Question:

I had an ambiguity regarding the use of chicken in usa. I have not heard from any imam from iant IMAM or from other masajid directly,but people who are residing in here since long they perceive that chicken sold on any store or market originates from the same slaughter house and hence it has been called halal by the imam of IANT. MY QUESTION IS; IS THE REGULAR CHICKEN THAT IS BEING SOLD ON AMERICAN MARKETS LIKE WALMART, KROGER IS HALAL for us? or should we consider buying it from halal STORES when we already know that it is all about packaging and calling it halal when are aware that all sorts of chicken originates from same slaughter house ?….
i hope i made my question pretty clear…
JAZAKALLAH KHAIR

Answer:

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

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

Allah Ta’ala is pure and accepts only that which is pure.

It is the command of Allah Ta’ala that a Muslim must consume only that which is Halal. Consider the following verse:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ سورة البقرة, رقم الآية 172

O you who believe, eat of the pure things from that which we have provided you. (al-Baqarah, Ayah 172)

The consumption of Haram meat is a grave sin. The consequences are severe. Just like a car is unable to function with incorrect fuel, the human body that consumes Haram food is not able to properly function spiritually in fulfilling the Commands of Allah.

Furthermore, one whose consumption is from Haram, Allah Ta’ala does not accept such a person’s Duas (supplications). Consider the following Hadith:

ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أَشْعَثَ أَغْبَرَ، يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ، يَا رَبِّ، يَا رَبِّ، وَمَطْعَمُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَمَشْرَبُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَمَلْبَسُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَغُذِيَ بِالْحَرَامِ، فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لِذَلِكَ؟ (صحيح مسلم، بَابُ قَبُولِ الصَّدَقَةِ مِنَ الْكَسْبِ الطَّيِّبِ وَتَرْبِيَتِهَا

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam made mention of a man who is undergoing a strenuous travel due to which his hair is disheveled and he is dusty. He extends his hands towards the sky and supplicates thus, “O My Rabb, O My Rabb.” However, his food is Haram, his drink is Haram, his clothing is Haram, and he is being nourished through Haram, so how will his call be answered (Even though he looks deserving due to his appearance)? (Sahih Muslim)

The Ulama (scholars) have stated certain conditions that must be fulfilled in order for meat to be considered Halal.[1] Even if one of these conditions is not fulfilled, the meat will be rendered impermissible for consumption. The conditions are mentioned hereunder:

1. The method of slaughter must be according to Shariah.

2. The name of Allah must be recited upon the animal when slaughtering

3. The person slaughtering must be fit to slaughter according to Shariah Law.

Generally, the meat sold in supermarkets does not fulfill these three requirements for a Halal slaughter. Hence, such meat is not Halal.

See the following link for certified Halal meat in the DFW area:

http://www.halalnpure.com/certified-list.html

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

(Mufti) Abdul Azeem bin Abdur Rahman

Disclaimer:

The Shar’a ruling herein given is based specifically on the question posed and should be read in conjunction with the question.

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This answer may not be used as evidence in any Court of Law without prior written consent of Darul Iftaa Texas.

[1] The Islamic Laws of Animal Slaughter (Mufti Taqi Uthmani), page 26, White Thread Press