My Family Eats Non-Halal Meat. What Should I Do?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

I was born in a Muslim household, but recently, I’ve realised that my Muslim parents only buy non-zabiha meat. Even though I have gone to them about it, they don’t care and say that they can even eat pork when there is no option. Still, I know there are options because it’s not by force to eat meat. There are even halal options ever since this; I’ve been ordering out every day and barely eating house food, but it’s getting to me, and I want to know what I can do and what steps to take because most of the food we make has non-zabiha meat.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him.

We are sorry to hear about the circumstances with your family. When eating meat, ensuring that it is halal meat is one of the fundamental laws in Islam. If you can manage to call the assistance of your local Islamic scholars, senior family, or community members to speak with your family, that would be best. 

If you can avoid eating the meat products at home and rely more on a vegetable-based diet, that would be best until you are ready to move out and be more independent. Keep praying for your family and calling them toward the Islamic way of life.

Eating Halal

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (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”. [Quran, 23:51] 

And He said: “O those who believe, eat of the good things that We gave you”. [Quran, 2:172] 

He then mentioned a person who travels widely, his hair dishevelled and covered with dust. He lifts his hand towards the sky [in supplication]: “O Lord, O Lord,” whereas his diet is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothes are unlawful, and his nourishment is unlawful. How can then his supplication be accepted? [Muslim]

I pray that this benefits and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. 

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.