Aburumaisa'u Assalafy

Food of the Ahl al-Kitab (People of Earlier Revelations)

Some Muslims refuse to eat food prepared by people of other faiths, regarding it as not “halal”. Some of these Muslims accept such food, out of courtesy, but dispose of it, rather than eat it. This is due to their belief that Islamic teachings prohibit eating food, including meat from animals slaughtered by people of other faiths.

Does Islam prohibit Muslims from eating the food and meat of others, including the “People of the Book” such as Jews and Christians?

Regarding eating the food of Ahl al-Kitab generally, Muslims have not been prohibited from eating non-meat foods that are prepared by people of other faiths (including polytheists, atheists, etc.) such as fruits, vegetables, and other plant products.1 Islam has also not prohibited the consumption of fish, milk, eggs and other similar dairy products that might have been prepared by such people of other faiths.2

Anas ibn Malik narrated that: “Allah’s Messenger (p) had a neighbour who was Persian [a Zoroastrian], and he was an expert in the preparation of soup. He prepared (soup) for Allah’s Messenger (p) and then came to him to invite him (to a meal)… Then he accepted his invitation, and both of them (the Prophet (p) and Aisha) set out and went to his house.”3

Regarding eating the meat slaughtered by Ahl al-Kitab, Allah says, "This day (all) the good things are allowed to you, and the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them…" (Qur’an 5:5)

Scholars have agreed that the word 'food' in this verse refers to slaughtered animals. In his commentary of the verse - "And the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you" – Ibn Kathir says, “Ibn Abbas, Abu Umamah, Mujahid, Sa’id bin Jubayr, Ikrimah, A'ta, AI-Hasan, Makhul, Ibrahim An-Nakhai', Al-Suddy, and Muqatil Ibn Hayyan all say that this verse refers to slaughtered animals”.
~Da'wa institute of Nigeria.