The Slaughter of the People of Innovation

Author: Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai

Question:​

Is the slaughter of polytheists, other than the People of the Book, prohibited? What is the ruling regarding the slaughter of butchers in Pakistan, given that the majority are irreligious? What is the authenticity of these narrations?

1. Saeed bin Mansoor narrates from Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: "Do not eat the slaughter of anyone except Muslims and the People of the Book."
   • [Kashaf al-Qina 6/205]
2. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked what if a Muslim forgets to say 'Bismillah' at the time of slaughter? He said, "It will be eaten." He was then asked: "What if a Magian says 'Bismillah' and slaughters?" He replied, "It will not be eaten."
   • [Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim 4/233, Hadith 7572]
3. Ibn Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "You have come to a place where there are no Muslim butchers, but only Nabateans or Magians. Therefore, when you buy meat, inquire. If it is slaughtered by a Jew or Christian, eat it, for their slaughter and food are lawful for you."
   • [Musannaf Abd al-Razzaq 4/487, Hadith 8578]

Is there any companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or any of the Tabi'een who permits the slaughter of polytheists? Please provide detailed guidance on this issue.

Answer:​

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace be upon His faithful Messenger.

Allah Almighty says:

فَكُلُوْا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ ​

"And eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned when it is slaughtered."

• [Al-An'am 118]

According to this verse and other evidences, it is agreed upon that the slaughtered animal of a Muslim with correct beliefs is lawful, provided that the name of Allah is mentioned at the time of slaughter and there is no legal impediment. See:

• [Mawsu'ah al-Ijma' fi al-Fiqh al-Islami 2/448]

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that people said: "O Messenger of Allah! There are people who have recently embraced Islam and bring us meat, and we do not know whether they mentioned the name of Allah upon slaughtering or not?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Mention the name of Allah and eat."

• [Sahih Bukhari 2057, 7398]

This indicates that the slaughter of Muslims will be eaten based on good assumption and it is not necessary to inquire from every butcher whether they mentioned the name of Allah. If it is proven that the name of Allah was not mentioned at the time of slaughter, the meat is unlawful. Allah Almighty says:

وَلَا تَاْ كُلُوْا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِاسْمُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ وَاِنَّه لَفِسْقٌ​

"And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed it is grave disobedience."

• [Al-An'am 121]

If the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) mention the name of Allah (God) on the lawful animal at the time of slaughter, then it is lawful. Allah Almighty says:

وَطَعَامُ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُو الْكِتٰبَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ​

"And the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you."

• [Al-Ma'idah 5]

Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari explains in the interpretation of this verse that the slaughter of the People of the Book is lawful for you:

• [Tafsir al-Tabari 6/64]

Imam Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri mentioned about the Christians of Arabia that their slaughtered animals are eaten because they are from the People of the Book and mention the name of Allah.

• [Tafsir al-Tabari 6/65, with an authentic chain]

There is consensus that every Jew and every Christian's slaughter is lawful, provided they mention the name of Allah. See:

• [Tafsir Ibn Jarir al-Tabari 6/66]

There is consensus that the slaughter of all other religions, such as Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs, is unlawful, as well as the slaughter of apostates and heretics. Therefore, the slaughter of Ahmadis, Bahais, Nusairis, and Druze, who are apostates, is unlawful.

The Major Groups Among Claimants of Islam:​

1. Ahl al-Sunnah (people with correct beliefs)
2. Ahl al-Bid'ah (people with innovated beliefs)

Regarding Their Slaughter:​

Ahl al-Sunnah are of two types in terms of belief:

1. Those with righteous deeds
2. Those who are sinners and transgressors

A significant issue is the abandonment of prayer. Some scholars consider the one who abandons prayer a disbeliever, while others regard them as a sinner. Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim collected the evidence of both parties in his book "Kitab al-Salah". The research of scholars like Sheikh al-Albani is that the one who abandons prayer is not a disbeliever.
Mawlana Abdullah Rupuri was asked: "Is it permissible for Muslims to eat the slaughter of someone who does not pray?" He replied: "Indeed, the one who does not pray is a disbeliever, whether he abandons one prayer or all prayers, because of the general ruling that whoever deliberately abandons prayer has disbelieved. Therefore, the slaughter of one who does not pray can be considered permissible similar to that of a Christian. However, it is better to avoid it if possible."

• [Fatawa Ahl al-Hadith 2/604]

Our respected teacher Hafiz Abdul Mannan Noor Puri was asked: "If a person does not pray, is their slaughter lawful or unlawful?" He replied: "The verse clearly states that the food of the People of the Book is lawful for you, and they are still from the People of the Book even if they do not pray. However, if it is proven that at the time of slaughter they mentioned other than the name of Allah, then it is unlawful, whether the slaughterer prays or not."

• [Ahkam wa Masail 1/452]

Hafiz Abdul Mannan was also asked: "Is meat from the market lawful or unlawful, considering that most butchers in Pakistan do not pray or care about religion?" He replied: "It is lawful because the slaughter of the People of the Book is lawful, and the butchers in Pakistan are still better than them since they profess the testimony of faith. However, they must mention 'Bismillah Allahu Akbar' at the time of slaughter and not dedicate it to anyone other than Allah."

• [Ahkam wa Masail 1/452]

The People of Innovation:​

There are two main types of innovation:

1. Minor Innovation
   • Not leading to disbelief or major sin
   • Example: Considering Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) superior to Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him)
2. Major Innovation
   • Leading to disbelief or major sin
   • Two sub-types:
     • Innovations leading to disbelief
       • Example: Believing the Quran is created
     • Innovations leading to major sin
       • Example: Cursing the companions (may Allah be pleased with them)

Conclusion:​

1. The slaughter of polytheists such as Hindus or Buddhists is unlawful.
2. The slaughter of irreligious butchers in Pakistan, if they profess the testimony of faith and mention the name of Allah, is lawful.
3. The slaughter of the People of Innovation, if they adhere to the basic tenets of Islam and mention the name of Allah, is lawful.
4. It is better to consume the slaughter of a devout Muslim.

The consensus is that every Jew and every Christian's slaughter is lawful, provided they mention the name of Allah. See:

• [Tafsir Ibn Jarir al-Tabari 6/66]

This consensus also applies to apostates and heretics. Therefore, the slaughter of Ahmadis, Bahais, Nusairis, and Druze, who are apostates, is unlawful.

Ahl al-Bid'ah and Their Narrations:​

The narrations of people of innovation are accepted in Sahih collections, indicating that their slaughter is lawful:

1. Khalid bin Mukhallad: A narrator of Sahihayn, deemed trustworthy despite being a Shia extremist.
   • [Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd 6/406, Ahwal al-Rijal 108]
2. Ali bin al-Ja'ad: A narrator of Sahih Bukhari, considered trustworthy.
   • [Tarikh Baghdad 11/364]
3. Abbad bin Ya'qub: A narrator of Sahih Bukhari, considered trustworthy despite being a Rafidhi (Shia extremist).
   • [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1497, al-Kamil by Ibn Adi 4/1653, al-Majruhin by Ibn Hibban 2/172]

Hafiz Dhahabi stated beautifully:"His truthfulness is for us, and his innovation is upon him."

• [Mizan al-I'tidal 1/5]

Hence, their slaughter is lawful.

Summary:​

1. The slaughter of polytheists, apostates, and heretics is unquestionably unlawful.
2. The slaughter of people of innovation is lawful if they do not deny any fundamental aspect of Islam.
3. Among the seventy-three sects within the Muslim Ummah, those not declared as disbelievers are still considered within the fold of Islam.

Caution:​

It is better to consume the slaughter of a devout Muslim. Differences among sects should not lead to issuing general takfiri (excommunication) rulings without clear evidence. The sectarian differences should be approached with wisdom, and efforts should be made to invite them to the true teachings of Islam.
May Allah guide us to the truth and protect us from innovations.