Can you put some light on the machine cut meat/chicken? Is it permissible to consume such meat? This is being practiced all over the world. I find it very difficult and embarrassing when I ask someone if it is machine cut or hand slaughtered meat? Especially in restaurants which say Halal and masjids where they bring food from such restaurants. I even discussed this with my local imam who said he is totally fine with machine cut meat and it is something personal. Is my prayer valid if I pray behind someone who consumes machine cut meat?
Second Question
I am plannig to perform Hajj in 2016 insha Allah. I heard that all the meat/chicken is imported from foreign countries and is machine cut. I have to go there through some travel agency which provides food of the same kind. What is the stance and suggestion regarding the machine cut meat?
I live in USA and it is a problem here too. But Allhamdulillah I do have few options where I can get hand slaughtered zabihah meat. How can I deal this issue when I go for Hajj as the food is provided by the travel agencies or the hotels which they have tie up with? Please advice.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The issue of machine slaughter has been discussed in detail by Mufti Taqi Usmani Saheb (Madda Zilluhu) in his detailed treatise: https://ebrahimsaifuddin.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/mufti-taqi-uthmani-legal-rulings-on-slaughtered-animals.pdf
You may also refer to a research carried out by Muhtaram Mufti Faraz ibn Adam Al-Mahmudi:
http://darulfiqh.com/a-research-on-mechanical-slaughter/
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Maaz Chati
Student Darul Iftaa
Blackburn, England, UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.