Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

 All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

If you have reasons to believe that the butchers are idol worshippers, then you should not eat such meat. Otherwise, according to the rules of Islamic jurisprudence, you are allowed.

 

The Prophet’s companions never asked such questions while eating the meat coming from the People of the Book.

 

According to a report from Aishah: The Prophet was asked, “We get the meat from the people; we are not sure whether they mentioned the name of Allah (while slaughtering the animal). The Prophet replied, “You mention the name of Allah while eating it.” (Al-Bukhari)

In other words, you do assume the meat to be halal until proven otherwise.

Therefore, as long as the majority of people of the country you are referring are the Christians and Jews, and the meat shops and slaughterhouses are owned and operated by them, you should not dig any further.

 

The Prophet warned us against rigidity and hair-splitting discussions in matters of religion: He said, “Woe to those who are rigid; woe to those who are rigid.”  (Muslim)

 

“This religion of ours is easy to practice; whoever makes it hard will be defeated by it ( and forced to give it up).” (Al-Bukhari)

 

Almighty Allah knows best.