Can we eat the meat slaughtered by the Finnish people (beef and chicken)? I have read in the book of Dr. Yusef Al-Qaradawi (al Halal & al Haram), that it is Halal, but I have heard from many others that it is Haram. How it can be while it is very clear in Holy Qur'an that the food of People of the Book is Halal? Could you please clarify? Allah bless you all.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Islam permits Muslims to eat from the meat of eatable animals slaughtered by Christians or Jews.  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {….The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals, etc.) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you….}[5:5].  This is a consensus among all the scholars of Islam.

This rule is not affected by the fact that these Christians or Jews neglect their religion.  But if it is known that they slaughter their animals in a way different from their normal religious slaughtering (cutting the throat), like using electrical shock or strangling, etc., then it becomes unlawful to eat from their meat.

In addition, if they slaughter some animals as sacrifices for anyone other than God, it is also unlawful to eat from their meat.

From the above, we know that it is initially lawful to eat from the meat of animals slaughtered by the Finns unless it is proved that they use the forbidden ways of slaughtering.

In addition, if there are among them idolaters or pagans and the like, it is unlawful to eat the meat of animals slaughtered by the latter.

Allah knows best.