Question:
The Arab community in Chicago says that no matter who slaughtered the chicken or goat, if we say “Bismillah” before eating, it becomes halal. They have cited a hadith as evidence. The hadith they mention is narrated from Aisha (Mother of Believers). She says that some people brought meat to them, and they did not know whether Allah’s name had been mentioned over it at the time of slaughter. They asked the Messengerﷺof Allahﷻ about it. The Prophetﷺ said: “Say the name of Allahﷻ over it and eat.” This hadith is found in Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 2057.
Is the hadith they quote really proof for this?
Answer:
Using the above hadith, the Arab community in Chicago says that whatever meat is given, they will not ask who slaughtered it. We only need to say “Bismillah” and eat. Whether he slaughtered it properly or killed it in some other way, whether he slaughtered it in the name of some deity, all of it becomes halal for us as long as we say “Bismillah” before eating. Even if the meat was offered to another deity, they say it is still halal if we say “Bismillah” before eating. According to their view, since the hadith says, “say Bismillah over the meat,” that is sufficient proof. They cite Bukhari 2057 as their evidence.
But the explanation for this is found in the same Sahih al-Bukhari, in Hadith no. 5507. It mentions the same incident, with additional wording. That additional wording clarifies the meaning. You are quoting 2057; now I am quoting 5507.
In that narration, it explains that the people bringing the meat were newly converted Muslims. Aisha (Mother of Believers) says that they had recently accepted Islam. Since they were new Muslims, they might not yet fully understand Islamic laws. So, when they brought meat, the companions were unsure whether they had mentioned Allah’s name at the time of slaughter.
If the meat had been brought by long-established Muslims, there would be no doubt—they would have certainly said “Bismillah.” But these were newly converted Muslims, and perhaps they did not yet know the ruling properly. So, the question was about Muslims—specifically new Muslims—who might not have known the requirement.
So, what is the ruling? Since they are Muslims—even if newly converted—we assume good about them. Even if there is doubt whether they mentioned Allah’s name, you may say “Bismillah” and eat. The key point is that they were believers. If a believer, even a new Muslim, slaughtered without knowing the rule, you may still say “Bismillah” and eat.
This does not mean that if anyone—whether a disbeliever or anyone else—gives meat, you can simply say “Bismillah” and eat. It does not mean that even if it was slaughtered in the name of other than Allah, you can make it halal by saying “Bismillah.” That meaning is not in the hadith at all.
Look how clearly the question was asked: They said these were people who had newly embraced Islam, and they were unsure whether Allah’s name had been mentioned. Only then did the Prophetﷺ say to say “Bismillah” and eat.
But this Arab community is playing with the hadith—taking only part of it and interpreting it according to their own desires. If you investigate further, you will see that the exception applies specifically to new Muslims.
For example, if someone named Ramasamy from our neighborhood accepts Islam today and brings meat, what should you do? He is now Muslim, so you may eat it. But since he is newly converted, perhaps he forgot to say “Bismillah.” If you have that doubt, you may say “Bismillah” yourself and eat.
So, if newly converted Muslims bring meat, we assume they have done it correctly, and we ourselves say “Bismillah” and eat. That is what Hadith 5507 clarifies.
At the same time, there is a clear command in Surah 6, verse 121: “Do not eat from that over which Allah’s name has not been mentioned.” Allahﷻ commands that His name must be mentioned at the time of slaughter; otherwise, do not eat it.
So, how can one eat meat knowingly slaughtered without Allah ﷻ’s name? The only exception discussed is regarding newly converted Muslims when there is doubt. In such a case, you assume they are Muslims and may have done it correctly. Even if unsure, you may say “Bismillah” and eat.
There are also special rulings, like in hunting: If a trained hunting dog catches prey alive, you slaughter it and eat. If it brings it dead, you may eat it without slaughtering again. That is a specific exception. But the general rule remains: Allah’s name must be mentioned at slaughter. The exception is limited; the general law continues to apply.