At the outset, it must be noted that the Shariah has emphasized exercising
precaution consuming halaal and abstaining from haraam. Therefore, the
Noble Quran advises to eat that which is Tayyib (halaal beyond doubt).
Furthermore, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) advised us to abstain
from places where one can be accused of engaging in haraam.
Basically there are two points to consider before eating at any place.
a) The food outlet must be owned (not managed) by a good and upright Muslim.
When in doubt, abstain – that is best for your taqwa.
b) The fact that a non-Muslim owned outlet selling only fish, for example,
also cannot be “trusted” simply because the law of halaal applies beyond the
frontage of the outlet. The area of concern is the kitchen. In one case, a
strictly fish outlet – served nothing but only fish – looked absolutely fine
until a Muslim employee expressed concern that the owner and family
regularly prepare their meals at the same kitchen serving pork, beacon, etc.
prepared in the same fryer, utensil, etc.
Therefore it is a misconception by some that we may eat if “alcohol is not
served” or “not served to us”.
Was salaam
Ahmad Kathrada
ADMINISTRATOR