Ruling on frozen meat imported from abroad

Q 1: What is the ruling on eating canned meat imported from non-Muslim countries? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "What is Halal (lawful) is evident and what is Haram (prohibited) is evident, and in between them are doubtful things which many people do not know. So anyone who guards against doubtful things keeps their religion and honor blameless; and anyone who indulges in doubtful things in fact indulges in what is Haram." Also, the following Hadith was related by Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy, who ranked it as Hasan (good) in his book entitled "Jami` Al-Tirmidhy", on the authority of Simak ibn Harb who narrated that he heard Qabisah (Part No. 22; Page No. 403) ibn Halb saying that his father asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the food of the Christians and he (peace be upon him) said, "Do not feel doubtful about the lawfulness of food so that you would not resemble Christianity." How can we reconcile these two Hadiths?

A: There is no contradiction between the two Hadiths. If you know that the Christians have mentioned the Name of Allah when slaughtering their animals, it is Halal food and comes under the first part of the Hadith, which says: "what is Halal is evident". If you know that they have mentioned other than the Name of Allah when slaughtering their animals, it is Haram (prohibited) food and comes under the second part of the Hadith, which says: "what is Haram is evident". If you are ignorant of both cases, you should follow the basic rule which is the lawfulness of their slaughtered animals. As for the food that is not dependant on slaughtering, such as bread, there is no doubt that it is Halal. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.