Halaal meat at invitations

Question:-

For approximately ten years now, I have been trying to consume unstunned chicken and meats. I stopped eating take-aways and I have also tried avoiding as many functions as possible, so as not to offend anyone.

My close families and friends know of this and most have accepted it and try to accommodate me and my family. Some are upset and have become distant.

Allah Ta’ala knows best that I am trying.

We took a very strict approach, as it was becoming confusing for the family. We, therefore, decided that if we knew that the meats were safe to consume, then only we do partake of the meat. Initially we used to ask, and I then found that sometimes many people become uncomfortable, so now we just try to avoid it as much as possible, but this also becomes an issue.

I definitely have a doubt on all commercial meats. If I hear that a person purchases from someone who hand-slaughtered and does not stun, I am immediately comfortable and I consume.

Please advise us. It becomes very difficult to avoid close family gatherings, personal family invitations, Walimas, etc.

Answer:-

Alhamdulillah, you have taken the correct approach since Halaal meat is an issue in our time. If it is known that the meat is 100% Halaal, then there is no harm in attending and consuming the meat. If the status of the meat is unknown, then you should enquire with regard to the Halaal status of the meat, and if it is confirmed that the meat is Halaal, then you may attend. However, if you find it difficult to enquire from the host as they may find it offensive, then it is better not to attend.

اتَّفَقَ الْفُقَهَاءُ عَلَى أَنَّهُ إِذَا أَخْبَرَ الثِّقَةُ بِنَجَاسَةِ مَاءٍ، أَوْ ثَوْبٍ، أَوْ طَعَامٍ، أَوْ غَيْرِهِ، وَبَيَّنَ سَبَبَ النَّجَاسَةِ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ السَّبَبُ يَقْتَضِي النَّجَاسَةَ حُكِمَ بِنَجَاسَتِهِ؛ لأَِنَّ خَبَرَ الْوَاحِدِ الْعَدْل فِي مِثْل هَذِهِ الأَْشْيَاءِ مَقْبُولٌ، وَلَيْسَ هَذَا مِنْ بَابِ الشَّهَادَةِ، وَإِنَّمَا هُوَ مِنْ بَابِ الْخَبَرِ، وَكَذَا لَوْ أَخْبَرَ عَنْ دُخُول وَقْتِ الصَّلاَةِ، وَعَنْ حُرْمَةِ الطَّعَامِ أَوْ حِلِّهِ، وَلاَ فَرْقَ فِي هَذَا بَيْنَ الرَّجُل وَالْمَرْأَةِ، وَلاَ بَيْنَ الأَْعْمَى وَالْبَصِيرِ بِخِلاَفِ الْكَافِرِ وَالْفَاسِقِ فَلاَ يُقْبَل خَبَرُهُمَا فِي النَّجَاسَةِ وَالطَّهَارَةِ، وَكَذَا الْمَجْنُونُ وَالصَّبِيُّ الَّذِي لاَ يُمَيِّزُ فَلاَ يُقْبَل خَبَرُهُمَا فِي مِثْل هَذِهِ الأْشْيَاءِ بِلاَ خِلاَفٍ (الموسوعة الفقهية ص19 ج15)

خَبَرُ الْوَاحِدِ يُقْبَلُ فِي الدِّيَانَاتِ كَالْحِلِّ وَالْحُرْمَةِ وَالطَّهَارَةِ وَالنَّجَاسَةِ إذَا كَانَ مُسْلِمًا عَدْلًا ذَكَرًا أَوْ أُنْثَى حُرًّا أَوْ عَبْدًا مَحْدُودًا أَوْ لَا، وَلَا يُشْتَرَطُ لَفْظُ الشَّهَادَةِ وَالْعَدَدُ، كَذَا فِي الْوَجِيزِ لِلْكَرْدَرِيِّ، وَهَكَذَا فِي مُحِيطِ السَّرَخْسِيِّ وَالْهِدَايَةِ وَلَا يُقْبَلُ قَوْلُ الْكَافِرِ فِي الدِّيَانَاتِ إلَّا إذَا كَانَ قَبُولُ قَوْلِ الْكَافِرِ فِي الْمُعَامَلَاتِ يَتَضَمَّنُ قَوْلَهُ فِي الدِّيَانَاتِ، فَحِينَئِذٍ تَدْخُلُ الدِّيَانَاتُ فِي ضِمْنِ الْمُعَامَلَاتِ فَيُقْبَلُ قَوْلُهُ فِيهَا ضَرُورَةً هَكَذَا فِي التَّبْيِينِ. (الفتاوي الهندية ص308 ج5)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 24 Rajab 1444 / 15 February 2023