The Carcasses and the Foods of the People of the Book

The final Statement of the Twenty-third Ordinary Session of the European Council for Fatwa and Research was held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina during the period 16^th – 19^th Sha’ban, 1434 Hijra corresponding to 25^th– 38^th of June, 2013

Resolution 1/23

The Carcasses and the Foods of the People of the Book

Upon reading the submitted papers and practical studies on this issue and lengthy deliberation conducted by Muslim jurists and experts, the ECFR resolves as follows:

First: Confirming the following points included in resolution No. 95 (3/10) issued by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy:

First: The Islamic legitimacy of killing animals and birds can be attained via one of the following:

• Dhabh, which involves the cutting of windpipe (throat), food-tract (oesophagus) and the two jugular veins, is the Islamically preferred method of killing sheep, cattle and birds intended for consumption. It is permissible for others.
• Nahr, which involves stabbing the pit i.e. central front bottom part of the neck, is the Islamically preferred method of killing camels and their likes. It is permissible for cattle.
• Aqr involves causing wound in any part of the body of the animal, which is not under control, be it wild but permissible to consume or tamed. However, if it is controlled alive then it should be subjected to Dhabh or Nahr.

Second: The Prerequisites of the Islamic legitimacy of killing animals and birds:

• It should be performed by an adult or a senior child Muslim, Christian or Jewish. Animals and birds, killed by idol worshippers, atheists, apostates, magi, and all the other non-believers of Islam except the Jews and the Christians are not Halal (Permissible to consume).
• A sharp tool, whose blade cuts easily and drains blood, metal or otherwise but not a tooth nor a hoof should be used. Consequently forbidden is the consumption of the strangled, whether by their actions or otherwise, the killed by a blow or a fall, or by goring, and the mauled by wild beasts unless slaughtered while still alive.
• The name of Allah must be invoked (mentioned) at the time of killing animals and birds. Nevertheless, if forgotten, they are still classified as Halal.

Third: Etiquettes of the Islamic legitimacy of killing animals and birds, welfare and clemency prior to, during and after killing: 

Tools used to kill animals and birds shall be sharp but not be sharpened within their sight, nor shall the killing be executed within the sight of another animal. The killed animals and birds shall not suffer; their parts shall not be cut, nor shall they be skinned or immersed in hot water or plucked unless their souls have utterly departed their bodies.

Fourth: Animals and birds subjected to Islamic legitimacy of killing shall be free from contagious diseases and shall not be harmful to consumers in any sense. This point must be confirmed regarding meat in the market and meat imported.

Fifth: Since it is deemed to be the most merciful method causing suffering the least, no level of unconsciousness is included in the original procedures of the Islamic legitimacy of killing animals and birds. Companies in charge of killing big animals are requested to develop their means in a way that achieves this value in a perfect manner. (ENDS)

Second: Since no level of unconsciousness is included in the original procedures of the Islamic legitimacy of killing animals and birds, in the case where this is difficult to observe, animals and birds should not die as a result of causing a level of unconsciousness or because of stunning before they are subjected to Islamic legitimacy of killing.

Third: The food of the people of the Book:

By virtue of the Qur’an, consumption of the food of the people of the Book is permissible. Allah says: “On this day all things that are clean have been made lawful for you; and made lawful for you is the food of the people of the Book, as your food is made lawful for them.” (Trans. 05:05) The term “the people of the Book” refers to the Christians and the Jews. This rule remains intact even though certain articles of their faith e.g. the Trinity are not in harmony with the original monotheism as this and other issues are mentioned prior to this rule in the same chapter. Nevertheless, the food of the people of the Book is lawful for Muslims provided that its legitimacy is approved of by their rabbis and priests, that it is not the meat of animals or birds that died prior to killing and that it is not pork since these categories are labelled as unlawful for Muslims in the Qur’an.

In this context, the ECFR stresses its resolution No. 2, issued in the 3rd session, recommends Muslims residing in the West have their own abattoirs to have peace of mind and preserve their religious and cultural identity.

The ECFR appeals to the West to recognize Muslims’ religious distinctiveness. Part of this recognition entails that Muslims, just like others, e.g., Jews, should have the right to practice the Islamic legitimacy of killing birds and animals. The ECFR also appeals to Islamic countries to import Halal meat supervised by entrusted Islamic centers based in the West.