Table of Contents
Have you ever wondered what halal food is and why it is important? As Muslims, seeking out halal food is a necessary part of our faith and daily lives. Halal food is gaining popularity worldwide. Not only Muslims but also people of many other religions appreciate its value and flavor. In this post, I will explain about halal food with facts and why it is important for Muslims.
What is the meaning of Halal (حلال) ?
Halal is an Arabic word that means ” lawful” or “permitted.” In the context of Islamic dietary laws, halal refers to any food, drink, or action that is allowed and considered acceptable according to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah.
According to Islamic laws, we should know how food is sourced, processed, and prepared. Muslims must follow Islamic guidelines and ensure that their food is clean, halal, pure, and ethical.
The Allah clearly mention in the Quran about halal meat
قُلْ حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْخَبِيثُ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا عَادٍ وَلَا بَغٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Say, Prophet Muhammad (PUBH), 'It has been revealed to me that only a few things are forbidden: dead animals, blood that flows freely, pig meat, and meat offered to idols. But if you're forced to eat something because you're starving, and you don't mean any harm, then Allah is forgiving and merciful.
Halal vs Haram
The opposite of halal is haram, which means unlawful or forbidden. The difference between halal vs haram is a basic part of Islamic teachings, guiding Muslims in their daily lives and choices, including their dietary habits.
Many non-Muslim people confuse the term halal, which refers to just simply eating healthy, organic, or slaughtering the animal. Animals like goats, sheep, and cows should be slaughtered with proper dua and according to Islamic dietary laws.
In Islam, pork or pork products and alcohol are not halal for Muslims. In non-Muslim countries, you should purchase those products that are labeled with halal certification and according to Islamic dietary laws.
Some key principles include:
- Slaughter Method: Animals must be slaughtered by humans, with specific Islamic guidelines that involve invoking the name of Allah (God) and using a sharp knife to ensure a swift and painless death.
- Hygiene: The slaughtering facility and tools like knives must adhere to strict hygiene and sanitation standards.
- Forbidden Food: Halal food must not contain substances that are prohibited in Islam, such as pork or its by-products, and any intoxicants or alcoholic beverages.
Halal Food
- Halal food items have been certified by a recognized halal certification authority. The food and drink products have undergone a strict certification process to ensure they meet the halal food guidelines.
- The drink items also do not contain any ingredients like alcohol, intoxicating and hazardous plants (unless toxins are eliminated during processing), blood, and their derivatives.
- The common halal food products include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, and grains. These food items can be found in supermarkets and grocery stores, which are labeled as halal certified.
Halal Meat
- In Non-Muslim countries, Halal meat and food should be halal-certified from IFANCA, HCS, or HFA. For Halal meat the animals like cows, sheep, goats, and camels should be slaughtered according to Islamic procedures.
- Meat that has the ingredients of pigs, carnivorous animals, birds of prey, pests, poisonous or hazardous animals, and animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law is considered to be haram.
- Slaughtering the animal with a sharp knife for a swift ensures that the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe are cut in once so the animal does not feel any pain. If the blood is consumed in an animal’s body, it will be considered haram.
- The dead animal or has died due to illness or natural causes is also considered a haram.
- All equipment, knives, and facilities must be free from non-halal substances or contamination. While Slaughtering must follow Islamic procedures, including invoking the name of Allah, using a sharp knife for a swift and humane slaughter, and severing specific blood vessels and organs.
Halal Food Recipes
Every culture has unique cuisine, and many have adapted their dishes to meet Halal standards. There’s a Halal version of almost every dish, whether it’s Halal Korean food, Halal Italian pasta, or Halal chicken tacos.
Cities like London, New York, and Kuala Lumpur are known for their various food scenes. Several Halal restaurants offer everything from street food to fine dining.
