Your Questions Answered (volume 3)

Q80: If Meat Becons Najis?

It is very difficult for us to know whether the meat or poultry we buy these days from butchery and other shops is 'Halal' or 'Haram' because (a) we don't know if the cattle or poultry is slaughtered according to the Islamic Principle, (b) we know that the scales are used for weighing pork also.

We know for certain that cattle and poultry is kept in cold storage together with the meat of other haram animals. Now in such situation, how can we continue to eat meat and poultry and at the same time ensure that it is halal. How about imported meat?

How can we be sure that these imported meat (fresh and tinned) are also halal? Please, we need a clear guidance on this: especially for our people who are now in Canada, where it is very difficult to know these things, in this connection, please enlighten us on the tinned fruits, breads, cakes, vegetables and other Chinese cooked food, fresh and tinned. How far can we use these?

A. I have been informed that in Tanzania, they follow the Islamic rules of slaughter. If, after proper slaughter, the meat becomes Najis by coming into contact with Najis meat or scales, it may be made 'Tahir' (clean) by water in normal way. If meat is imported from a Muslim country, you may use without any doubt.

The meat imported from non-Muslim countries is Najis and Haram (unless you know that this particular meat which you are buying was "slaughtered according to Islamic rules.)

The only way for a Shia Ithnasheris in Canada etc. is to purchase goat, for example, in shares, and slaughter it properly.

The imported food, in which meat or animal fat is not used, may be used (unless you know that this particular food which you are buying is Najis.)

Q81: BAKE-N-TAKE SHOPS

We have so many bake-n-take shops here in U.K., and i have noticed so many of our brothers buying such items from there and they eat it. The shop is owned by Christians, and you know that fish, chicken and other meat which they use there is not halal. Can we buy potatoes, bean-crisps from that shop and eat it which is also cooked there?

A. The meat of an animal killed by a non-Muslim is Najis. If that meat is cooked in pot, that pot also becomes Najis because of the Najasat of the meat. If the potatoes and beans are cooked in that very pot, then they will be Najis. But, if they are cooked in another pot, then you may use them according to the Fatwa of Agha-e-Hakeem (r.a.).

Q82: WHICH FISH ARE HALAL?

What sort of fish is allowed to be eaten according to our Sheriat?

A. Only the fish having scales is Halal in Shia Sheriat

Q83: FISH BOUGHT FROM A NON-MUSLIM

Can we eat fish bought from a Christian?

A. The only condition for a fish (which has scales) to be edible is that it should die out of water. If it dies in water, it becomes Haram.

Now, if you, or any other Muslim has seen it dying out of water it is Halal for you. But if you find it dead, in possession of a non-Muslim then it is Haram, even if he says that it had died out of water.

Q84: TINNED MEAT:

Whether tinned meat of 'Halal' animals and chicken (but not slaughtered in accordance with our sheriat not halal) is permissible to eat? Does the rule change if you are not aware whether it was slaughtered in our way or not?

A. Tinned meat of halal animals and chicken which were not slaughtered in accordance with our sheriat, is not halal and not permissible to eat. You must be sure that it was slaughtered in Islamic way.

Q85: FAT OF SHEEP AND OXEN

Please explain to me this verse:-

"And unto those who were Jews forbade we every animal having undivided hoof, and of oxen and sheep forbide We unto them fat of both save what is upon their backs or the entrails or what is mixed with bones; this We recompensed them for their rebellion, and verily We are truthful". (Al-Anaam 1:47).

Does this mean that the above is not to be owed any more, i.e. It was only for the Jews at the time?

A. Prophet Yakub (a.s.) had abstained from eating camel meat; and this continued in his clan. When Torah was given to Prophet Musa (as,), it confirmed this system for Bani Israel: They were allowed to eat "Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud among the beasts"

By this definition; camel, ostrich etc. were forbidden to them as the do not have divided hoof. But in Islam, this restriction was lifted. This ayat refers to it is you have rightly understood.

Q86: WHICH BIRDS ARE HALAL?

What about a feathery hen or bird?

A. The birds having following characteristics are Haram:

a) Birds of prey, like hawk; b) Birds which keep their wings straight longer than they beat them like Kits; c) Birds which do have neither maw nor craw; d) Birds whose egg is equal in circumference on both side (i.e- no like hen's egg).

The birds other than mentioned above are halal.

Q87: WORKING FOR A BREWERY

Is it not allowed in our religion of Islam to work as a clerk or driver in EA. Breweries. If no, give reasons from the Qur'an so as to convince me?

A. Yes, it is strictly forbidden in Islam to work in a brewery in any capacity. The reason is that all firms, companies and shops depend for their success on their employees. If they do not get employees, their business will collapse. So everyone working with a firm which does a 'Haram' business, helps, strengthens and sustains that business.

It is to save Muslims from helping 'Haram' business to flourish that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) strictly forbade working in any capacity in such concerns; and he more specifically mentioned the business of liquor. He said:

"Allah has done 'Laanat' on liquor, and the man who sows the seed of grape or grain for this purpose, and the man who makes liquor, and the man who drinks it, and the man who serves it, and the man who sells it, and the man who buys it, and the man who transports it, and the man to whom it is transported".

To give you an example from recent history, Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian leader, launched a "non-co-operation movement" in 1920's in India. He called on the Indians not to co- operate or participate in anything connected with British Government, The students left the Government Schools, the teachers and civil servants resigned; the lawyers left the courts, and the traders boycotted the English goods. This movement continued for a long time.

Of course, it did not at once topple the British rule in India. But in the long run it helped in getting the British out of India, firstly, by cultivating a feeling of 'national cause' in Indians, and secondly by showing the world how much the Indian public was against the British Rule.

We, the Muslims, are likewise in constant struggle against evil and Haram things; and, therefore, we are not allowed to help the evil in any way.

Q88: Making labels for breweries I intend to start a cottage industry producing labels for the Tanzania Market. In the process of running this industry, there is likelihood of order coming from Tanzania Breweries Ltd.

for making their labels. As you already know Tanzania Breweries dealings are mainly liquor the orders will be for making labels for their liquor cartons, liquor bottles, etc. ? Can you please advise me whether such business would be in order without contradicting our Sheriat?

The question of not accepting orders from them is out of question because once it is a registered industry and the only such industry in Tanzania, orders will have to be accepted or there will arise chaos,

A. It is my advice that you should not start this industry if you cannot refuse such orders.

Q89: MAKING TRAYS FOR BARMAN

If a barman wants a tray for use in sales of liquor, how can you refuse to sell when the article is displayed and price labelled?

A. It is 'haram' to sell anything to a person who, you know, wants to purchase it for Haram purpose. You may tell the barman frankly that you are not allowed by your religion to sell anything for the purpose of liquor.