Halal

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Halal (حلال, ḥalāl, halaal) is an Arabic term meaning "permissible". In the English language it most frequently refers to food that is permissible according to Islamic law. In the Arabic language it refers to anything that is permissible under Islam.

[edit] "Halal" the Word

The use of the term varies between Arabic-speaking communities and non-Arabic-speaking ones.

In Arabic-speaking countries, the term is used to describe anything permissible under Islamic law, in contrast to haraam, that which is forbidden. This includes behaviour, speech, dress, conduct, manner and dietary laws (listen to some aspects of halal).

In non-Arabic-speaking countries, the term is most commonly used in the narrower context of just Muslim dietary laws, especially where meat and poultry are concerned, though it can be used for the more general meaning as well [1]. This dichotomy of usage is similar to the Hebrew term "kosher".

[edit] Quranic Verses relating to Halal

[edit] Varying Forms of Halal

Muslims vary on what is required for food to be considered "halal".

[edit] Dhabiĥa Halal

Adherents to this philosophy maintain that in order for food to be considered halal, it must not be a forbidden substance and any meat must have been slaughtered according to traditional guidelines set forth by the Sunnah, known as dhabiĥa. This is the strictest definition of halal.

[edit] First type of "Bismillah" Halal

Some believe that the guidelines of dhabiĥa do not necessarily need to be followed^{[citation needed]} and reciting "Bismillah al Raĥman Al Raĥim" (In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful) immediately preceding consumption renders the meat permissible. People who adhere to this type of halal generally do not partake in the consumption of forbidden substances. Defenders of this method declare that the Quran does not dictate that God's (see Islamic concept of God) name must be taken prior to slaughtering the animal, it merely says in multiple places:

And eat not of that whereon Allah's name hath not been mentioned..Quran 6:121 [8]

They also narrate a hadith in which Muhammad states "Mention Allah's name on it and eat..." upon being questioned on how to deal with food that is not verifiably dhabiĥa. [9]^{(dubious; discuss)}

Critics of this method claim that the text of the Quran and the hadith needs to be taken in perspective, and accuse defenders of this method of misinterpreting them. [10]

[edit] Halal and Kosher

Some believe that kosher is an adequate replacement for halal, even though they are not identical[11].

Some go as far as to say that halal and kosher are identical. Although they bear significant resemblance, most Muslim and Jewish authorities believe the terms are not interchangeable. [12]. More information can be found at Comparison of Dhabiĥa Halal and Kashrut.

[edit] Non-Pork Halal

Some believe that as long as a substance is not pork, it can be considered halal.^{[citation needed]} This is contrary to all authoritative interpretations of the Quran, more specifically, the Quranic verses on forbidden substances.

[edit] Dhabiĥa (method used to slaughter animals)

The conventional method of slaughtering all animals excluding fish and most sea-life is known as dhabiĥa (ذَبِيْحَة), often pronounced by non-Arabs as zabiha. It involves severing the major arteries in the neck of the animal, as well as the esophagus and trachea with one swipe of a nonserrated blade.

[edit] Criticisms of Dhabiĥa Halal

Some object to dhabiĥa halal and believe that it causes needless suffering to the animal which is not stunned before slaughter.

Advocates for dhabiĥa halal contend that this method of slaughter is actually more humane than the modern method of stunning before slaughter.

For more detail, see dhabiĥa and animal rights controversy.

[edit] Problems Following dietary laws in non-Muslim countries

Depending on which definition of halal a Muslim chooses to adhere to, and the strictness with which the person chooses to adhere to it, living in a non-Muslim country can pose minimal or great difficulty.

[edit] Dhabiĥa Halal

Dhabiĥa halal is relatively difficult to adhere to in a non-Muslim country. This is for four reasons:

• Depending on the presence or absence of a significant Muslim population in the area, finding grocery stores, meat stores, and restaurants which serve/sell dhabiĥa halal foods can be extremely difficult.

• The abundance of pork and non-dhabiha meats at restaurants presents a rather difficult problem to overcome. While the person will not order a non-dhabiĥa halal dish, there is a concern about "cross-contamination". This is likely to occur when the dhabiĥa halal dish is prepared with the same cooking tools as other non-dhabiĥa halal dishes. Food and juices from the two dishes are likely to be exchanged, technically rendering the dhabiĥa halal dish as haraam.

• The third reason that followers of dhabiĥa halal find it difficult is because of the presence of non-dhabiĥa ingredients. Many apparently meat-free recipes, and even desserts, contain pork, gelatin, or other non-conforming substances. There is also a concern in the Muslim community about food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) that may use enzymes derived from pig fat in the production process. It is very difficult to avoid such food additives as they are widely used and are also not declared on a restaurant menu.

• The final difficulty pertaining to dhabiĥa halal is the frequent use of alcohol, especially wine, in cooking. It is largely used in sauces and cakes, and is also present in ingredient vanilla extract. Some contend that this is not a concern, so long as the alcohol has been thoroughly burned off in the cooking process.

Since the turn of the century, there have been efforts to create organizations such as the Muslim Consumer Group that certify food products as halal for Muslim consumers.

[edit] Comparison with Kashrut

There is a great deal of similarity between the laws of Dhabiĥa halal and Kashrut and there are also various differences. More information can be found at Comparison of Dhabiĥa Halal and Kashrut.

[edit] Debate on Permissibility of Kashrut

Whether or not Muslims can use kashrut standards as a replacement for halal standards is an ongoing debate. However in the Quran, there is a verse which deems the food of Christians and Jews as permissible, which some interpret to say that kosher can be considered halal.

[edit] Halal products in North American fast food

In those areas featuring significant Muslim communities, many restaurants, including fast food chains, either offer halal options or adhere only to halal guidelines. This may also include offering certified halal foods such as dairy products, in addition to halal meat. The definition of halal adhered to can vary from restaurant to restaurant.

• In Dearborn, Michigan, home to one of the largest Muslim and Arab populations in the United States, a number of fast food chains like McDonald's introduced halal chicken nuggets [16]
• In the Greater Toronto Area a number of Popeye's restaurants use only halal chicken[17]

Recent laws passed in the United States have made it illegal for the selling, distribution, and/or production of food that has been mislabeled "Halal," when it is determined that the food doesn't meet Islamic dietary standards. Similar laws protect Kosher foods [18]. Some were struck down by the courts as an unconstitutional sanction of religious provisions, but others were upheld as consumer protection regulations. See Kashrut.

[edit] See also

• Harām
• Islamic dietary laws
• Istihlal
• Sharī'ah
• Kashrut
• Clean animals
• Unclean animals
• Taboo food and drink

[edit] External links

Guides

• Leading Halal certification agency in North America
• HalalSearch.net Online search for Halal certified products, premises and slaughter house
• Zabihah.com Online halal restaurant guide
• Halal and Haraam (Islamic.co.uk) About halal and haraam foods, ingredients, and behavior
• Halal Guide (HalalGuide.info) Guide to Halal and Islamic Lifestyle
• Halaluniversal.comOnline trade for halal conformed products

Information

• Living Halal: a fun and rewarding lifestyle
• Halal: an explanation
• Muslim method of slaughtering
• The Quran and Hadith about halal and haraam food
• Large list of halal-related concepts
• Information on Halal practices by IFANCA
• Answering criticism of the concept
• Answering criticism

• Viva! - Vegetarians International Voice for Animals - The Reality of Religious Slaughter A non-Islamic source on halal slaughter and animal suffering
• Halal killing may be banned

Commercial

• - Crescenthalal.com An Halal chicken provider in United States. Certified from Shar'iah Board of America.ar:مباح

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