To buy meat from a Shia-owned company

Shortened Question:

Is it permissible to work and buy things from a Shia-owned company?

Question:

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

What is the ruling of the Shariah regarding the following:

Here in Melbourne, Australia, it is difficult to buy hand slaughtered (Halal) chickens. One company that supplies hand slaughtered chickens has recently been bought by a Shia person. Although the workers who slaughter the chickens in that company are Muslims but the owner is a Shia. The questions are|:

• Is it permissible to buy things from a Shia?
• Is it permissible to buy chicken from a company that is owned by a Shia although the chickens are slaughtered by Muslim workers?
• Is it permissible to buy chicken from a Muslim who bought them from the Shia-owned company?
• Is it permissible to work in a Shia-owned company?

In Ahsan al-Fattawa (8/250) it says that a transaction done with a Shia is invalid and void according to the view of Abu Hanifah (RA) and impermissible though valid according the view of the Sahibain (RA)

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In the required case, there are two points of consideration:

• The abattoirs belongs to a Shia
• The chickens are slaughtered by Muslims of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama`ah.

In principle, if the chickens are slaughtered by Muslims of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama`ah and according to the prescribed rules of Halal Zabihah, the chickens will be Halal even though the abattoir is owned by a non-Muslim.

Furthermore, in issues of Halal and Haram a non-Muslim`s word is not valid. From an administration point of view, a system will be put in place to supervise and monitor the Halal slaughtering process. Here in South Africa, the Halal regulating bodies fulfil such a role. A Muslim Halal supervisor is appointed by the Halal regulating body to be at the abattoir at all times and report to the Halal regulating body. The public relies on the information of the Halal supervising body and consume such chickens. If such a situation can be implemented in Melbourne, then the chickens will be considered Halal and fit for consumption for Muslims.

It should be noted that present days Shias are from the Ja`fari sect and their beliefs are inconsistent with the beliefs of the Ahl as-Sunnah Wa al-Jama`ah[1].

If the belief of the Shia is unknown, then as a matter of precaution[2], it is best to adopt a cautious view and do everything possible to ensure the chickens are certified Halal by an independent Muslim body[3].

In the early days of migration to England, the Muslims did not have access to any Halal meat. Mufti Muhammad Shafi` Uthmani Saheb was requested many times by the residents of England to issue a Fatwa on the permissibility of consuming meat slaughtered by the Ahle Kitab particularly when there is a need. He responded, “… [It could possibly be Halal but] If we were to issue a Fatwa of permissibility today, there will never be any Halal meat available in that country for the Muslims thereof … [We must take a strict stance on the Fatwa today and oblige the Muslims to abstain from such meat and arrange for Halal meat because] As long as Muslims themselves do not arrange Halal meat for themselves, it will not be permissible for them to consume any meat”.

Had it not been for the thoughtful and wise Fatwa issued by Muhammad Shafi` Saheb, the Muslims of England may would have relied on meat slaughtered by non-Muslims and would not have established their own slaughtering house where the meat is slaughtered by Muslims. The Muslims of that time undertook the mammoth challenge to establish their own slaughtering houses and paved the way for Halal meat in England for generations to come.

Therefore, the ideal situation is for the Muslim community of Melbourne, Australia, to be prudent and foresighted and exert all efforts to establish their own abattoir and organisation supplying Halal meat and chickens. The seeds sown by the Muslims of today will reap the fruits of Halal food for future Muslim generations. You will be rewarded not only for your sacrifices in trying to obtain and eat Halal but also the reward of ensuring the Halal provision for future Muslims of Melbourne.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

من سن سنة حسنة كان له أجرها ومثل أجر من عمل بها من غير أن ينتقص من أجورهم شيئ

Translation: Whosoever introduces a good practice, there is for him its reward and the reward of those who act upon it after him without anything being diminished from their rewards[4].

He (peace be upon him) also said:

من تمسّك بسنّتي عند فساد أمتي فله أجر مائة شهيد

Translation: Whoever holds form to my Sunnah at the time of tribulations, he will be rewarded the reward of hundred martyrs[5].

The above-mentioned Ahadith exhort the believers to struggle in the path of goodness to establish the rulings of Allah. Verily trying to ensure and establish abattoirs where the meat is slaughtered according to the Islamic principles is fulfilling a commandment of Allah, upholding the religion of Allah and may come with challenges. Allah says:

يا أيها الذين آمنوا كلوا من طيبات ما رزقناكم واشكروا لله إن كنتم إياه تعبدون

Translation: Oh you who believe, Eat of the good things which We have provided for your sustenance and be grateful to Allah if you truly only worship Him[6].

Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

طلب كسب الحلال فريضة بعد الفريضة

Translation: Seeking what is Halal is an obligation after the obligations[7]

Eating Halal is incumbent upon all Muslims and to endure efforts to facilitate it is a great form of worship and a means of Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous Sadaqah). We hope and pray Allah assists you in your efforts to arrange provisions for Halal meat and in upholding the commandment of Allah. Ameen

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Hanif Yusuf Patel

Student Darul Iftaa
UK

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

Posted in Buyoo' (Money-related issues)Halaal & Haraam on 19th Jan 2016 by Our Imam | 3082 Views