Featured write up by Pastor Femi Solomon
A Question That Sparks Debate
CAN A CHRISTIAN EAT SALAH MEAT?
This question has been such that generates all manners of arguments for or against almost every time it is raised. I intend to answer this question and by the Spirit of God give a holistic perspective to it. Before we answer the question, let us look into the origin of this meat. There are two schools of thought about Salah meat.
The First School of Thought: Abraham’s Sacrifice
The Origin in Genesis
Many believed that Salah meat originated from the instruction God gave to Abraham to go and sacrifice his son at Moriah. Gen 22:2 says Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Eventually, if you read this chapter, you will discover Abraham didn’t sacrifice Isaac, but God stopped him and pointed his attention to a ram caught in a thicket by its horns and that was what he sacrificed.
The Shared Heritage of Abraham
Let me say that three religions accepted Abraham as their father: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. By the way, I hope you know that Islam is traceable to the relationship between Abraham and Hagar; ISHMAEL. He happened to be the first son of Abraham but not the child of promise. However, Muslims won’t agree with this. As a matter of fact, they began to get it wrong when they believed it was Ishmael that Abraham wanted to sacrifice.
What Does the Ram Represent in Christianity?
The ram is an adumbration of the redemption that would eventually come through Jesus Christ. At Mount Moriah, Abraham adumbrated God who offered His Son; Isaac adumbrated Jesus Christ as the willing sacrifice. If you care to know, Golgotha, where Jesus Christ was crucified, is in the same geographical location as Moriah where this event took place.
Where Islam Is Believed to Get It Wrong
Isaac, and not Ishmael, was the one that the ram replaced. Even if they think it was Ishmael that was to be offered, the curse that ran through Abraham’s family that prevented the firstborn from inheriting the promise also prevented Ishmael. In fact, the Bible says ‘Abraham gave his material possessions to the sons of the concubines (including Ishmael) but gave all he had to Isaac.
• Abraham didn’t do a yearly sacrifice of a ram.
• Abraham neither ate the meat nor distributed it to anyone. It was a burnt offering.
• Redemption is now completed in Christ Jesus when He died on the Cross and shed His blood.
THE IMPLICATION OF THE ABOVE IS THAT THE WHOLE YEARLY PRACTICE IS BASELESS AND STANDS ONLY ON FALSE PREMISES.
The Second School of Thought: Salah as Pagan Practice
This second one most likely derives its origin from the first one described above. It is believed that the ram that Muslims kill on Salah Day is a sacrifice to their god whose name is Allah. Yahweh is not Allah, as Allah is the name of the pagan moon god of the Quraysh tribe of Mecca.
Some believe this practice is not a continuation of Abraham's tradition. One of the reasons is the preference for camels, aligning more with pagan Arabian practices.
It is said the animal must face Qibla (the direction of prayer) and that Allah’s name is chanted over it.
This hasn’t been written to stir up hatred or religious conflict but to give proper perspective to things.
Whichever school of thought you believe is not the main issue.
The big question remains:
Can a Christian Eat Salah Meat?
Old Testament Command: Avoid Food Offered to Idols
The Jews and early Jewish Christians were instructed to avoid food offered to idols:
Acts 15:29 — “...that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality...”
The Reasons for the Yes
1. Scriptural Inaccuracy of Salah Justification
According to the first school of thought, the premises for killing the ram are unfounded in the Scriptures.
2. Supremacy of Christ and Christian Liberty
• In Christ Jesus, there is no other god.
• It is not wrong to eat food given by unbelievers.
• 1 Tim. 4:1–5: All food is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.
• You can eat if it is to extend the Love of God to them.
3. Love and Social Harmony
If you want them to eat your Christmas chicken, why should you reject their Salah meat?
The Shift from Judaism to Christianity
Paul’s Teachings on Food Offered to Idols
1 Corinthians 8:1-8 — Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up...
1 Corinthians 10:25-27 — Eat what is sold without raising questions...
Romans 14:12-14 — No food is unclean in itself...
Jesus Christ's Perspective on Food
• What goes into the mouth doesn’t defile, but what comes out does. (Mark 7:9–23, Matthew 15:10–13)
• Luke 10:8 — “...eat what is set before you.”
• Mark 16:15-17 — Believers are protected, even from poison.
The Reasons for the No — and the Balance
For the Sake of Others' Conscience
Romans 14:14-18 — Don’t destroy your brother with food.
1 Corinthians 10:28-32 — If told it was offered in sacrifice, don’t eat for the sake of the other person's conscience.
Summary: A Matter of Liberty, Love, and Discernment
Eating Salah meat is not a bad thing but make sure you don’t do so to the detriment of the faith and spiritual stamina of other Christians. While you are free to eat, don’t flaunt this knowledge to the detriment of your brothers in Christ Jesus.
LET THE LOVE OF GOD GOVERN YOUR ACTIONS.
— Pastor Femi Solomon
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