What is the meaning of ”Halal”?

”Halal” is an Arabic term meaning ”permitted” or ”lawful” in Islam. It refers to actions or things that are permissible under Islamic law, commonly used to describe what is allowed for Muslims to consume, use, or engage in. This can include eating, drinking, handling products, or participating in activities. For a food item, product, or service to be considered halal, it must adhere to the Islamic guidelines set forth in the Qur’an, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and clarified by Islamic jurisprudence.

What is the meaning of ”Haram”?

”Haram” is the opposite of halal, meaning ”forbidden” or ”illegal” under Islamic law.

Examples of haram products include:

• Pork and pork by-products.
• Charging or receiving interest (riba) on money or loans.
• Animals slaughtered improperly or those that die prior to slaughter.
• Gelatin and additives derived from pork.
• Animals not slaughtered in the name of God.
• Alcohol and intoxicating or harmful substances.
• Carnivorous animals and birds of prey.
• Vermin such as rats, centipedes, and scorpions.
• Animals generally regarded as detestable, such as lice, flies, larvae, and similar creatures.
• Amphibious animals, including frogs and crocodiles.
• Blood and blood by-products.

Conditions for Halal Certification

For food to be considered halal, it must meet the following criteria:

1. It must be free from prohibited substances or ingredients.
2. It must not come into contact with haram substances or products during production, processing, storage, or transportation.
3. Preservatives, dyes, flavorings, and additives used must be halal.
4. If the food contains meat or meat products, the meat must come from an animal slaughtered according to halal guidelines.

Halal Slaughter

A key criterion for meat to be considered halal is that the animal is slaughtered in accordance with Islamic tradition. The animal must not be self-killed, strangled, beaten unconscious, or killed by a fall, a horn, or wild animals. The slaughtering process involves making a deep incision across the neck, severing the trachea, esophagus, and carotid arteries without damaging the spinal cord.

Guidelines for Proper Halal Slaughter

• The animal must be healthy and free from injury.
• It should be treated with kindness and respect.
• The animal must be provided food and water and should be calm before slaughter.
• The slaughter must be performed by a trained Muslim, who maintains eye contact with the animal during the process.
• Both the animal and the slaughterer should face the Qibla (the direction of Mecca).
• Before the slaughter, the words ”Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” (In the name of God, God is greatest) must be recited, signifying that the act is done with divine permission.
• The slaughter knife must be sharpened before and after each use.
• The cut should be swift and done in a single, uninterrupted motion.
• The trachea, esophagus, and carotid arteries must be severed without harming the spinal cord.
• No animal should witness the slaughter of another.
• Only one animal should be slaughtered at a time, ensuring that each animal is handled gently and respectfully.
• The animal’s blood must be completely drained.
• According to the Hanbali and Maliki schools of Islamic law, slaughtering must be done without prior anesthesia. However, the Shafi’i and Hanafi schools permit prior anesthesia, provided that the animal does not die before the incision.

The Halal Economy in Islam

For a financial product or service to be considered halal, it must satisfy three fundamental requirements:

1. It must be free from riba (usury or interest), which is strictly prohibited in Islam.
2. It cannot involve transactions with companies or industries engaged in haram activities.
3. It must avoid ”Gharar” (excessive risk or uncertainty), which refers to transactions with unknown or uncertain outcomes. Islam prohibits risky or speculative dealings, particularly those involving significant ambiguity or hazard.