Halal (حلال, halāl, 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.

'Halal' the Word

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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.

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 ^*. This dichotomy of usage is similar to the Jewish term "kosher".

Varying Applied Definitions

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Since the literal translation of "halal" is "permissible", there are varying implications of the word. Some applied definitions of the word are hot topics for debate, while others blatantly contradict Quranic Ayats. Generally, the word "halal" implies any one of the following, or any combination of those below:

Dhabiĥa Halal

Adherents to this philosophy maintain that in order for food to be considered halal, it must not be a forbidden substance. And if the food is a meat, the animal must have been slaughtered according to traditional guidelines set forth by the Sunnah, known as dhabiĥa. Generally, Muslims consider this to be the "safest" definition of halal.

First type of "Bismillah" Halal

Some believe that the guidelines of dhabiĥa do not necessarily need to be followed^* 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 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 ^*

• Critics of this method claim that by only acknowledging the Quran and not the Sunnah, which generally prescribes dhabiĥa, people using the "Bismillah" method are ignoring half of the religion. They also accuse defenders of this method of misinterpreting and altering hadith(s) to suit their own purposes. ^*

Second type of "Bismillah" Halal

Adherents to this type of "Bismillah Halal" generally believe that any food, whether or not it is a forbidden substance, becomes halal once "Bismillah al Raĥman Al Raĥim" (In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful) is recited over the food. Generally, this phrase is recited immediately prior to consumption. ^*

It is beleived by many that this method of making food halal does not adhere to Islamic guidelines, largely because it contradicts the Quran. More specifically, critics of this philosophy highlight Ayat 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, and 16:115. ^*

Halal And Kosher

Some believe that the terms halal and kosher can be used interchangeably. Although they bear significant resemblence, this is a factually incorrect statement. ^*. More information can be found at Dhabiha: Comparison With Kashrut.

Non-Pork Halal

Some believe that as long as a meat is not pork, it can be considered halal. This is contrary to all authoritative interpretations of the Quran, more specifically, Ayat 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, and 16:115. ^*

Dhabiĥa (method used to slaughter animals)

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The conventional method of slaughtering all animals excluding fish and most sea-life is known as dhabiĥa (ذَبِيْحَة), commonly mispronounced 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.

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.

Problems following dietary laws in non-Muslim countries

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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.

Dhabiĥa Halal

Dhabiĥa halal, logically, is the most 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.

Comparison with Kashrut

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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 With Kashrut.

Halal products in North American fast food

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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.

• 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 use only halal beef.
• In the Greater Toronto Area a number of Popeye's restaurants use only halal chicken.

There have been some recently passed laws in the United States to make the selling, distribution, and/or production of food that has been labeled "Halal", although it doesn't meet Islamic dietary standards, to be illegal, similar to laws that protect Kosher foods. ^*

See also

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

External links

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Guides

• 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) Your Guide to Halal Food and Economy
• Halaluniversal.comOnline trade for halal conformed products

Information

• Halal: an explanation
• Muslim method of slaughtering
• The Quran and Hadith about halal and haraam food
• Large list of halal-related concepts
• 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

Halaal food | Islamic law | Food law

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