Halal and Haram in Food

Halal and Haram in Food

• Halal means lawful or permissible in Arabic
• Haram means prohibited or unlawful in Arabic
• Makrooh means disapproved, disliked, hated, or detested in Arabic
• Mushbooh means doubtful or questionable in Arabic
• Tayyab means wholesome or fit for consumption in Arabic

Basic Terms

• Quran: The literal word of God recited to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Arabic by the Angel Gabriel.
• Surah: A chapter of the Quran
• Hadith: A written record of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'s life and thoughts
• Shariah: The moral code and religious law for Muslims

What is Halal?

• Definition of Halal: In Arabic, halal means lawful or permissible.
• Common Misconception: Non-Muslims often associate halal exclusively with foods Muslims can eat.
• Broader Context: Halal describes everything permissible for a Muslim to do, encompassing both actions and thoughts

The Impact of Halal on a Muslim's Life

• Halal impacts every aspect of a Muslim's life
• Dress Code: Halal dictates the types of clothes that can be worn
• Work Ethics: Attitudes towards work are shaped by Halal principles
• Gender Relations: Halal influences relations between men and women
• Child Treatment: The treatment of children is guided by Halal principles
• Business Practices: Halal principles must be applied in the way business is conducted
• Community Relations: The treatment of fellow Muslims is also governed by Halal.

Halal and the Quran

• The Quran is the first place a Muslim turns to understand what is halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden).
• Quran revealed over 23 years, from the 40th year of Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) life until his death in 632.
• The angel Gabriel visited Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and recited the word of God.
• The Quran consists of 114 chapters (surahs), which vary in length.
• Surahs are not organized thematically. They begin with the longest and conclude with the shortest.
• Islam is submission to the word of God; Muslim= one who submits
• Laws are explicitly laid out in the Holy Quran
• Food and its derivatives are mentioned 49 times

Other Sources of Halal Instruction

• Hadith: Prophetic traditions, providing guidance on various aspects of life
• Sunnah: Clear path or trodden path, embodying practices and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
• Shariah Law: Only one authority-God; Muslims submit to it. Rules for international law, politics, and economics, and personal rules around marriage, divorce, diet, hygiene, prayer; legal systems differ
• Role of Islamic judges (qadis) and religious scholars (ulama) to look at similar situations and principles that may be used to gain insight into God's will. Principle of consensus (ijma) to guide them.

What is Halal Food?

• Food holds a great status in Islam, reflecting its importance in daily life.
• Halal refers to what is permissible in Islam, indicating that food is lawful unless specified as otherwise.
• Food should be wholesome and fit for human consumption (tayyab).
• All foods must be produced in hygienic conditions to ensure that no food pathogens are allowed to contaminate the food.
• Only certain animals are permitted for consumption under Halal guidelines.
• Method of slaughter must adhere to prescribed techniques.

Halal Food Defined

• All plant and their products
• Halal slaughtered meat, poultry, game birds, and halal animal ingredients (non-predatory animals)
• Water creatures, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks
• Eggs from acceptable birds
• Non-animal rennet (NAR) or rennet from halal slaughtered calves.
• Gelatine produced from halal beef bones or skins
• Eating under non-normal conditions of the animal is not permitted.
• Dying fish must not be made to suffer or cut open while alive.

Haram Food Defined

• Pork/swine and its by-products.
• Animals improperly slaughtered, dead before slaughtering.
• Carrion (bangkai)/dead animals
• Animals killed in the name of anyone other than Allah (God), and lawful animals not slaughtered according to Islamic rites. (Fish is exempt)
• Carnivorous, Animals with fangs (e.g., tigers),
• Birds with talons (e.g., owls, eagles)
• Land animals without external ears
• Animals Islam encourages killing,
• Animals Islam forbids killing,
• Animals with toxins/poisons or ill-effects
• Amphibious animals (Crocodiles)
• Blood, blood by-products, faces and urine
• Reptiles, insects (worms, lice)
• Wine, ethyl alcohol, spirits, & intoxicants
• Foods contaminated with above products
• Foods processed/made/stored using unclean utensils/equipment/machinery

Animal Welfare in Islam

• Mistreatment of animals is considered sinful.
• Animals viewed as creatures dependent on God, and having their own lives, and purpose
• Muslims believe animals engage in active worship of God.
• Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) provided examples demonstrating concern for animal welfare and condemned animal mistreatment

Prohibitions Against Animals Cruelty

• Forbidden to strike/beat an animal
• Cutting off body parts (tails, humps)
• Branding/marking an animal on the face
• Mental cruelty is prohibited

Halal Slaughter

• Based on the Holy Quran, Hadith, and Sharia law.
• Abattoirs/factories under supervision of an Islamic religious organization.
• Animals should have a preslaughter rest, be well fed and cared for.
• Securely restrained before throat is cut
• Premises, equipment, machinery must be classified according to Islamic law
• Muslim men must be trained in a licensed slaughterhouse to implement hygiene and animal welfare.
• Slaughterman must be mature, pious, with sound mind, approved by religious authorities, & meat hygiene services
• Animal/bird must be alive, healthy, and free from injury
• Skin/fur/feathers must be clean
• Not hungry/thirsty before slaughter, not slaughtered in front of other animals
• Animal handled gently, knife not sharpened in front of animal, no stress, no stunning
• Knife used for slaughter must be very sharp and clean.
• Cut in correct anatomical site (carotids, jugulars, windpipe, and gullet); without gutting spinal cord
• All blood allowed to flow
• Animals shouldn't be shackled/hoisted before bleeding, hoisting only after animal loses consciousness
• Restraining equipment should be comfortable, specific time should be allowed until animal stops. De-feathering, de-skinning only after slaughter. Unlawful meat should not contaminate halal meat. Separate knives, etc. should be used.

The Holy Quran and the Hadith

• Verses explain why Muslims can only eat halal foods, the role of God in prescribing food, and verses concerning slaughter of animals.
• Verses establish lawful/pure food; verses establish that actions or things should not be done

Explore the essential concepts of Halal and Haram as they relate to food and daily life for Muslims. This quiz delves into the meanings of key terms, the significance of Halal in a Muslim's life, and common misconceptions surrounding it. Understand the broader context of Halal that encompasses actions and thoughts.