Dhabiha of Ahl al-Kitab

Dhabīḥa of Ahl al-Kitāb (Arabic: ذَبيحة أهل الكتاب) is an animal slaughtered by People of the Book (followers of religions whose prophets have received a divine book). According to Shaykh Baha'i (d. 1031/1621-2), most Shi'a jurists, including Shaykh Tusi, Shaykh Mufid, and Sayyid Murtada, consider eating the meat of such animals as impermissible, even if they mention God's name upon slaughtering. Imam Khomeini also shared this view. These jurists, citing narrations, believe that the permissibility of the food of the People of the Book mentioned in the Quran 5:5 refers to foods such as grains, not meat slaughtered by them. Moreover, according to these scholars, the body parts and skin of animals with gushing blood slaughtered by the People of the Book are considered dead bodies of animals and impure, and their leather and skin cannot be used.

According to Shaykh Baha'i, a few jurists consider the meat slaughtered by the People of the Book permissible. 'Allama Hilli attributes this opinion to Ibn Abi Aqil and Ibn Junayd Iskafi. Shaykh Saduq and Muhaqqiq Ardabili believe that such meat is permissible if the name of God is mentioned upon slaughtering.

Regarding this issue, several works have been written, including:

• The book Tahrim Dhaba'ih Ahl al-Kitab by Shaykh Mufid (d. 413/1022). In this work, he argues for the prohibition of the meat slaughtered by the People of the Book using evidence from the Qur’an, hadiths, and the consensus. He also provides arguments for refuting the opposing views that support its permissibility.

• The book Hurmat Dhaba'ih Ahl al-Kitab, by Shaykh Baha'i (d. 1031/1621-2), was written at the request of Shah Abbas of the Safavid dynasty. In this work, Shaykh Baha'i first examines the views of both Shi’a and Sunni scholars. He has expressed doubt on the prohibition of meat slaughtered by the People of the Book, and rather than issuing a fatwa on the matter, he conveys his perspective with the phrase, "God knows the truth of matters."