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The question

Is it permissible to buy meat from the supermarket without knowing the religion of the slaughterer and the method of slaughter? And how do we deal with utensils and knives used to cut pork? And is it necessary to scrutinize the ingredients of cheese, dairy, and cosmetic products for fear of them containing pork derivatives or alcohol? And is America considered a country of the People of the Book despite the differences in religions?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Regarding the jurisprudential ruling on meats found in European and American markets, it was mentioned that the default ruling for the meat of the People of the Book is permissibility. However, there is a percentage of meat that may not be slaughtered according to Islamic law, especially beef and lamb. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid products from factories known for not performing a proper Islamic slaughter. It was noted that it is permissible to eat the slaughtered animals of devout Christians (such as the Amish community) and Jews (those bearing a distinctive mark). If these alternatives are not available, it is permissible to eat the displayed meats unless it is widely known that they were not slaughtered according to Islamic law.

Concerning the handling of utensils and knives that may have come into contact with pork, the seller should be asked to use a clean tool, or they should be purified by washing, or by wiping them clean if washing is not possible, which is sufficient for purification.

As for cheese, dairy products, and juices, one should read their ingredients and avoid anything labeled "animal rennet" or "animal fats" without further specification, due to the possibility of them being derived from pork. Trusted Jewish foods are an exception to this.

Regarding soaps and cosmetics, it was noted that the matter is easier because they are not consumed, and the potential percentage of forbidden ingredients is small and chemically processed. However, it is better to be cautious and avoid products with a high percentage of pork fat or alcohol. It was concluded that America is considered one of the lands of the People of the Book.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy