Animals slaughtered by someone of unknown religion

Q 2: Concerning the Hadith in which some people asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about meat slaughtered by some Bedouins without knowing how it was slaughtered, the Messenger's reply was that they should mention the Name of Allah first (saying Basmalah) before eating it. We would like to know the legal ruling in this regard. A: Firstly, the wording of the Hadith is as follows: `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that some people asked, "O Messenger of Allah, some people bring us some meat, and we do not know whether they mentioned the Name of Allah over it or not." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Say the Name of Allah over it and then eat." She said, "They were new in Islam." (Related by Al-Bukhari, Al-Nasa'y and Ibn Majah) Secondly, the Hadith indicates that if the Muslim slaughters a sacrificial animal, it will be supposed that he has mentioned the Name of Allah over it, even if he was new in Islam, out of thinking well of him. Based upon this, it is permissible for others to eat from his slaughtered animal without the need to know whether he slaughtered it lawfully or not, rather he should only say the Name of Allah over it when eating as prescribed by Shar` (Islamic Law). (Part No. 22; Page No. 368

Firstly, the wording of the Hadith is as follows: `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that some people asked, "O Messenger of Allah, some people bring us some meat, and we do not know whether they mentioned the Name of Allah over it or not." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Say the Name of Allah over it and then eat." She said, "They were new in Islam." (Related by Al-Bukhari, Al-Nasa'y and Ibn Majah) Secondly, the Hadith indicates that if the Muslim slaughters a sacrificial animal, it will be supposed that he has mentioned the Name of Allah over it, even if he was new in Islam, out of thinking well of him. Based upon this, it is permissible for others to eat from his slaughtered animal without the need to know whether he slaughtered it lawfully or not, rather he should only say the Name of Allah over it when eating as prescribed by Shar` (Islamic Law). (Part No. 22; Page No. 368) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.