halal
Halal Food
Halal means “permitted” in Arabic; it is the opposite of haram, or “forbidden.” These are key concepts in Islam with many ramifications for the daily life of a Muslim; one of the most visible expressions of these concepts may be found in Islamic dietary rules. Among those Qur’anic injunctions related to the consumption of food is the following:
“O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you. And be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship. He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.” (Surah 2.172-173, King Fahd trans.)
Accordingly, food items considered haram include pork and beasts of prey; further, the consumption of intoxicants such as alcohol is also haram. Islam prescribes a method by which animals may be slaughtered with minimal suffering. At the time of slaughter, the name of God is pronounced, symbolizing God’s role as creator and provider: such meat is considered halal.
Contemporary Muslim understandings of halal food rules do vary. Some Muslims believe that avoiding pork, pork lard, and alcohol and saying “bismillah” before eating are sufficient for food to be halal. Other Muslims insist on Islamically slaughtered meat and carefully check all product labels for haram ingredients. Other Muslims contend that these proscriptions are not limited to food, and will not wear perfume because of its alcohol content, or use soaps made from lard. In the American context, these proscriptions may be difficult to observe, as many goods contain pork by-products such as lard, or small amounts of alcohol. Numerous Islamic Internet sites post an article from the Muslim Consumer Guide which lists hidden sources of haram food, such as pork lard in the hamburger buns and apple
Halal means “permitted” in Arabic; it is the opposite of haram, or “forbidden.” These are key concepts in Islam with many ramifications for the daily life of a Muslim; one of the most visible expressions of these concepts may be found in Islamic dietary rules. Among those Qur’anic injunctions related to the consumption of food is the following:
“O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you. And be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship. He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.” (Surah 2.172-173, King Fahd trans.)
Accordingly, food items considered haram include pork and beasts of prey; further, the consumption of intoxicants such as alcohol is also haram. Islam prescribes a method by which animals may be slaughtered with minimal suffering. At the time of slaughter, the name of God is pronounced, symbolizing God’s role as creator and provider: such meat is considered halal.
Contemporary Muslim understandings of halal food rules do vary. Some Muslims believe that avoiding pork, pork lard, and alcohol and saying “bismillah” before eating are sufficient for food to be halal. Other Muslims insist on Islamically slaughtered meat and carefully check all product labels for haram ingredients. Other Muslims contend that these proscriptions are not limited to food, and will not wear perfume because of its alcohol content, or use soaps made from lard. In the American context, these proscriptions may be difficult to observe, as many goods contain pork by-products such as lard, or small amounts of alcohol. Numerous Islamic Internet sites post an article from the Muslim Consumer Guide which lists hidden sources of haram food, such as pork lard in the hamburger buns and apple