Question Summary:
Mechanical Slaughter

Question Detail:

 
Can you put some light on the machine cut meat/chicken? Is it permissible to consume such meat? This is being practiced all over the world. I find it very difficult and embarrassing when I ask someone if it is machine cut or hand slaughtered meat? Especially in restaurants which say Halal and masjids where they bring food from such restaurants. I even discussed this with my local imam who said he is totally fine with machine cut meat and it is something personal. Is my prayer valid if I pray behind someone who consumes machine cut meat?
Second Question
I am plannig to perform Hajj in 2016 insha Allah. I heard that all the meat/chicken is imported from foreign countries and is machine cut. I have to go there through some travel agency which provides food of the same kind. What is the stance and suggestion regarding the machine cut meat?
I live in USA and it is a problem here too. But Allhamdulillah I do have few options where I can get hand slaughtered zabihah meat. How can I deal this issue when I go for Hajj as the food is provided by the travel agencies or the hotels which they have tie up with? Please advice.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The issue of machine slaughter has been discussed in detail by Mufti Taqi Usmani Saheb (Madda Zilluhu) in his detailed treatise: https://ebrahimsaifuddin.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/mufti-taqi-uthmani-legal-rulings-on-slaughtered-animals.pdf
You may also refer to a research carried out by Muhtaram Mufti Faraz ibn Adam Al-Mahmudi:
http://darulfiqh.com/a-research-on-mechanical-slaughter/
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best 
Maaz Chati
Student Darul Iftaa
Blackburn, England, UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.