________________________________________________________________________ | w w w |\ | || || | || |\ | o_,_7 _|| . _o_7 _|| 4_|_|| o_w_, |\ | ( : / (_) / ( . |\ | |\ | || || | || |T | | || | |\ | . _, _8 |_D_|| . _,_,_,_D_|| 4_|| q ]_o_7_o _|_c 4_|_|| _|,_p q |\ | (_): / (_): . : / (_S (_S / |\ | |\ | In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful |\ | Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\ |_______________________________________________________________________|\ Dear Brothers and sisters in islam, The folowing answer was kindly provided by Shaikh Kassamali. Salaams, Zahir Panju abdg-a moderator Question: I would request this question to be answered according to the resalah of Ayatuallah Seestani and marhum Ayatullah Golpaygani. This is the situation: A close Muslim relative of ours drinks alcohol - he has also informed us that he and his family do not eat Zabeeha meat ((even though it is readily available - we are told that it costs too much to buy)). They tell us that when they cook for orders for customers, or for the Masjid (when they have dinner, etc..), they then buy Zabeeha Meat. As for the drinking, he does not regularly drink, and we do not know if he keeps it in the house, or if he goes out to drink, but we do know when he has the urge, he drinks heavily. Are we allowed to eat food from his house, and can we eat any food he gives us - in either scenario ((for his drinking alcohol and for his not buying Zabeeha)). Answer: Eating food at a Muslim's house including that which contains meat is permissible. There is no need to investigate. However, when a Muslim himself tells you that he is not observing the religious requirements of cooking only halal meat then we need to investigate. Therefore before every meal at such a person's house one has to be sure that the meat is halal. As for his drinking alcohol (may the Almighty save us all from this gross evil), it does not make him Kafir or Najis. It is better to do Nahy `Anil Munkar, if it is possible, when you visit such a relative. Ayatullah Khu'i was asked: Is it permissible to curse a Shi`ah who drinks? He said: it is not permissible. Rferences: Tawdeehul Masaa'il by Sayyid Golpaygani and Sayyid Seestani and Muniyatul Masaail by Sayyid al-Khu'i. God knows the best. Hasnain Kassmali Humble servant of the Ahlul Bayt (a)