Question

I run meat business, and it concerns me alot on the general practices of meat selling in UAE.
Consumer always ask whether the meat is pakistani or indian, however in general the fair pricing of these two countries are not acceptable to customer. So it is a routine practice of meat sellers to call it pakistani or indian goat meat regardless of its origins.
I would really like to know what should i do.
Because if I tell them the real origin that this is kenyan or ethiopian, they dont buy at all and have a common perception that meat quality from these countries are not good, however it is exactly the same meat sold in other shops but they dont disclose the real origin and sell it as Pakistani and indian

Secondly, even if I try to sell exactly same origin which they ask for, they dont like the taste and quality because of the common and routine practice of butchers selling kenyan/ethiopian goat meat as Pakistani/Indian since long time.

This has now become a common practice in our business category however it bothers me alot.

I do not have any other source of income and this is the only business i have been doing since last 3 years, however I am really concerned on this practice whether it is fair or no and I will be answerable for this act?

Answer

It is not permissible to lie about the origin of the meat your are selling. Doing so will fall under the prohibition of lying and deception and it is not befitting of a Muslim business owner to conduct business in this manner.

As you have mentioned there is still the issue that speaking the truth may reduce your customers. There are two points to bare in mind in this regard. Firstly, if you speak the truth, insha Allah there will be more blessing in your business.

Secondly, this is a matter of education. You should educate your customers regarding the industry practice so that they are aware and can educate others. You do not have to specify any particular business owner but inform them generally of what is happening in the industry and leave it to them to investigate further. Insha Allah your honesty will increase your reliability and over time will create a stronger customer base.

Consider the following hadith:

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The merchants will be raised up on the day of resurrection as evildoers, except those who fear Allah, are honest and speak the truth.”

المعجم الكبير للطبراني (5/ 44)
عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ رِفَاعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ: خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَى الْبَقِيعِ فَقَالَ: «يَا مَعْشَرَ التُّجَّارِ» حَتَّى اشْرَأَبُّوا قَالَ: «إِنَّ التُّجَّارَ يُحْشَرُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فُجَّارًا إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّقَى وَبَرَّ وَصَدَقَ

سنن الدارمي (3/ 1652)
عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ رِفَاعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ: خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَى الْبَقِيعِ، فَقَالَ: «يَا مَعْشَرَ التُّجَّارِ»، حَتَّى إِذَا اشْرَأَبُّوا، قَالَ: «التُّجَّارُ يُحْشَرُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فُجَّارًا، إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ وَبَرَّ وَصَدَقَ»، [ص:1653] قَالَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ: ” كَانَ أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ يَقُولُ: عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رِفَاعَةَ، وَإِنَّمَا هُوَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ رِفَاعَةَ

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel