Meat in restaurants in non-Muslim countries

The meats available in non-Muslim countries are of different types:

— Fish is halal in all circumstances, because its being halal does not depend on how it is slaughtered or whether the name of Allah is mentioned over it.

— With regard to other kinds of meat, if those who slaughter it – companies or individuals – are from the People of the Book, Jews or Christians, and it is known that they do not kill the animals by means of electric shocks, strangulation or blows to the head, as is known in the West, then the meat is permissible. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Made lawful to you this day are At-Tayyibaat [all kinds of halal (lawful) foods, which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits)]. The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them” [al-Maa’idah 5:5]

But if they kill the animals by means of some of these methods (electric shocks, etc), then the meat is haram, because in that case the animals are counted as having been killed by strangling or by a violent blow (cf. Al-Maa’idah 5:3). If those who slaughter the meat are not Jews or Christians, then the meat that they offer is haram. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Eat not (O believers) of that (meat) on which Allah’s Name has not been pronounced (at the time of the slaughtering of the animal), for sure it is Fisq (a sin and disobedience of Allah)” [al-A’naam 6:121]

So the Muslim must strive to avoid what is obviously haram, and be cautious of doubtful things, and be keen to keep his religious commitment safe and to protect his body from haram foods.