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For the first ten years of my life I was under the impression that all Muslims were the same. In my naïve mind, we all believed the same things, prayed the same way, lived by the same rulings and of course, we ate the same meat. Though I was aware of varying degrees of orthodoxy, I was flabbergasted when I saw Muslim boys and girls eating chicken from McDonald’s for the first time. As most of you will know, this is a topic that’s been disputed over one too many hamburgers. Well, I don’t want to beat a dead horse. So I won’t! What I will do, however, is recommend that everyone, eating “halal-halal” or otherwise, check out this lecture.

Not too long ago, I was blessed with a reference to www.sacredlearning.org  to listen to Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar’s lectures. Of his many, many topics I’ve chosen to write about his lecture entitled “Eating Pure”. Addressing the issue of what constitutes halal meat, Shaykh Sattar delivers a thorough, logical explanation that, to me, leaves no room for doubt. He begins by reminding us that all of our body parts, having submitted to Allah swt, are to attest to this fact- down to the taste bud.  Our hands, feet, mouths and tongues should all be in harmony with the Will of their Creator and so it only makes sense that we have rigorous guidelines on how to please Him. “Eating Pure” presents several well-formulated arguments backed up by analyses of authentic ahadith which pertain to the matter. I realize that above I may have lead you to believe that I have always been biased because I don’t think that meat from McDonald’s or any other uncertified place is okay for us to eat. However, this is not the case. After delving into the topic out of sheer interest, I was faced by many scholars of the opinion that the ayah in the Qur’an which discerns the difference between halal and haram meat (“Forbidden to you for food are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah...”to the end of the ayah, 5:3) is subject to debate and so the general attitude towards the matter is  one of “do as you see fit but stay away from pork”. Well, I’m not a scholar but I can tell you that even of those who do appreciate this more liberal reading of the ayah, few (if any) would eat anything but certified halal meat themselves. So even though I, too, understood where the debate originated and still refrain from judging anyone who does eat not-so halal meat, I wouldn’t do it myself. Which brings me to my next point; Shaykh Husain takes a very one-sided approach which to me is the only effective kind. Sure, different perspectives and suggestions are pathways to true understanding but if we reside on those variable courses forever, our destination becomes only an estimation of the truth. With regards to meat this is a very broad estimation and “Eating Pure” is a clear, concise proof of why that’s simply not enough.

I’d like to conclude by praying that anyone who is confused about this subject be given an open mind to receive the message of this lecture, and that Allah swt bless us all with the ability and strength to implement His deen, ameen. Also, always bear in mind this ayah at times of confusion: “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things” (2:256).

WAllahu Alim.

http://www.sacredlearning.org/general-talks/category  (Be sure to check out other lectures too!)

   
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Comments

Ishraq link
06/03/2010 10:58pm

Also by eating and more importantly buying halal meat you are creating a market niche for zabiha certified meat.

So if say McDonalds doesn't provide halal meat, they will lose your business. Thus putting pressure on them to perhaps go zabiha certified.

Reply
Sara
06/12/2010 7:57pm

Yessss.. Let's start a boycott people!

Reply
Tahir S. Kafil
06/30/2010 6:41pm

"Which brings me to my next point; Shaykh Husain takes a very one-sided approach which to me is the only effective kind. Sure, different perspectives and suggestions are pathways to true understanding but if we reside on those variable courses forever, our destination becomes only an estimation of the truth."

Wow, that's very deep.

Reply



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