This article provides an overview of Islamic dietary laws, explaining which foods Muslims can consume according to Islamic jurisprudence. While Islam is a global religion with 1.3 billion adherents, variations in practice exist.
Understanding Halal and Haram
Halal is an Arabic term signifying "permissible" or "lawful," while haram denotes "unlawful" or "prohibited." These terms extend beyond food to encompass other permissible and impermissible aspects of life. In the context of food, halal refers to any food product that adheres to Islamic guidelines, with the vast majority of foods falling under this category. Foods whose halal status is uncertain or debated may be classified as mushbooh, meaning "doubtful."
Permissible Meats: Halal and Zabiha
When it comes to meat, halal or zabiha indicates that the animal was slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines. Islam emphasizes the humane treatment of animals and prescribes a specific method of slaughter. This includes mentioning God’s name when slaughtering the animal, slaughtering it by slitting the throat with a sharp object, and draining its blood. Any animal not killed according to these criteria is generally not permissible for Muslims to consume.
Herbivores, cud-chewing animals like cattle, deer, sheep, goats, and antelope are halal only if they are treated like sentient beings and slaughtered painlessly while reciting the basmala and takbir. If the animal is treated poorly or tortured while being slaughtered, the meat is haram.
Dhabīḥah is the prescribed method of slaughter for halal animals.
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Prohibited Foods: Haram
Certain types of meat are explicitly forbidden in Islam, most notably pork. Pork or non-halal meat restrictions extend beyond the meat itself to include any food items containing pork or non-halal meat as an ingredient. For instance, gelatin, often derived from non-halal sources like pork, is commonly found in gummy products, marshmallows, and some desserts, rendering these items prohibited.
A variety of substances are also considered unlawful (haram) for humans to consume and therefore, the consumption of them is forbidden by the Sharia (Islamic law). Haram is typically classified as Haram li-dhatih (textual haram) and Haram li-ghayrih (derivative rules). Textual haram are things explicitly declared in scriptures.
Differences of opinion exist as to whether the consumption of horses, mules, and donkeys is permitted.
Seafood: Generally Halal
Seafood is generally considered halal, allowing Muslims to consume most things from the sea.
Alcohol: Strictly Prohibited
Islam places a high value on the preservation of one’s mind and sanity. Therefore, alcohol and wine are strictly prohibited.
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Ramadan: A Month of Fasting
During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims observe a period of fasting, introspection, prayer, and Quran reading. This holy month emphasizes self-restraint or sawm, one of the five pillars of Islam. Between dawn and dusk, worshippers abstain from food, drink, sexual activity, and immoral behavior. After dusk, Muslims break their fast with a meal called iftar, shared with family and friends. Breaking the fast negates sawm, but the lost day can be made up with an extra day of fasting.
The Growing Halal Market
Since 1991, many mainstream manufacturers of various products, including soups, grains, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and prepared foods, have entered the halal market. Service providers like hotels, restaurants, airlines, and hospitals have also sought halal certification. These companies purchase halal-certified products, enabling them to export to most Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries.
Halal Certification
In Europe, several organizations have been established to certify halal products. However, a 2009 survey revealed inconsistencies in the European halal market, with certification organizations lacking a common definition of "halal" and agreed-upon control procedures and traceability.
In South Africa, most chicken products have a halal stamp issued by the South African National Halal Authority (SANHA). Their certified products range from water and snacks to meat-free products (which may contain non-halal ingredients). In Singapore, halal certification is managed by Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS).
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