How Should I Handle a Child Refusing to Eat Meat? – Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti

Question

How do we deal with a child who does not want to eat meat out of compassion for animals?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the Master of the Messengers, his Family, and all his Companions.

We must exercise wisdom in dealing with this child and should not force them to eat meat, as this could lead to a psychological issue that is difficult to address later on. The following steps should be followed: engage in a dialogue and try to understand what the child means by compassion for animals.

Then, explain the true meaning of compassion and its proper place. Secondly, clarify that it is Allah (Most High) who created these animals and made them subservient to us, allowing us to eat and benefit from them.

After that, compare some animal-based foods that the child eats and accepts with eating meat, explaining that there is no difference between them. And Allah knows best.

Details and Explanation

We must use wisdom in this matter through the following steps:

Avoiding Any Form of Coercion

Forcing the child to eat meat could create a psychological issue that is often difficult to resolve.

Engaging in Dialogue with the Child

Try to understand what the child means by compassion. Explain the true meaning of compassion and where it should be applied. We are required to be compassionate and kind to animals, but not all animals and not in all situations. Every animal was created for a purpose. Allah (Most High) says:

“And He created the cattle for you as a source of warmth, food, and (many other) benefits. They are also pleasing to you when you bring them home and when you take them out to graze. And they carry your loads to (distant) lands which you could not otherwise reach without great hardship. Surely your Lord is Ever Gracious, Most Merciful. (He also created) horses, mules, and donkeys for your transportation and adornment. And He creates what you do not know.” [Quran, 16:5-8]

Clarifying That Allah (Most High) Has Allowed Us to Consume These Animals

Explain to the child in simple terms that Allah (Most High) permitted us to eat these animals. He created them and made them subservient to humans. Allah (Most High) says:

“O believers! Honour your obligations. All grazing livestock has been made lawful to you—except what is hereby announced to you.” [Quran, 5:1]

Comparing Animal Products

Ask the child if they drink milk or eat eggs, honey, and other animal products. Compare these products to meat and explain that they are also derived from animals.

Highlight that these products are for the young of these animals, so how is it permissible for us to consume them?

Practical Approach

As a parent, avoid trying to force the child to eat meat. Instead, follow the steps mentioned above, be patient, and take a gradual approach. Try to prepare meat in various appealing ways to encourage the child to like it. And Allah knows best.

Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti

Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yaqti is a Syrian scholar born in Aleppo in 1977. He obtained his degree in Shari‘a from the Shari‘a Faculty of Damascus University, a Diploma in Educational Qualification from the Faculty of Education at Aleppo University, and a Diploma in Shari‘a and a Master’s in Shari‘a from the Faculty of Sharia, and Law at Omdurman University in Sudan. He is currently writing his doctoral thesis.

He studied under esteemed scholars such as Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Mustafa al-Turkmani, and Shaykh Dr. Nur al-Din Itr, among others. Shaykh al-Yakti has worked in teaching and cultural guidance in orphanages and high schools in Aleppo. He served as an Imam, Khatib, and reciter at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and as a certified trainer for Khatibs in Abu Dhabi’s Khatib Qualification Program.

He is involved in developing and teaching a youth education program at Seekers Arabic for Islamic Sciences.

Among Shaykh al-Yaqti’s significant works are “Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni: Bayna Ilm al-Kalam Wa Usul al-Fiqh” and the program “The Messenger of Allah Among Us (Allah bless him and give him peace).”