Yet despite these c;ear instructions, many a Muslims living in non Muslim countries where Halal food / meat is not available, oft misinterpret a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and consume non-Halal food by saying "Bismaillah / in the name of Allah."
We share this misinterpreted Hadith as mentioned in Sahi Bukhari Book 34, Chapter 5 as Hadith number 2057, given herein under and would explain how this Hadith is misued to consume prohibited meat or food:
This hadith, narrated by ʿĀ’ishah (RA) addresses the issue of doubt regarding whether proper Islamic slaughtering procedures were followed, especially when dealing with new Muslims whose practices might not yet be fully refined.
Narrated by `Aisha:
Some people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Meat is brought to us by some people and we are not sure whether the name of Allah has been mentioned on it or not (at the time of slaughtering the animals)." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said (to them), "Mention the name of Allah and eat it."
حَدَّثَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ الْمِقْدَامِ الْعِجْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الطُّفَاوِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ،، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ قَوْمًا، قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ قَوْمًا يَأْتُونَنَا بِاللَّحْمِ لاَ نَدْرِي أَذَكَرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ أَمْ لاَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " سَمُّوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ وَكُلُوهُ ".
Now here is a catch point that generally Muslims ignore. As can be seen from the text of the Hadith, it is very clear that the food brought was by the Muslims, specially the newly reverted, and it was not very sure that they took name of Allah before slaughtering the animals and the questioners were unsure of the validity of their slaughtering. Whereas the food served in the non Muslim countries is for sure not Halal, unlesse labeled Halal, and by mere taking name of Allah does not make it Halal and consumable by the Muslims.
Let us now explain the Hadith for better understanding and help us avoid any chances of its misinterpretation:
Legal and Ethical Analysis
- Assumption of Validity in Islamic Slaughter This hadith forms the basis of a legal principle in Islamic jurisprudence:
- “Al-aslu fil ashya’ al-ibahah” “The default in matters is permissibility unless there is evidence to the contrary.”
- So, if Muslims (even new ones) slaughter the meat, and there is no clear evidence that they violated Islamic rules (like not mentioning Allah’s name intentionally), the meat is considered lawful.
- Reinforcement of Personal Responsibility
- The Prophet ﷺ said: “Mention the name of Allah upon it and eat.”
- This doesn’t mean to repeat the slaughtering, but to say Bismillah when eating as an act of barakah and remembrance.
- This teaches that:
- You are responsible for your own remembrance.
- Don’t delve into unnecessary suspicion unless there is clear proof of wrongdoing.
- Dealing with Doubtful Situations
- The hadith implies:
- Avoiding waswas (baseless doubt): The people were unsure, not certain of wrongdoing.
- Islam teaches practicality and charity in assumptions, especially with other Muslims.
- Qur'an Connection: “O you who believe, avoid much suspicion. Indeed, some suspicion is sin…” — Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12)
- Respecting New Muslims and Gradual Teaching These new Muslims were likely unfamiliar with all rulings. The Prophet ﷺ didn’t command re-slaughtering or deep investigation, showing:
- Tolerant leadership
- Gradual teaching (tadarruj)
- Respecting people’s growth in Islam
Scholarly Application:
- This hadith is used by major madhhabs (e.g., Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali) to assume halal slaughter from Muslims unless there is proof to the contrary.
- Also cited in discussions on eating meat from People of the Book (see Qur’an 5:5), though that involves a different layer of interpretation.
Summary: Key Legal Principles from the Hadith - Principle Explanation
- Assumption of Halal: If slaughtered by Muslims, assume it's halal unless proven otherwise.
- Avoid Suspicion: Don’t investigate baseless doubts — act on what is apparent.
- Say Bismillah When Eating: Your responsibility is to remember Allah when you eat.
- Gentle Approach to New Muslims: Allow time and patience in teaching new believers.
In view of the above explanation, it is clear without any doubt that permission to eat meat / food by Muslims is permissiable and if in doubt whether it was slaughtered by taking name of Allah, one should say Bismallah and consume the meat / food. But this condition in no way allows Muslims to take name of Allah and eat whatever is being served by Non Muslims / non Muslims eatiers. However, if the eatery served Halal meat is labelled so, then one may consume it.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing. one may also consult local Muslim Imamam of the masjid for more calrification.
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