Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Burhan,

Please explain the subtle differences in the following Aayahs.

Al-Baqara

172. O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship. 173. He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then is he guiltless. For

Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.

Al-Anam

118. So eat of (meats) on which Allah.s name hath been pronounced, if ye have faith in His signs. 119. Why should ye not eat of (meats) on which Allah.s name hath been pronounced, when He hath explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you - except under compulsion of necessity? But many do mislead (men) by their appetites unchecked by knowledge. Thy Lord knoweth best those who

transgress. 120. Eschew all sin, open or secret: those who earn sin will get due recompense for their "earnings."

121. Eat not of (meats) on which Allah.s name hath not been pronounced: That would be impiety. But the evil ones ever inspire their friends to contend with you if ye were to obey them, ye would indeed be Pagans.

Al-Maidah

All the good and pure things have today been made ‘halaal’ for you; the food of the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) is ‘halaal’ for you, and your food for them.

In Surah Al-Baqara, Allah says "He hath only forbidden you dead .... and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah." In Surah Al-Anam, Allah says "Eat not of (meats) on which Allah.s name hath not been pronounced". In Al-Maidah, food of people of the book is made halaal, but christans do eat pork?

In one of your responses regarding burgers from McDonalds and other restaurants, you mentioned that if we are satisfied with 5

conditions.....Tell me how practical it is to get satisfied with how the animal was slaughtered and who slaughtered the animal for these

restaurants?

Please respond ASAP.

Wassalaam.

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Answer:

Superceding aayahs on halaal and haraam food

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your question: Please explain the subtle differences in the following Aayahs: Surah Baqarah verses 172-172, Surah Al Anam 118-121, and Surah Maidah verse 5.

Firstly, to understand the subtle differences between the above three verses regarding the haraam/halaal foods, one must realize the chronology of the Revelations of these verses.

The verses of Surah Al-Anam were revealed in the Makkah period, then the verses of Surah Baqarah in the early part of the Medina period which supercede the aayahs of Surah Anaam, and finally the verses of Surah Maidah in the later part of the Medina period, which supercede all the other aayahs regarding the matter.

Your question: In Surah Al-Baqara, Allah says "He hath only forbidden you dead .... and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah."

In Surah Al-Anam, Allah says "Eat not of (meats) on which Allah.s name hath not been pronounced". In Al-Maidah, food of people of the book is made halaal, but christans do eat pork?

Beloved brother, even if a believer (Allah forbid) slaughters swine or any other haraam animal, and says the name of Allah over it, the meat of swine or any other haraam animal will always be considered haraam as food for the believers; that is because swine is in its essence haraam! And no matter who slaughters the swine or any haraam animal, or how, and no matter whose name he calls over it; it will always be haraam.

When Allah Subhanah declares the food of the People of the Book (the Jews and the Christians) halaal for the believers, it is a pre-condition that the food itself must be a halaal in its essence. Thus if a Jew, or a Christian, or even a Muslim serves swine or any other haraam animal, it will not be considered halaal food for the believers.

The verse of Surah Maidah whereby Allah Subhanah declares the food of the People of the Book halaal for the believers was the last of the aayahs revealed regarding the permissibility of foods, and a special consideration and exception towards the followers of the two monotheistic Abrahamic religions. Even if the People of the Book today do not invoke the name of Allah Subhanah on their slaughter, their food will be considered halaal for the believers provided:

1.      The animal itself is halaal in its essence.

2.      The animal did not die of itself, or from a headlong fall, or by strangling, or by being gored to death, or by being attacked by a wild animal, etc. but was duly slaughtered when alive.

3.      The food is not a offering of their alters.

Even if a muslim does not fulfill the above three conditions, the food he offers will be considered haraam for the believers!

Your question: In one of your responses regarding burgers from McDonalds and other restaurants, you mentioned that if we are satisfied with 5 conditions.....Tell me how practical it is to get satisfied with how the animal was slaughtered and who slaughtered the animal for these restaurants?

The allowance or forbiddance of the food served by McDonalds and other western fast food chains is a new development of our times, and a matter for the Islamic scholars to decide on in light of the Quran and Sunnah. The truth is that there is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars of Islam regarding the permissibility of the food served at these western fast food chains.

If one eats food from McDonalds or any other western fast food chain in predominantly muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.; it would be safe to assume that the food is halaal.

And if one eats from any of the normal restaurants from a predominantly pagan or mushrik country like China, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc.; it would be safe to assume that the food is haraam.

The issue arises when one eats from these fast food chains from countries which are predominantly of the Jews and the Christians, like in Europe or USA! You are absolutely right in asking ‘how practical it is to get satisfied with how the animal was slaughtered and who slaughtered the animal for these restaurants?’ Exactly how practical it is to ask the restaurant, is a question each person has to decide for himself. If one goes and asks the restaurant manager in these countries, and he confirms that the animal was slaughtered while alive by either a Muslim, a Jew, or a Christian; then the food is halaal.

But in our humble opinion, and I again reiterate that it is only our humble opinion, it would be best and purer for a believer to stay away if one doubts or suspects the food being served is halaal or haraam. Our opinion is derived from the following wise words of the Messenger of Allah (saws):

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.49 Narrated by An Numan bin Bashir

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying, “Both the halaal and the haraam are evident; but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things, and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things, saves his religion and his honor.”

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan