07/09/2026
Types of Lawful Animals
Animals which Allah has made lawful for Muslims are of two types:
Wild animals, which live in natural conditions (that is, not kept in a house or on a farm), and which tend to run away from humans and cannot be easily caught in order to slaughter them: These can become lawful only by hunting them according to Islamic guidelines in this respect.
Domesticated animals which can be easily caught: These can become lawful only by slaughtering them according to Islamic law.
Types of Meat Served in Restaurants and Shops
Meat from animals that are slaughtered by other than a Muslim or a member of the People of the Book (a Christian or a Jew), such as a Buddhist or a Hindu, is strictly forbidden. This includes meat served in restaurants in countries where Muslims or People of the Book constitute a minority.
Meat from animals killed by a Muslim or a member of the People of the Book is lawful. Muslim scholars’ opinions on this point is unanimous.
Meat from animals killed by a Muslim or a member of the People of the Book but not according to Islamic law, such as by electric stunning or drowning, is strictly forbidden.
Meat from animals killed by a member of the People of the Book while the manner of such slaughter is not known, or meat of animals generally found in their restaurants and shops: The preponderant view is that it is permissible to eat such meat, making sure, however, to invoke Allah’s name at the time of eating (that is, saying Bismillaah), but it is better to look for halaal meat elsewhere.