Halaal
From Freepedia
| Part of the series on History of Islam |
| Beliefs and practices |
|
Oneness of God |
| Major figures |
|
Muhammad |
| Texts & law |
|
Qur'an · Hadith · Sharia |
| Branches of Islam |
| Sociopolitical aspects |
|
Art · Architecture |
| See also |
</span>
Halaal (حلال, halāl, halal) is an Islamic Arabic term for "permissible," similar to the Jewish term "kosher." The use of the term sometimes varies between Arabic-speaking Muslim communities and non-Arabic-speaking ones.
The Islamic method of slaughtering animals is known as Zabiha Halaal.
Contents |
Usage
Halaal has both a general and specific meaning. 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 behavior, speech, dress, conduct and manner.
In non-Arabic-speaking countries, the term is most commonly used in the narrower context of Muslim dietary laws, especially where meat and poultry are concerned, though it can be used for the more general meaning as well.
Dietary usage
Forbidden substances
A variety of substances are considered haraam (forbidden), including: pork, blood, and animals slaughtered in the name of anyone but God, carrion, carnivorous animals with the exception of most fish and sea animals, and all intoxicants (specifically alcohol). A section of the Muslim community believe that fish which do not carry scales as well as lobsters and crabs are considered haraam, while others believe that only those animals living in "both worlds" (land and water) are considered haraam; for example, frogs. Fish with scales are halaal if they are allowed to die on land (they cannot be beaten to death or cut apart while still alive).
Zabiha (method used to slaughter animals)
The halaal method of slaughtering animals, known as Zabiha, (excludes fish) is to cut through the large arteries in the neck with one swipe of a nonserrated blade and drain all blood and impurities from the animal, because as noted above, the consumption of blood itself is forbidden. During the draining of the blood, the animal is not handled until it has fully died. The action of slaughtering an animal is a ritual religious act that is preceded by the words "In the name of God, most gracious, most merciful" (بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ, bismillāh, i-rahman, i-rahīm). It is also common for the words "Praise be upon he who has made you suitable for slaughter [for the purpose of consumption] ("Sibhana man halalaka lil dabh") to be spoken immediately before slaugher instead.
Prior to the slaughter, the animal's eyes and ears are checked to ensure that the animal is healthy and suitable for slaughter. If the animal is deemed to be healthy, it is first given water to drink (in order to quench its thirst) and is then pointed towards Mecca to be slaughtered. Muslims consider this method of killing the animal to be cleaner and more merciful to the animal. Some animal rights groups contend that this causes unnecessary pain and suffering to the animal when compared to modern methods of animal slaughter, which involve stunning the animal before killing it. Islamic groups assure that the Islamic method of slaughter is the most quick method and causes the least pain to the animal, since the neck is severed immediately causing the animal to not feel pain afterwards. Stunning is forbidden in Islam since halaal slaughter requires the animal to be conscious and not impured by anaesthetics or intoxicating materials.
Problems facing Muslims in non-Muslim countries
Muslims living in non-Muslim countries face three major problems. The first is obviously the absence, or scarcity, of restaurants and grocery stores that offer halaal food, especially meat. A family dinner at a local restaurant becomes a problem when all of the meat available is not halaal. The second is the abundance of pork products used in Western cooking. Finding pork, ham, and bacon on the menu creates a problem. While Muslims will not order a pork dish, they may be concerned about "cross contamination"; for example, using the same kitchen knife to cut up pork and then cut up fish or beef. Pots and pans might be used continuously in a busy kitchen: a chef cooking fried rice with pork might then use the same pan for fried rice with chicken (with only a quick rinse of the pan or none at all). The third concern is the frequent use of alcohol, especially wine, in cooking sauces and cakes, though some contend that this is not a concern so long as the alcohol has been thoroughly burned off. There are also other concerns about food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) that might use enzymes derived from pig fat in the production process. It is very difficult to avoid such food aditives as they would not normally be declared on the menu.
In very desperate situations, such as when a Muslim faces starvation, dietary laws can be rested or ignored.
Comparison with Kashrut
There are some similarities between the Jewish dietary laws known as Kashrut and Muslim dietary laws. For example, both forbid all pork products, both prescribe certain methods for slaughtering animals and poultry (including the recital of a blessing to God over such animals before slaughter), and both forbid the consumption of blood and mandate that it be drained from animals after slaughter.
On the other hand, there are material differences. Islam forbids alcohol, while alcoholic consumption is allowed in kashrut (although there are strict rules that govern the kosher winemaking process). Muslims are allowed to eat the vast majority of seafood, while in kashrut all shellfish, molluscs, and selected other varieties of fish are forbidden. According to kashrut, any combination of dairy and meat products is forbidden, whereas this is considered halaal.
The Qur'anic verse 5:5 declares that the food of the People of the Book is halaal. Many interpret this reference to imply that the dietary laws are similar enough to (though less restrictive than) those regulating kashrut that Muslims can consume kosher meat and other food products when there are no halaal alternatives. Of course, kosher products that include alcohol among their ingredients are still haraam.
In certain instances, some Islamic authorities have permitted Muslims to rely upon kosher certification (particularly in regard to slaughtering) when halaal food is otherwise unavailable. This view is subject to debate, however, and is rejected by many, for a variety of reasons. Jewish authorities do not allow reliance upon halaal certification as a substitute for kashrut and many Islamic authorities argue the same for kashrut certification. Islamic groups advise using Kashrut certification only as a last resort.
See also
External links
Guides
- Zabihah.com Online halaal restaurant guide
- Halaal and Haraam (Islamic.co.uk) About halaal and haraam foods, ingredients, and behavior
Information
- Halaal: An explanation
- Muslim method of slaughtering
- The Quran and Hadith about Halal and Haram food
- Large list of Halaal-related concepts
- Why Halaal? A scientific proof
- Answering criticism of the concept
- Answering criticism
