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Fatwa CenterSelling 'Questionable' Meat in Family's Restaurant
Question
My parents own a restaurant and every time a person asks whether the food is Halal, we instinctively respond, "Yes". The reason we say yes is because the word "Halal" is usually used to describe food that is permissible to eat and not food that is necessarily "Zabiha". When people asked whether the food was Zabiha, I also responded "yes" even though the food was not Zabiha. Some of the meat that we serve doesn't come from Islamic sources. What is the ruling in this situation? Should we apologize openly to the people and tell them of our sin/mistake or should we repent and start informing the people more clearly of the type of meat that we serve?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
A Muslim has to be truthful in word and in deed, especially in case of dealing in trade since telling a lie leads to cheating and deception.
The Prophet said: “He who cheats is not one of us (Muslims).” [Muslim]
As for selling meat as you mentioned, we state that if you know that such meat is imported from some Muslim country or animals (cows, sheep, goat, camels) are slaughtered in accordance with the Sharee’ah by the people of the Book, then it is lawful to sell such meat to Muslims or non-Muslims.
But, if a Muslim asks you about the meat, you should tell him the truth you know, because he may prefer to be more pious or hate to eat the meat of the People of the Book.
As for the meat of animals slaughtered by non-Muslims other than the People of the Book (i.e. by Magi and heathen), it is unlawful to sell such a meat since it is of the dead animals which is completely prohibited.
We advise you to repent from your sin, if there is any in this concern. Then, seek Allah's forgiveness and increase your good deeds hoping that Allah will accept you.
In addition, you have to conceal your misdeeds and do more good deeds, such as charity.
After that, if you recognize any of your customers who bought some of the unlawful meat, you are to return their money to them. But, if you cannot, then you have to pay as a charity the sum of money that you think is equal to what you took before by this practice.
For more benefit on consuming the meat of the People of the Book in Non-Muslim Countries, please refer to Fatwa 425902.
Allah knows best.
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