Can I Eat Supermarket Meat With My Christian Family to Make Them Happy?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question: My family members are non-religious Christians. They do not buy halal meat. I live with them and eat with them. Of course, I never consume pork. While I am living here, is it permissible to eat chicken and beef that are not halal to avoid conflict? How can I begin to deal with this issue?
Answer: I empathize with your situation, it is very difficult indeed when the family does not eat the same food together.
You are correct
Always remember that you are correct in eating only halal meat. You will see at the links below about the impermissibility of eating chicken and beef from supermarkets. May Allah reward you and guide you for your strength, conviction, and determination to follow this ruling.
Talk to your parents
Tell your parents that you love them very much and that eating halal is your new way of life. Take them to a halal butcher shop with you so you can shop together, cook together and eat together. Buy some new cuts of meat to try out. Cook halal meat for them too so they can have a treat. Be kind and patient, and don’t get upset. Then have them talk to your grandmother, or approach her directly if you think that’s better. Perhaps when they get used to the idea, you can all go to a halal restaurant together!
Prayers not being accepted
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “O people, Allah is Good and He, therefore, accepts only that which is good. And Allah commanded the believers as He commanded the Messengers by saying: ‘O Messengers, eat of the good things, and do good deeds; verily I am aware of what you do‘ (xxiii. 51). And He said, “O those who believe, eat of the good things that We gave you“ (ii. 172). He then made a mention of a person who travels widely, his hair disheveled and covered with dust. He lifts his hand towards the sky (and thus makes the supplication): “O Lord, O Lord,” whereas his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, and his clothes are unlawful and he was nourished with the unlawful. How can then his supplication be accepted? [Muslim]
If My Parents Prepare Meat That is Not Halal, Should I Avoid Eating It?
The Issue of Halal Meat (A Detailed Article)
A Reader on Halal Meat
Can We Eat Machine Slaughtered Meat?
May Allah give you ease and well-being always.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
