Ruling on the Slaughter of One Who Commits Clear Shirk: In the Light of Qur’an and Hadith
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1
Question:
Are those Muslims who commit shirk with Allah included among the People of the Book, and is it permissible to eat their slaughtered animals?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
◄ Whoever commits clear shirk, his slaughtered meat is ḥarām.
◄ This ruling applies equally whether such a mushrik outwardly identifies as a Muslim or belongs to the People of the Book.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَى أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ﴾
(al-Anʿām: 121)
Translation:
“And do not eat of that over which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is sinful. And indeed, the devils inspire their allies to dispute with you, and if you obey them, you would surely be polytheists.”
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله:
"أما المشركون فاتفقت الأمة على تحريم نكاح نسائهم وطعامهم"
(Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā, 8/100)
“Regarding the polytheists, the Ummah is unanimously agreed on the prohibition of marrying their women and eating their food.”
Imam Abu Bakr al-Jaṣṣāṣ al-Ḥanafi رحمه الله:
"وقد علّمنا أنّ المشركين وإن سمّوا على ذبائحهم لم تؤكل"
“We have been taught that even if the polytheists pronounce the Name of Allah upon their slaughtered animals, their meat is still not to be eaten.”
The slaughter of one who commits clear shirk—whether he outwardly identifies as a Muslim or belongs to the People of the Book—is harām, even if he mentions the Name of Allah at the time of slaughter.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1
Question:
Are those Muslims who commit shirk with Allah included among the People of the Book, and is it permissible to eat their slaughtered animals?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
◄ Whoever commits clear shirk, his slaughtered meat is ḥarām.
◄ This ruling applies equally whether such a mushrik outwardly identifies as a Muslim or belongs to the People of the Book.
Qur’anic Evidence
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَى أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ﴾
(al-Anʿām: 121)
Translation:
“And do not eat of that over which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is sinful. And indeed, the devils inspire their allies to dispute with you, and if you obey them, you would surely be polytheists.”
Statements of the Imams
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله:
"أما المشركون فاتفقت الأمة على تحريم نكاح نسائهم وطعامهم"
(Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā, 8/100)
“Regarding the polytheists, the Ummah is unanimously agreed on the prohibition of marrying their women and eating their food.”
Imam Abu Bakr al-Jaṣṣāṣ al-Ḥanafi رحمه الله:
"وقد علّمنا أنّ المشركين وإن سمّوا على ذبائحهم لم تؤكل"
“We have been taught that even if the polytheists pronounce the Name of Allah upon their slaughtered animals, their meat is still not to be eaten.”
Conclusion
The slaughter of one who commits clear shirk—whether he outwardly identifies as a Muslim or belongs to the People of the Book—is harām, even if he mentions the Name of Allah at the time of slaughter.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
