requires essentially the same method of slaughtering as Muslims. The Other Perspective The other school of thinking on this matter holds that there is no difference between zabiha and halal meat. The two words are interchangeable. This is to say that food that is not zabiha (Islamically slaughtered) is outright haraam and should not be consumed under any circumstances unless, “…any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression…” (5:3). Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi answered a question regarding the food of the “people of the book.” Below is his answer on this matter. It sums up the thinking of the other perspective. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Question: What is your understanding of the ayat, meaning: “..the food of ahlul kitab is halal for you.." I am referring " ahlul kitab food" like meat, as the related topic we are discussing now. Would you comment on that? Answer: The ayat to which you have referred is ayat no. 5 in chapter 5; it says: "The FOOD of the people who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them." The Arabic word translated above as "food" is "ta`aam". Although this word is used for "food" in general, but in this verse it means only "grains" because of the following reasons: (1) In the usage of the people of Hijaz (i.e., Mecca and Medina), it was particularly used for "wheat". See the famous Arabic dictionaries like Lisanu 'l-`Arab and Ibn Athir's an-Nihayah. (2) Whenever the word "ta`aam" has been used as a noun and without any genitive construction (izafat) in the Qur'an, it usually means only "wheat". See the commentaries of most Muslim scholars on verses 2:184, 5:95 and 76:8. (3) The Imams of Ahlu 'l-Bayt (a.s.) have also said that the word "ta`aam" in this verse means "wheat and other grains". For further details see, `Allamah at-Tabataba'i, al-Mizan, vol. 5 (Arabic edition) p. 217, 227-231 wherein the late `Allamah has refuted the interpretation given by a prominent Sunni scholar of Egypt on the permissibility of eating the meat slaughtered by the Jews and the Christians (Ahlu 'l-Kitab). In the English translation edition of al-Mizan, this verse will be covered in volume 9 which is next in line for printing. 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Drawing Conclusions Having stated the above opinions, it is clear, even if the first more liberal opinion is considered, that it is more desirable and in fact necessary for Muslims to eat meat that has been properly slaughtered (zabiha). There are too many undetermined factors involved when one eats meat slaughtered by a western company. How was the meat slaughtered? Was it kept separate from haraam meat such as pork? Was the person who handled/slaughtered the meat an atheist, idol worshipper, Satan worshipper, or any other religion clearly not among the “People of the Book”? The point of this line of questioning is not to make the believers paranoid, but it is rather used to open up our eyes in hopes that we will realize the importance of eating Islamically slaughtered meat. There was perhaps a time in the west when it was nearly impossible to find zabiha meat. Muslims had not established their own businesses, companies, or even farms where they could do their own slaughtering. In the 21st century, however, there is no excuse. Not only is zabiha meat readily available, but it is actually reasonably priced, by the grace of Allah. Let us all therefore make an effort to eat only zabiha meat. It is better for ourselves, and it will also help support our Muslim businesses so that we can benefit as an Ummah as well. It is the healthy choice for our physical, mental, and spiritual lives. Allah knows best! Sources: 1. Al-Halal Wal Haram Fil Islam (The Lawful and The Prohibited in Islam) by Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi 2. A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice by Rabbi Isaac Klein published by the Jewish Theological Seminary 3. Question-Answer taken from: ‘Aalim Network, part of the Ahlul-bayt Digital Islamic Library Project (http://www.al-islam.org) – Kindly answered by ‘Aalim: Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi _________________________________________ OneUmmah Network e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage: http://www.OneUmmah.Net Free E-mail Service: http://mail.1ummah.net Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] e-mail entire list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The views expressed on One Ummah Information do not necessarily coincide with the views of One Ummah Network, with the Islamic Unification Movement, or its supporters. All the works presented by this service are properties of their authors unless otherwise stated. __________________________________________