The concept of "Halal"
An overview with supporting evidence from our primary source texts and from modern science
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What is the meaning behind the terms "halal" and "haram"?
What is the meaning behind the terms "halal" and "haram"?
The Arabic word "halal" simply means "lawful" or "permissible". Upon hearing this term, many non-Muslims may often associate "halal" with certain foods that Muslims are allowed to eat. However the meaning of the word is more general and encompasses everything that a Muslim is allowed to do – both in their thoughts and actions.
These range from garments that can be worn, interactions between men and women, the way business is conducted to attitudes towards work and other people. All the aforementioned are regulated in accordance to Islamic legislation – the Shariah – whose purpose is to provide the moral code and religious law for all Muslims. It mainly draws from the primary sources – the Quran and Sunnah (prophetic traditions), followed by scholarly consensus and rulings by analogy.
The opposite of halal is "haram", meaning "unlawful" or "impermissible".
For Muslims, the principles of halal and haram are fundamental due to the belief that everything put on this earth by God is here for our benefit unless stated otherwise. In other words, the default position in Islam is that everything is halal or permissible unless Allah has specifically prohibited it according to the Quran and Sunnah.
Makrooh, Mushbooh and Tayyib
Makrooh, Mushbooh and Tayyib
"Makrooh", "mushbooh" and "tayyib" are terms, that most non-Muslims (and many Muslims alike) may never come across. "Makrooh" is an Arabic word which refers to something that is "disapproved" or "disliked", whilst "mushbooh" refers to something being "doubtful" or "questionable".
In the context of food, the terms "makrooh" or "mushbooh" do not necessarily mean that certain meal is unlawful and carries sin. However, it is generally better to avoid it nonetheless as there is no consensus about whether it is halal or haram.
On the other hand, "tayyib" roughly translates to "wholesome", "pure" or "fit for consumption". Islamic dietary laws require food to not just be halal but also tayyib. Food must be prepared in hygienic conditions to ensure that what we eat is not contaminated by harmful pathogens. Countries have their own food hygiene regulations that define what is fit for human consumption and so halal food, in order to be legally sold, must meet that particular country's food hygiene standards.
A few verses from the Quran pertaining to halal and harm
A few verses from the Quran pertaining to halal and harm
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Messengers, eat of what is pure wholesome and do good deeds; I know well what you do.
Believers, eat the wholesome foods We provide you and thank God, if you truly worship Him. The few things He has made unlawful for you are carrion, blood, pork, and animals slaughtered in any name other than God’s. However, if anyone is compelled by circumstance, not because he desires it or wishes to disobey God, then he commits no sin. God is the Forgiving, the Kind.
O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
Eat of the good, lawful things provided to you by Allah. And be mindful of Allah in Whom you believe.
Then eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.
O believers! Do not forbid the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.
O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful. Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?
O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.
Which foods are halal?
Which foods are halal?
As previously mentioned, all foods are generally deemed halal by default unless explicitly mentioned otherwise. Rulings for specific foods that are not mentioned are derived by scholars using evidence from the Quran and supporting Hadith literature within the framework given by the Shariah. The following all serve as examples of halal food (unless they come into contact with haram food or contain haram elements).
All plants and plant products (except poisonous ones)
Animals slaughtered in accordance to Zabiha, which is the prescribed method of slaughter OR animals slaughtered by Jews using the shechita kosher method*
These include: poultry, sheep, lamb, goats, cattle, camel, rabbit, non-predatory wild animals e.g. deer
All water creatures including fish, crustaceans and molluscs**
Eggs from from non-predatory birds
Gelatine from halal-slaughtered animals
*Kosher method is almost identical to the halal slaughter. Hence, Muslims are allowed to consume kosher meat as our Jewish cousins also believe and worship the same one true God.
**Although there is no prescribed method to slaughter water creatures, they must be prepared with the least amount of suffering and not be cooked alive.
Which foods are haram?
Which foods are haram?
The Quran explicitly names certain foods as haram and therefore prohibited to be consumed, such as pig, carrion and alcohol.* Other haram elements are derived from general principles equal to their halal counterparts. The reasons for prohibition vary from being dangerous to consume to poor decision making caused by intoxication of the mind in the case of alcohol. Other times, it's simply because our Creator said so and as Muslims we put trust in Him and the veracity of our scripture and faith. Below are given examples of haram foods and products.
Alcohol and other intoxicants
Pork and pig by-products
Improperly slaughtered animals or animals slaughtered in the name of anyone else but God
Carrion or dead animals
Blood and blood by-products, faeces, urine and placental tissue
Carnivorous animals and animals with fangs e.g. lions, cats, dogs etc.
Birds of prey (owls, eagles, etc.)
Almost all reptiles and insects
Poisonous animals
Foods contaminated with any of the above
Foods processed with anything considered filthy
*If a Muslim is forced to eat what is not permissible in order to avoid starvation, then he or she is absolved of sin. The preservation of one's life comes first.
Animal welfare in Islam
Animal welfare in Islam
In Islam, animals aren't seen merely as resources for humans to consume. Rather they are seen as creation of Allah, with their own lives and purpose that is valuable to God. Just like everything else that was created, animals depend on God and are organised as a part of a wider ecosystem. They are also believed to be in active worship to God in their own way.
Seen through the prism of islam, a good deed done to an animal is equivalent to a good deed done to a human. However, animal abuse is a sin, and so equally the same is true for any cruelty done to an animal.
In one hadith narration, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) tells us about a prophet from the past who burnt an ant colony because of one ant that bit him. God reprimands him for the act afterwards.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“One of the Prophets was bitten by an ant, so he ordered that the ant colony be burned. Then Allah revealed to him: ‘Because one ant bit you, you destroy one of the nations that glorify Allah?’”
Sunan Ibn Majah 3225Just as physical cruelty is forbidden, mental cruelty to animals is holds the same stance. In one occasion for example, the Prophet ordered his companions to return eggs that were taken from a mother bird's nest after it became distressed.
'Abdullah reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stopped in a place and then someone took a bird's eggs and the bird began to beat its wings around the head of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He asked, "Which of you has taken its eggs?" A man said, "Messenger of Allah, I have taken its eggs." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Return them out of mercy to the bird."
Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 382The message of kindness to animals is woven throughout the Quran and is shown through the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), whose concern for animals shines bright in the Hadith literature. He chastised anyone who mistreated animals while giving praise to those who showed kindness. The Prophet (pbuh) also introduced, at the time radical, prohibitions against the practice of cutting off the tails and humps of living animals for food.
Furthermore, it is forbidden for Muslims to strike or beat an animal as well as to brand an animal or mark it on the face. An animal that has been abused and mistreated is considered haram to consume.
Besides good husbandry in the food chain, the welfare of animals in Islam also extends to the keeping of pets. A Muslim who chooses to keep a pet must take on the responsibility of the animal’s care and well‐being. This means providing the animal with appropriate food, water, and shelter.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) described in one narration a story of a woman who abused her cat and was destined for hell after death because of this.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“A woman entered Hell because of a cat which she tied up and did not feed, or let it loose to eat of the vermin of the earth, until it died.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 4256Lastly, the hunting of animals for sport is also prohibited in Islam as the Muslims are only allowed to hunt for food. During the time of the Prophet (pbuh), hunting for sport was common practice and he took every opportunity to condemn the practice as animal cruelty.
More examples from Hadith literature regarding animal welfare
More examples from Hadith literature regarding animal welfare
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The following serve only as few examples of what the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, which is recorded in the authentic hadith literature. For more examples and details, please read the references at the bottom of the page.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A man felt very thirsty while he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst and came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, "This dog is suffering from thirst as I did." So, he went down the well again and filled his shoe with water and watered it. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him. The people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He replied: "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate (living being)."
In the narration of Al-Bukhari, the Prophet (ﷺ) is reported to have said: "Allah forgave him in appreciation of this act and admitted him to Jannah (heaven)".
Another narration says: "Once a dog was going round the well and was about to die out of thirst. A prostitute of Banu Israel happened to see it. So she took off her leather sock and lowered it into the well. She drew out some water and gave the dog to drink. She was forgiven on account of her action".
Bukhari and MuslimIbn ‘Umar told that he heard God’s messenger prohibit keeping an animal waiting to be killed without food or water or to imprison them or use them as targets.
Bukhari and MuslimThe worst of shepherds is the ungentle, who causes the beasts to crush or bruise one another.
MuslimFear God in these dumb (mute) animals, and ride them when they are fit to be ridden, and let them go free when… they [need to] rest.
Abu Dawud‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone kills a sparrow or anything greater wrongfully God will question him about killing it.”
Ahmad and al‐NasaiIt was narrated that 'Abdullah bin Ja'far said:
"The Messenger of Allah passed by some people who were shooting arrows at a ram. He denounced that and said: 'Do not disfigure animals (by using them as targets)."
Sunan an-Nasa'i 4440"A good deed done to a beast is as good as doing good to a human being; while an act of cruelty to a beast is as bad as an act of cruelty to human beings," and that: "Kindness to animals was promised by rewards in Life Hereafter"
Mishkat al-Masabih; Book 6; Chapter 7, 8:178Sahl bin 'Amr known as Ibn Al-Hanzaliyyah reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) happened to pass by a camel whose belly was sticking to its back (because of hunger), whereupon he said, "Fear Allah in respect of these mute animals. Ride them while they are fit, and slaughter them and eat their meat when they are fit."
Riyadus Saliheen, Chapter Etiquette of Traveling - Book# 8, Hadith 966It is related from Ibn ‘Abbās that the Messenger of Allah once saw a donkey which had been branded on its face and he said, ‘May Allah curse the one who branded it.’
MuslimHow exactly is an animal slaughtered in a halal manner?
How exactly is an animal slaughtered in a halal manner?
What makes the slaughter of an animal halal is mainly the mention of God's name during the process. Specifically what is said is "Bismillah Allahu Akbar" which translates to "In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest". This is done with a swift cut through the throat, severing the carotid and jugular vessels, gullet and windpipe and allowing the blood to flow out. The result of this method is a cleaner meat that is blood-free. Halal slaughter is almost identical to the Jewish Kosher method of slaughter as mentioned previously.
There are a lot of important rules that need to be followed before the actual slaughter takes place in order to ensure that the animal is treated as humanely as possible.
Rules for halal slaughter (Zabiha) of animals
Rules for halal slaughter (Zabiha) of animals
The following rules were taken from "The Halal Food Handbook" on page 20, section 1.3.2.
Animals should have a preslaughter rest, and be well fed and well looked after at the point of slaughter.
Animals that are slaughtered should be securely restrained, particularly the head and neck, before the throat is cut.
The slaughterman must be a mature and pious Muslim of sound mind who understands fully the fundamentals and conditions relating to halal slaughter.
The animal must have been allowed to feed and grow up on a natural vegetarian diet.
The animal must be alive, healthy, and free from any disease or injury at the time of slaughter
The animal skin or fur and bird feathers must be cleaned prior to slaughter and free from faeces, dirt or other unhygienic substances.
The animal must be fed and not be hungry or thirsty before slaughter.
The animal must not be slaughtered in front of other animals and should not see any blood.
The animal must be handled gently and individually, and the knife should not be sharpened in front of any animal before slaughter.
No stress or discomfort should be caused to any animal.
No stunning is allowed before slaughter.*
The knife used for slaughter must be very sharp and clean.
The Muslim slaughterman must first say, ‘In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest (Bismillah, Allahu Akbar)’.
The cut must be made in the correct anatomical site in the neck by cutting the two carotids, the two jugulars, the windpipe, and the gullet, but without gutting the spinal cord.
All blood should be allowed to flow from the carcass.
Animals should not be shackled and hoisted before bleeding.
Hoisting should be done only after the animal has lost consciousness.
Restraining equipment should be comfortable for the animal.
A specific time should be allowed till the animal ceases any movement.
Any processing can be done after slaughter.
*Irreversible stunning nullifies the halal slaughter as it effectively kills the animal before slaughter. Reversible stunning methods remain controversial and debatable, however the mainstream and majority view in Islam is not in favour of any kind of pre-stunning at all. See more about stunning below.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
‘Verily Allah has enjoined goodness to everything; so when you kill, kill in a good way and when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way. So every one of you should sharpen his knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.’
‘When one of you slaughters, let him complete it’, meaning that one should sharpen the knife well and feed, water, and soothe the animal before killing it.
‘Do you intend inflicting death on the animal twice – once by sharpening the knife within its sight, and once by cutting its throat?’
Sahih Muslim, Book 21, Chapter 11, Number 4810Halal meat vs conventionally stunned meat
Halal meat vs conventionally stunned meat
According to several studies which were also cited in The Halal Food Handbook, conventional stunning of animals before slaughter or as the main method of slaughter results in a variety of adverse effects. These can negatively affect the quality of meat or lower the safety of the process as there is a possibility of mis-stunning the animal.
Inadequate bleeding (meaning blood remaining in the animal) can lead to a disorder in the normal biochemistry of the animal muscle cells (increased meat pH and water). This increases the possibility of microorganisms growing, which spoil the meat and raise the risk of infectious diseases. Stunning also usually causes muscle bleeding, which can result in lower quality meat.
Contrary to the view that stunning eliminates pain for the animal, pre-stunning can induce severe pain. If the animal dies as a result, meat safety is reduced due to the increased presence of blood in the meat. The normal rigor mortis and glycolysis process in muscle cells is abnormal during stunning.
Summary abstract of Chapter 7. Recent Slaughter Methods and their Impact on Authenticity and Hygiene Standards
"The halal slaughter of animals has an important role in preventing infectious diseases and is considered one of the main reasons for the popularity of halal products even amongst non-Muslims. It has been shown that halal slaughter protects consumers from many diseases which occur as a result of slaughter methods that involve stunning. This chapter discusses the impact of recent slaughter methods on authenticity and hygiene standards. Some people believe that there are conflicts between the halal slaughter method and animal welfare standards. Islam teaches that animals are to be slaughtered according to the mindful and attentive way (prophetic method) taught by the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). It has been confirmed that the halal method of slaughtering is the best method for perfect bleeding. Furthermore, the halal method is of great importance for human health as it protects consumers from infectious diseases and has a significant impact on meat safety and hygiene."
An article from the Guardian newspaper
An article from the Guardian newspaper
Jewish and Muslim methods of slaughter prioritise animal welfare
"There is ample scientific evidence that religious slaughter is at least as humane as conventional mechanical slaughter. Research in the UK and the US, including by Dr Temple Grandin – one of the authorities on animal welfare – have supported this view. By contrast, many of the studies that suggest that religious slaughter causes unnecessary pain have been agenda-driven and methodologically flawed, stretching data in a distinctly unscientific fashion to unsupported conclusions. "
References and further reading
References and further reading
Codex Alimentarius guidelines for the use of the term “Halal”
Rahman S. A. (2017). Religion and Animal Welfare-An Islamic Perspective. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 7(2), 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani7020011
The Halal Food Handbook - Al‐Teinaz, Yunes & Spear, Stuart & Abd El-Rahim, Ibrahim. (2020). The Halal Food Handbook. DOI 10.1002/9781118823026.
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