mere adherence to authority; for this is the conduct of people of ignorance and caprice. This is all the more so since the view that such slaughter is unlawful, whether now or previously, is exceedingly weak and contrary to what is known of the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and of the practice of his Companions and those who followed them in righteousness. Anyone who objects to this must hold one of “two views.”

Either he belongs to those who prohibit “animals slaughtered by the People of the Book” without qualification, as some of the Rāfidah maintain. These people prohibit marrying women of the People of the Book and eating animals slaughtered by them. This is not the position of any Muslim imam renowned for issuing fatwas, nor of their followers.

It is an erroneous view that contradicts the Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the early Muslims. For Allah Most High says in His Book:

“The food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste believing women and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you.”

If it is said that this verse conflicts with His words:

“Do not marry polytheistic women until they believe,”

and His words, Most High:

“Do not hold on to marriage bonds with disbelieving women,”

then the answer is threefold. First, the Quran’s unqualified references to polytheism do not include the People of the Book; they are included only in qualified references to polytheism. Allah Most High says:

“Those who disbelieved among the People of