Imported Meats in Saudi Arabia
By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
| Q.) What are the orders of Shar'iah regarding the chicken and meats cooked and
served in Saudi Arabian restaurants? These stuff are imported from New Zealand and
Australia. They claim that these stuff is butchered there in accordance with Shar'iah.
Many ulemas and mashaaikh do not eat these in Makkah and Madinah, during Hajj and Umrah
time. Is it permissible to eat that? I would be highly obliged for your guidance. Mohmedali
Bhaidu [Brampton, Canada] |
A.) According to our observations, chicken meat in the Holy lands is obtained
and slaughtered locally as well as imported. The local meat is Halal and can be identified
by the 'al-Watania' packaging.
Imported chicken meat comes from many other countries besides New Zealand and
Australia. People have witnessed chicken in boxes marked from other countries, for
example, Holland. Since we are not certain whether all the chickens imported are
slaughtered according to Shar'iah or not, it will not be permissible to consume any
of the imported chickens. This is also the advice of many prominent Ulama residing in the
Holy lands.
And Allah Taala Knows Best.
Further Reading: Ahkam-uz-Zabaih
Q & A