Can I Eat Haram Meat When I Am in a Non-Muslim Country?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Salam,

When a Muslim lives in a non-Muslim country and does not find any halal food nearby, can he eat non-halal food like chicken, beef or sheep? And if lard may have been used as cooking oil for seafood or fish what I should do?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

No, it is not permitted to eat unlawful food.

As such, you should seek out some Muslims (or organizations) who can assist you in finding reliable sources of food.

In the meantime, you should ask for clarity from the restaurant before proceeding to eat therein.

Pray the Prayer of Need (salat al-hajah). [see: How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)?]

See also: Should I Eat at Restaurants With Food Cross-Contamination Problems?

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani