In Arabic, ‘halal’ literally means permitted or allowed. The opposite of that is haram, which means forbidden. Halal is usually referred to in food, especially meats. Muslims are allowed to eat meat only if the animal has been ritually slaughtered. The correct term for that is “dhabheeha.” The slaughter must be executed by a Muslim, who must say “Bismillah” (In the name of God) and “Allahu akbar” (God is the greatest). The animal must not undergo any pain or torture, and the blood must be completely drained. Muslims are not permitted to eat pork and specific drinks like alcohol. Another non-halal food is gelatin, which is usually extracted from the skin of pigs. Halal is commonly compared to kosher, considering the similar restrictions.
What many might be unaware of is that halal does not only concern food, but it is a daily lifestyle derived from the Quran.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الأَرْضِ حَلالاً طَيِّبًا وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِين O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.
(2:168) يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِنْ كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He Whom ye worship. (2:172) وَ
كُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمْ اللَّهُ حَلالاً طَيِّبًا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي أَنْتُمْ بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ Eat of that which Allah hath bestowed on you as food lawful and good, and keep your duty to Allah in Whom ye are believers. (5:88)
Did you know what halal was? We headed to Downtown Disney in Los Angeles, California to find out how many people knew what it was!
Halal Product Certification:
Halal certification is a three-stop process for consumable and non-consumable products and food. The steps include the product, premise, abattoir, manufacturer, producer, distributor, and repacking. An application must be submitted along with documents and a fee, and then it must be sampled with an audit report, and concludes with a review and issuance of certification.
Who are the main participants in the halal food chain Slaughterhouses, wholesalers, butchers, bakeries, retailers, grocery stores, and supermarkets. Many restaurants, especially if Arabic or Mediterranean, offer Halal food.
Below are halal certification websites across the world:
United States
- US Halal Certification
- Islamic Services of America
- Islamic Food and Nutrition Council
- American Halal Foundation
Australia
Canada
Malaysia
United Kingdom