Receiving non-Halal food as gifts from non-Muslims

21-3-2000 | IslamWeb

Question:

I'm married to a newly converted Muslim. Sometimes we received food gifts from her relatives that is not Halal for us to eat. Is it permissible for us to give such food to other non-Muslims? Or is it better for us to just throw them away? What is Islamic ruling concerning this matter? Thank you.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The acceptance of gifts from non-Muslims is permissible. Indeed, the Prophet accepted gifts from the Jews.   ‘Aa’ishah said: “The Prophet used to accept gifts and used to give something in return.” [Al-Bukhari] The incident of receiving the cooked poisoned sheep from a Jew is an example from many.

However, the acceptance of a gift depends on its permissibility for us as Muslims. For example, it is not permissible to accept a gift that is forbidden by Allah for us, such as food prepared and cooked with pork or meat of an animal that is not slaughtered according to the Islamic rites, and the like.

If you have accepted that food for any reason, it is better to give it to animals to eat rather than giving it to non-Muslims so that they would not think that you eat such kind of food.

Finally, may Allah enable you and your wife to abide by the truth and increase your zeal in seeking what is lawful.

Allah knows best.