Ruling for a wife whose husband is negligent about eating ḥalāl meat

Ruling for a wife whose husband is negligent about eating ḥalāl meat

By: Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford

Question:
A sister asks:
Her husband does not care whether the meat he eats is ḥalāl or not. He sometimes lies and says the meat he buys is ḥalāl, although she knows it is from the ordinary (non-ḥalāl) supermarket counter. What is the ruling for her — may she eat from it, and how should she deal with this situation?

Answer:
In Islām, the general rule concerning meat is that it is only lawful (ḥalāl) if it comes from an animal that is permissible in itself and is slaughtered according to the Sharīʿah, with the name of Allāh mentioned at the time of slaughter. Allāh ﷻ says: “So eat of that over which the name of Allāh has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses.” (Sūrah al-Anʿām 6:118)

Animals that are prohibited in and of themselves, such as pigs, dogs, and other impure creatures, are never lawful to eat, except in a state of dire necessity where life is at risk, as Allāh says: “…except what you are compelled to (consume).”
(Sūrah al-Anʿām 6:119)

Permissible animals such as chicken, sheep, and cows are only lawful to eat if they are slaughtered properly by cutting the throat and allowing the blood to flow, while mentioning the name of Allāh. If they are killed by stunning, strangling, or electrocution without proper slaughter, then the meat is unlawful.

Allāh ﷻ has also said: “The food of those who were given the Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them.” (Sūrah al-Mā’idah 5:5) The scholars explain that the “food” of the People of the Book, meaning the Jews and Christians, refers to their slaughtered animals. Hence, their meat is permissible for Muslims, provided it is slaughtered in a way they consider lawful and not in the name of anything besides Allāh. Some scholars take this verse in its general sense and therefore permit meat from Jews and Christians without asking how it was slaughtered, as long as it is their lawful food. However, the stronger and safer view is that this permission applies only when the animal has been properly slaughtered, not when it has been killed by methods that prevent the blood from flowing, such as electrocution or mechanical stunning. If it is known that the animal was killed in a non-Islamic way, then it is not permissible to eat it.

In the modern context, meat sold in ordinary supermarkets in non-Muslim countries is often not slaughtered according to the Islamic method. It is usually killed by stunning or mechanical means, without any mention of Allāh’s name. Therefore, if the wife knows for certain that the meat is of this nature, she must not eat it. However, if she is unsure and her husband claims that it is ḥalāl, and the meat is from animals that are lawful in themselves, she may say Bismillāh before eating and there will be no sin upon her, especially if refusing to eat would cause serious tension or conflict in the household. The sin of negligence or deceit lies with the husband if he is lying or indifferent to what Allāh has made lawful and unlawful.

This is supported by the ḥadīth of ʿĀ’ishah (may Allāh be pleased with her), who said: “Some people said, ‘O Messenger of Allāh, people bring us meat and we do not know whether the name of Allāh has been mentioned upon it or not.’ He said: ‘Mention the name of Allāh yourselves and eat it.’” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī) This indicates that one is not required to investigate excessively, nor to ask about every detail, so long as the meat is not known to be unlawful with certainty.

The husband in this case bears a grave responsibility. As the head of the family, it is his duty to ensure that his household consumes what is lawful and pure. Allāh says:
“O you who believe, eat of the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allāh.” (Sūrah al-Baqarah 2:172)

To lie about food or to knowingly bring ḥarām into one’s home is a major sin. Such a person should repent sincerely, for lawful provision brings blessing and light into the home, whereas unlawful food removes blessing and prevents one’s supplications from being accepted.
The wife, on her part, should avoid eating anything she knows to be ḥarām. If she is doubtful and cannot confirm, she may eat after saying Bismillāh, especially to preserve peace within the home. She should continue to remind her husband gently, without harshness or argument, that ḥalāl rizq brings barakah and is a protection for the family. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed Allāh is Pure and accepts only that which is pure.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

May Allāh purify our provision, guide our hearts, and bless our families with ḥalāl and wholesome sustenance.

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