Lailatul Barat (Shab-E-Barat) – The Night Of Forgiveness.

The holy Lailatul Barat (Shab-E-Barat) – The Night Of Forgiveness, is observed on 15th night of the month Sha’ban.

Laylat al-Barat – The Night of Salvation

The 15th night of Shabaan is a very blessed night. According to the Hadith Shareef, the name of this Mubarak night is “Nisf Sha’baan” which means 15th night of Shabaan. The reason for this special night to attain its name of Laylat al-Bara’ah, meaning the Night of Salvation, Seeking Freedom from Azaab and Calamity, is that in this night the Barakaat and acceptance of repentance may be accomplished. 

The month of Sha’ban is the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The fifteenth night of this month is known as Laylatul Bara’ah or Laylatun Nisfe min Sha’ban in the Arab world. it is known as Shab-e-barat.

Shab-E-Barat means the night of forgiveness or Day of Atonement. In Persian language, ‘Shab’ means night and ‘Barat’ means ‘the night of commission or assignment’. In Arabic language, however, the day is known as Lailatul Bara'at, meaning the night of emancipation.

 It is the special night of seeking forgiveness and repenting to Almighty Allah, remembering our past sins and sincerely settling the mind that one will never commits sins in the future.

Muslims hold a belief that if someone prays to Allah throughout the night and seek forgiveness for all the sins he may have committed, he could be forgiven. Therefore, the entire night of prayer is devoted to asking for forgiveness for the past year and for good fortune in the year to come.

Imam Tirmizi has recorded the following Holy Hadith :

“Narrated Hazrat Ayesha that one night (Prophet's wife awoke and) she did not find Prophet (PBUH) (in his bed). She went out (to search for him) and found him in Baqi’ (the graveyard in Madinah)... The Prophet (PBUH) said: In the night of 15th of Sha’ban, Allah descends to the lowest of skies and grants pardon to the people more than the number of hair of the goats of Kal’b tribe.”

The month of Sha’ban is a great month.In this month Allah takes the account of His creation. The Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) loved to fast during this month. He used to fast most of the month of Sha’ban.

After sunset during the night of Middle of Sha’ban, Allah in His great mercy and kindness turns towards His creation and asks, “Is there anyone who would seek My forgiveness and I forgive him/her? Is there anyone who is in need to ask Me and I provide for his/her needs. Is there anyone who in pain and seek My help and I help him/her? Is there? Is there? until the time of Fajr (morning prayer).

Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) recommended prayers during this night and fasting during the following day.

It reported that the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) used to visit the Muslim cemetery on this evening and he used to pray for the deceased Muslims. These are the things that we learn from some Ahadith (Words of Prophet) about the significance of this night.

Muslims accomplish good deeds with care. Often many Muslims have a good intention, Satisfy the Almighty, However very unfortunately they don’t accomplish the deed in the in the right way. How can such a deed then be accepted as ‘good’? Wrong way of accomplishing deeds spoil our outcome.

Before performing any deed a Muslim must always ask: Am I accomplishing a good deed with right intention and am I doing it in the right way?

The right way and only accepted way is the Way of our Beloved Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) Way of performing Deed.

It is our duty to take advantage of all good occasions to revive our faith, to purify our souls and to increase our love and devotion to the Almighty.

Shab-e-Barat is observed with due solemnity and religious fervor in different parts of the world. 
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Is oral sex is permissible and lawful in Islam?

Question:

I read on your website that oral sex is permissible. How can this be the case when it can lead to injesting impurities? A man's and woman's genitals are impure. Common sense should tell us that this act is inherently shameful and unlawful. Just because something is not mentioned does not mean that you go out and do it.

Answered by: Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî, former professor at al-Imâm University in Riyadh.

Oral sex is lawful for both the husband and wife. It can be understood from the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying: “Approach from the front or the back, but avoid anal sex and sex during menstruation.”

This is clear evidence that the prohibited sexual acts are anal intercourse and intercourse with a woman during menstruation and post natal-bleeding. Everything else between a husband and a wife is permissible.

The possibility of the existence of impurity does not stand as a sufficient evidence for forbidding it. If a person thinks the intake of impurity is imminent, he must take action to avoid it.

The female genitals are not impure as long as they are free from ordinary impurities.

A feeling of guilt cannot stand as evidence for the unlawfulness of something. The evidence can only be derived from what is in Allah’s Book or the Prophet’s Sunnah (peace be upon him). There is no evidence whatsoever from these two sources forbidding this practice. Therefore, as things are basically lawful unless evidence to the contrary exists, then this practice is lawful.

Some people may dislike a practice for their own personal reasons, but we cannot say that it is an unlawful practice in Islam.

http://en.islamtoday.net/node/1514

Marriage in Islam: How to perform an Islamic wedding

Marriage in Islam is viewed as a religious obligation, a contract between the couple and Allah. Most marriages are performed by an Imam but any adult Muslim who understands the Islamic traditions can officiate a wedding. 

The marriage contract includes a meher -- a formal statement specifying the monetary amount the groom will give the bride. 

There are two parts to the meher: a prompt due before the marriage is consummated and a deferred amount given to the bride throughout her life. Today, many couples use the ring as the prompt because the groom presents it during the ceremony. The deferred amount can be a small sum -- a formality -- or an actual gift of money, land, jewelry, or even an education. The gift belongs to the bride to use as she pleases, unless the marriage breaks up before consummation. The meher is considered the bride's security and guarantee of freedom within the marriage.

The 5 components of an Islamic Wedding are:

1. The Consent of Groom and Bride.

2. The Marriage Contract.

3. The Officiant who perform the wedding.

4. The Sermon (Khutba-tun-Nikah).

5. Two adult sane witnesses.

Nikah (The wedding ceremony)

The marriage contract is signed in a nikah ceremony, in which the groom proposes to the bride in front of at least two witnesses, stating the details of the meher. The bride and groom demonstrate their free will by repeating the word qabul ("I accept," in Arabic) three times. Then the couple and two male witnesses sign the contract, making the marriage legal according to civil and religious law. Following traditional Islamic customs, the bride and groom may share a piece of sweet fruit, such as a date. If men and women are separated for the ceremony, a male representative called a wali acts in the bride's behalf during the nikah.

The Imam or Officiant start the Wedding Ceremony with reciting the  Sermon (Khutba-tun-Nikah) as follows;

After Reciting the above Verses from the Holy Quran, the Officiant says:

"Today, we are gathered here to witness the union of (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) in holy matrimony".  

Then the Officiant ask the Bride 3 times:

To Bride: (Bride's Name) do you Accept ( (Groom's Name) as your lawful wedded husband to love, comfort, honor and cherish him and be faithful to him from this day forward,  forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?

The Bride answer: Yes, I do.

Then the Officiant ask the Groom 3 times:

To Groom: (Groom's Name) do you Accept (Bride's Name) as your lawful wedded wife to love, comfort, honor and cherish her and be faithful to her from this day forward,  forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?

The Groom answer: Yes, I do.

Then he ask both of them to give each other a gift (usually jewelry, like a wedding ring) of their everlasting love and commitment. 

After that, the Officiant announce them as husband and wife in front the witnesses by saying:

"With the permission of Allah (swt), the creater and sustainer of all the Worlds, I announce both of you as Husband and Wife. May Allah bless you both and keep you both together forever. (Ameen)". 

Then he recite the Surah Fatihah to end the Ceremony.

After the Nikah the groom and brides sign the Marriage Contract, followed by the signature of officiant and the two witnesses. 

Then the newly wed couple are congratulated by friends and family members. The Nikah is usually followed by the traditional (optional) Walima or grand dinner.   

The first ten days of Zul Hijjah: Why they matter

by Samana Siddiqui

Even for those not performing the pilgrimage, Hajj, the first ten days of this month are considered very sacred and a time for increased reflection, seeking Allah's forgiveness, doing good and various other forms of worship.

Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) has said about the first ten days of Zul Hijjah: There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing (Bukhari).

So sacred are the first ten days of Zul Hijjah that Allah swears an oath by them when He says in the Quran: "By the dawn; by the ten nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Swearing an oath by something indicates its importance and great benefit.

What kinds of worship should be performed?

While any good deed done for the sake of Allah according to the way He approves will be rewarded immensely during the first ten days, Insha Allah, some of the more specific actions mentioned in the Traditions of the Prophet are fasting and verbal Zikr (remembrance) of Allah.

In terms of fasting, it is particularly encouraged to fast on the ninth day of Zul-Hijjah, known in Arabic as Yawm Arafa. The Prophet used to fast on this day (al Nisai and Abu Dawud). Fasting on this day will expiate a Muslim's sins for two years.

The verbal remembrance of Allah is another meritorious act during these first ten days of Zul Hijjah. The Prophet upon him) encouraged Muslims to recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.

The Takbeer may include the words "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly.

Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions, used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer individually when they heard them.

Generally, all good deeds are rewarded highly at this blessed time. These actions include praying, reading Quran, making Dua (supplication), giving in charity and being good to our families.

In addition, seeking Allah's forgiveness at this time is also encouraged. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.

http://www.soundvision.com/article/the-first-ten-days-of-zul-hijjah-why-they-matter

The Five Pillars Of Islam

Islam has five primary obligations, or pillars of faith, that each Muslim must fulfill in his or her lifetime. They are as follows:

1.. ‎Shahadah‬, profession of faith, is the first pillar of Islam. Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting the creed "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam.

2. ‎Salah‬, prayer, is the second pillar. The Islamic faith is based on the belief that individuals have a direct relationship with God. The world's Muslims turn individually and collectively to Makkah, Islam's holiest city, to offer five daily prayers at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. In addition, Friday congregational service is also required. Although salah can he performed alone, it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a mosque.

‪3. ‎Zakat‬, almsgiving, is the third pillar. Social responsibility is considered part of one's service to God; the obligatory act of zakat enshrines this duty. Zakat prescribes payment of fixed proportions of a Muslim's possessions for the welfare of the entire community and in particular for its neediest members. It is equal to 2.5 percent of an individual's total net worth, excluding obligations and family expenses.

4. ‎Sawm‬, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, is the fourth pillar of Islam. Ordained in the Holy Qur'an, the fast is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God. Fasting is also an exercise in self-control whereby one's sensitivity is heightened to the sufferings of the poor. Ramadan, the month during which the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, begins with the sighting of the new moon, after which abstention from eating, drinking and other sensual pleasures is obligatory from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is also a joyful month. Muslims break their fast at sunset with a special meal, iftar, perform additional nocturnal worship, tarawih, after evening prayer; and throng the streets in moods that are festive and communal. The end of Ramadan is observed by three days of celebration called Eid Al-Fitr, the feast of the breaking of the fast. Customarily, it is a time for family reunion and the favored holiday for children who receive new clothing and gifts.

5. ‎Hajj‬, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth pillar and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. For those Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah, the Hajj is a once in a lifetime duty that is the peak of their religious life. The Hajj is a remarkable spiritual gathering of over two million Muslims from all over the world to the holy city. In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad performed during his last pilgrimage.

The five pillars of Islam define the basic identity of Muslims - their faith, beliefs and practices - and bind together a worldwide community of believers into a fellowship of shared values and concerns.

Zakat and Sadaqah

1. Zakāt,("that which purifies"),is a form of obligatory alms-giving and religious tax in Islam. It is based on income and the value of all of one's possessions. It is customarily 2.5% of a Muslim's total income, savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as nisab. The collected amount is paid first to zakat collectors, and then to poor Muslims, to new converts to Islam, to Islamic clergy, to those fighting for Islamic causes, and others.Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, mandatory for all Muslims. Zakat is not a voluntary charitable contribution.

The zakat is considered by Muslims to be an act of piety through which one expresses concern for the well-being of fellow Muslims, as well as preserving social harmony between the wealthy and the poor. Zakat promotes a more equitable redistribution of wealth and fosters a sense of solidarity amongst members of the Ummah.

According to the Quran's Surah Al-Tawba, there are eight categories of people (asnaf) who qualify to benefit from zakat funds.

“Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.”— Qur'an, Sura 9 (Al-Tawba), ayat 60.

Scholars have interpreted this verse as identifying the following eight categories of Muslim causes to be the proper recipients of zakat:

1.Those living without means of livelihood (Al-Fuqarā').
2. Those who cannot meet their basic needs (Al-Masākīn).
3. To zakat collectors (Al-Āmilīyn 'Alihā)
4. To persuade those sympathetic to or expected to convert to Islam (Al-Mu'allafatu Qulūbuhum), recent converts to Islam and potential allies in the cause of Islam.
5. To free from slavery or servitude (Fir-Riqāb), slaves of Muslims who have or intend to free from their master by means of a kitabah contract.

6. Those who have incurred overwhelming debts while attempting to satisfy their basic needs (Al-Ghārimīn),debtors who in pursuit of a worthy goal incurred a debt.

7. Those fighting for a religious cause or a cause of God (FīSabīlillāh) or for Jihad in the way of Allah and for Islamic warriors who fight against the unbelievers but are not part of salaried soldiers.

8. Wayfarers, stranded travellers (Ibnu Al-Sabīl), travellers who are traveling on an Islamic goal but cannot reach their destination without financial assistance.

Zakat should not be given to one's own parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, spouses or the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.

Zakat al-Fitr:

Zakat al-Fitr is a mandatory one time alms-giving per person, with any means to pay, that is traditionally paid at the end of the fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The collected amount is used to pay the zakat collectors and to the poor Muslims so that they can be provided with a means with which they can celebrate `Eid al-Fitr (the festival of breaking the fast) along with the rest of the Muslims.

Zakat al Fitr is based on person and is a fixed amount collected, while Zakat al mal is based on the total income and property.

2. Sadaqah or Saddka: ("voluntary charity") is the act of giving out of compassion, love and friendship with the intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah.

Quran on Sadaqah:

"The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing". Al- Qur'an: Surat Al-Baqarah (2:262)

Seest thou one who denies the Judgment (to come)?
Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan (with harshness),

And encourages not the feeding of the indigent.
So woe to the worshippers
Who are neglectful of their prayers,
Those who (want but) to be seen (of men),
But refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs.
-- Quran, sura 107 (Al-Ma'un), ayat 1-7.

"and spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good".

"But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and Allah is well acquainted with (all) that ye do.— Quran, sura 63 (Al-Munafiqun), ayat 10-11.

Saddka should be given solely out of love for God, out of the desire to do good to His creation, as the Quran says about the righteous:

And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive,-(Saying),"We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.— Quran, sura 76 (Al-Insan), ayat 8-9.

Giving Saddka will not diminish a Muslim's wealth. It serves as expiation for sins and yields rewards in the next life. It is stated in the Quran:

For those who give in Charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward.— .Qur'an, Sura 57 (Al-Hadid), ayah 18.

Hadith on Sadaqah:

In the hadith collected by Abu `Isa Muhammad ibn `Isa at-Tirmidhi in his Jami` at-Tirmidhi

"Saddka extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire." (2541)
"Saddka appeases the Lord’s anger and averts an fire death." (1909)
"The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his Saddka'." (1925)

In other hadith Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:

A woman said: Apostle of Allah, my mother suddenly died; if it had not happened, she would have given sadaqah (charity) and donated (something). Will it suffice if I give sadaqah on her behalf? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Yes, give sadaqah on her behalf.— Abu Dawood, Sunan Abu Dawood.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "There is a (compulsory) Sadaqa (charity) to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah) every day the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqa, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as Sadaqa, and (saying) a good word is also Sadaqa, and every step taken on one's way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqa and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqa."— Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari Hammam b. Munabbih reported that-this is out of (those ahadith) which Abu Huraira narrated to us from Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). And he while making a mention of ahadith reported from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said this: Sadaqa is due on every joint of a person, every day the sun rises. 

Administering of justice between two men is also a Sadaqa. And assisting a man to ride upon his beast, or helping him load his luggage upon it, is a Sadaqa; and a good word is a Sadaqa; and every step that you take towards prayer is a Sadaqa, and removing of harmful things from the pathway is a Sadaqa.— Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Nishapuri, Sahih Muslim.

'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Every one of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints; so he who declares the Glory of Allah, praises Allah, declares Allah to be One, Glorifies Allah, and seeks forgiveness from Allah, and removes stone, or thorn, or bone from people's path, and enjoins what is good and forbids from evil, to the number of those three hundred and sixty-four, will walk that day having removed himself from Hell.— Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Nishapuri, Sahih Muslim.

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Is Kosher meat halal?

Meat slaughtered by one of the people of the Book (a Jew or a Christian) is permissible subject to two conditions:

1 – That the meat be slaughtered as a Muslim does it, but cutting the throat and oesophagus and letting the blood flow. If the animal is killed by strangling or electric shock or drowning in water, its meat is not permissible. Similarly, if a Muslim does that, the meat is not permissible. 

2 – No name other than that of Allaah should be mentioned over it, such as the name of the Messiah etc, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Eat not (O believers) of that (meat) on which Allaah’s Name has not been pronounced (at the time of the slaughtering of the animal)”. [al-An’aam 6:121]

And He says concerning haraam things (interpretation of the meaning): 

“He has forbidden you only the Maytah (dead animals), and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allaah (or has been slaughtered for idols, on which Allaah’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering)”. [al-Baqarah 2:173] 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

What is meant here is that over which a name other than that of Allaah is mentioned at the time of slaughter, such as saying “in the name of the Messiah” or “in the name of Muhammad” or “in the name of Jibreel” or “in the name of al-Laat” and so on. End quote from Tafseer Soorat al-Baqarah. 

The prohibition also applies to that which is offered as a sacrifice to the Messiah or to al-Zahrah, even if they did not mention a name other than that of Allaah over it. It is also haraam. 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: As for that which is slaughtered by the people of the Book for their festivals and as an act of worship to draw closer to someone other than Allaah, as the Muslims offer their sacrifices to draw closer to Allaah thereby, such as what they slaughter for the Messiah and al-Zahrah, there are two reports narrated from Ahmad concerning that, the most well known of which in his texts is that it is not permissible to eat it, even if the name of someone other than Allaah has not been mentioned over it. The prohibition on doing that was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar. End quote from Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/251). 

3rdly: If a Muslim or a kitaabi (Jew or Christian) slaughters an animal for meat, and it is not known whether he mentioned the name of Allaah over it or not, it is permissible to eat from it, and the one who eats it should say the name of Allaah, because of the report that was narrated by al-Bukhaari (2057) from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), that some people said: O Messenger of Allaah, some people bring meat to us, and we do not know whether they mentioned the name of Allaah over it or not. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Mention the name of Allaah over it and eat.” 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: It is not essential to ask about that which was slaughtered by a Muslim or a kitaabi, and how it was slaughtered, and whether the name of Allaah was mentioned over it or not. Rather that should not be done, because that is being obstinate in religious matters. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ate meat slaughtered by the Jews and did not ask questions. In Saheeh al-Bukhaari and elsewhere it is narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that some people said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): Some people bring meat to us, and we do not know whether they mentioned the name of Allaah over it or not. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Mention the name of Allaah over it and eat.” She said: They were new in Islam, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told them to eat without asking, even though those who brought the meat to them may not have been aware of the rulings of Islam because they were new in Islam. End quote from Risaalah fi Ahkaam al-Udhiyah wa’l-Dhakaah by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him). 

4thly: Based on the above, whoever travels to a non-Muslim country where most of those who slaughter meat are Christians or Jews, it is permissible for him to eat their meat, unless he knows that they stun the animals or mention over them the name of someone other than Allaah, as stated above. 

But if the slaughterman is an idol-worshipper or communist, it is not permissible to eat meat slaughtered by him. 

If the meat is haraam, it is not permissible to eat from it on the grounds of necessity, so long as a person can find food to keep him alive, such as fish, vegetables and so on. 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Barraak (may Allaah preserve him) said: “The meats available in kaafir countries are of various types. As for fish, it is halaal in all cases, because its being halaal does not depend on the way in which it is slaughtered or on the name of Allaah being mentioned over it. 

With regard to other types of meat, if the companies or individuals who produce meat are people of the Book, Jews or Christians, and it is not known from them that they kill the animal by electric shock, strangling or striking it on the head, as is well known in the west, then this meat is halaal. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Made lawful to you this day are At‑Tayyibaat [all kinds of Halaal (lawful) foods, which Allaah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits)]. The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them”. [al-Maa’idah 5:5] 

But if they kill the animal by one of the methods mentioned, then the meat is haraam, because in that case it is meat that has been strangled or killed by a blow. If those who produce the meat are not Jews or Christians, then the meat that they offer is haraam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Eat not (O believers) of that (meat) on which Allaah’s Name has not been pronounced (at the time of the slaughtering of the animal), for sure it is Fisq (a sin and disobedience of Allaah)”.[al-An’aam 6:121] 

The Muslim should strive to avoid that which is clearly haraam and be cautious of doubtful matters so as to preserve his religious commitment and to keep his body safe from being nourished with haraam things. End quote. 

And Allaah knows best.

SOURCE:  http://islamqa.info/en/88206

Animals slaughtered by Christians & Jews.

Question: I live in the USA. May I buy the meat that is sold in the supermarkets?

Answered by Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî, former professor at al-Imâm University in Riyadh.

Animals slaughtered by Christians and Jews are lawful for Muslims to eat. This is not contingent on their firmness on their religion, because the the Jews and Christians who lived in the time of our Prophet’s (peace be upon him) had already altered their teachings and deviated from their religion. In spite of this, Allah says: “The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them” [Sûrah al-Mâ’idah: 5] 

Therefore, the meat they sell in their supermarkets and restaurants is lawful, provided they slaughter their meat properly, and do not use alternative methods like electrocution or suffocation to kill the animal. 

And Allah knows best.

http://en.islamtoday.net/node/1093

Q. But how you know they have slaughtered it and not electrocuted it??

Related Links:

• Is meat in USA halaal, which meat is halaal- Sh. Dr. Muhammad Salah
• Are Kosher Foods forbidden (HARAM) in Islam Dr Zakir Naik