The Valley is in shock after authorities uncovered a disturbing case of rotten meat being sold to unsuspecting families a scandal that has not only endangered public health but also struck at the very heart of Islamic ethics and moral responsibility.

Municipal raids in several districts revealed storage units filled with foul-smelling, decayed meat, some allegedly kept for months in unhygienic and disease-prone conditions. Laboratory tests confirmed the meat was unfit for human consumption, yet was being sold in the market as “fresh.”
For Muslims, the outrage is not only about law-breaking but also about the betrayal of imaan (faith) and zameer (conscience). The Qur’an is explicit:
“Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly…” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188)
Selling impure, harmful food to fellow Muslims and non-Muslims alike is seen as a grave sin. It is not merely a commercial offence but an act of treachery that violates the trust (amana) Allah has placed upon every believer.
Religious scholars across Kashmir have condemned the act in strong terms. “The Prophet ﷺ warned: ‘Whoever cheats us is not one of us’ (Sahih Muslim). Such people will answer not only to the courts but to Allah on the Day of Judgement.”
The scandal has ignited a moral debate in homes, mosques, and marketplaces. For generations, Kashmiri business culture was guided by the principle that profit must never override conscience. Yet incidents like this point to a dangerous erosion of those values.
Authorities have sealed several shops and arrested suspects, promising strict action. But many citizens fear that if taqwa (God-consciousness) is lost, no number of raids or inspections can safeguard society.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said: “It is enough of a sin for a man to deceive those who trust him” (Sunan Ibn Majah). In this light, the rotten meat scandal is not just about food safety. it is a direct violation of the divine command to be honest, fair, and compassionate in all dealings.
As the Valley reels from this betrayal, community leaders are calling for more than legal punishment, they are urging a return to Islamic business ethics, where trade is an act of worship, honesty is the currency, and every sale is made with the awareness that Allah is the ultimate witness.
The question remains in the market of life, will we choose conscience or business?

Email:----------------------- darfarooz124@gmail.com