Question:

Dear Sir,
First take my Salam. Hope you are well by the grace of Allah. I have a question that I wanted to ask you about food stores food like McDonalds or Subway. My question is can we eat chicken or meat item from those food stores? Are those meat are ok for us to eat?
I am asking this question to You because I asked few peoples in the mosque and in my community; they gave me different answers which make me confusing. One of there answer is, “we eat chicken or meat item from those store because here there are not enough halal stores. Also sometimes near campus or job there are only these stores. What we will do then?” Another person said, “ I don’t eat meat form those stores because those are not halal. Then I asked some of our friends eat that. They replied, “its their choice.”
What do you think about it and what is the best option to deal with it? Can we eat those foods or not?

Answer:

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

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

It is the demand of Imaan that a Mu’min (believer) must always be conscious of the permissibility of what he consumes. A Mu’min must ensure that not even a particle of Haram should enter his body.

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.

The meat (including chicken) sold in fast-food chains such as McDonalds and Subway does not fulfill these three requirements for a Halal slaughter. Hence, such meat is not Halal.

Furthermore, in fast-food chains, there is a high probability of contamination. Hence, even in regards to non-meat food items one must exercise great pre-caution.

Also, some of the non-meat food items such as the cheese, bread, etc. may be derived from ingredients that are not Halal. Hence, great pre-caution must be exercised in this regards also.

In this temporary life, man is being tested by Allah Ta’ala. The one who lives a life of obedience to the Commands of Allah and refrains from impermissibility is granted complete success in this life and the everlasting life of the Hereafter by Allah Ta’ala.

Hence, our advice is that you abstain from eating at chain restaurants and eat that which is confirmed Halal.

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.

Darul Iftaa Texas bears no responsibility to any party who may or may not act on this answer and is being hereby exempted from loss or damage howsoever caused.

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