Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaah. Shaykh Dr. Salah Sawy, what is your opinion of this fatwa? Is it correct and is it correctly attributed to Shaykh Uthaymeen rahimahullaah? This is the link to hear the fatwa of Shaykh Uthaymeen, rahimahullaah. When he visited America, they asked him about the ruling on eating meat in America because they had two doubts. The first doubt: It not being slaughtered because of what is mentioned about them electrocuting (and is this electrocution solely to prepare the animal then to slaughter it before it dies or does it die as a result of electrocution? Allaah knows best.). The second doubt: Many of them (i.e. the Americans) having left Christianity to begin with and became areligious, which would them remove their title "people of the book" - the Shaykh's response was surprising. See the video clip here on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=TxsuZAjfnWY .

In the name of Allaah, the Benevolent, the Merciful. All praise is due to Allaah, and may peace and blessings be upon the messenger of Allaah, upon his family, companions, and those loyal to him. Shaykh Uthaymeen rahimahullaah is a grand scholar, and from him and his likes we learn, and what you mentioned of his statements is in line with the principles. The Jews and Christians remain People of the Book even if they uphold the trinity, the cross, and/or the Messiah being a son to Allaah - Glorified much is Allaah above what they say. Allaah has addressed them with this description in the same verse that he mentioned their polytheism and disbelief. He, the Most High, said: "Oh people of the book, don't transgress in your religion and don't say about Allaah except the truth. The Messiah, son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allaah and His word that He cast unto Mary and a soul from Him. So believe in Allaah and His messengers and don't say 'three'! Desist! It is better for you. Allaah is but One - Glorified He is above having a son. Belonging to Him is what is in the heavens and what is in the Earth, and Allaah is sufficient of a witness." The only exception would be if a person of the People of the Book announces his disbelief in the heavenly revelations and apostates to absolute paganism or agnosticism or the likes. As for what he (i.e. Shaykh Uthaymeen) mentioned of not inquiring about the method of slaughter, then this is correct and its place - And Allaah knows best - is with regards to what is hidden to us. As for when you know that the people don't slaughter, then the Shaykh's words are not to be used in the likes of these (circumstances). And Allaah, the Most High, knows best.