Is the meat slaughtered by the Christians of Banu Taghlib permissible to eat?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Jizya
Primary text
The juristic opinion is divided regarding the permissibility of consuming the meat slaughtered by the Christians of Banu Taghlib. The correct view, which is the final position held by Imam Ahmad, states that their slaughtered animals are permissible. This view is supported by the general permission granted by the verse concerning the food of the People of the Book: "And the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them..." (Quran 5:5). This ruling is attributed to Ibn Abbas, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, Al-Hasan, Al-Nukha'i, Al-Sha'bi, Al-Zuhri, 'Ata' Al-Khorasani, Al-Hakam, Hammad, Ishaq, and the Ashab al-Ra'y.
Supporting text
A dissenting view holds that their meat is impermissible. This is the position of Ali ibn Abi Talib and the school of Al-Shafi'i. Those who hold this view cite that the Banu Taghlib only clung to the prohibition of wine from their religion. Additionally, it is argued that they may have entered into a modified form of unbelief after the original scripture was altered, thus invalidating the general permission.