So… what is Halal?
Posted by anas on Feb 16, 2010 in Life | 7 commentsWhile I am on the topic of Halal food and the meaning of Halal there is another issue that I’ve learnt of after coming to the UK related to a food item being declared as Halal or not. Now there are atleast two Halal certifying authorities in the UK (that I know of) and both do not accept each other’s way of accredition.
One of them says that meat (for example of chicken) is halal only if it is slaughtered in the name of Allah and that it has to be alive and kicking at the time. However, normally the animals are stunned (low voltage shock) before being killed in UK and many other countries and that former group considers that those animals are not halal mainly because there is a doubt that the animal may die while being stunned. Another authority which certifies for halal meat considers the practice legal as it says, that such low voltage shocks cannot kill the animal and that slaughter while being stunned is therefore legitimate as long as its done in the prescribed way. Then there is another group which says that even if the recordings of Allah’s name are being played while the animal is slaughtered and not recited, it is fine. (This may sound funny, but its true. I was shocked too).
Those were the disputes within UK. Now lets come a bit to the Muslim world. Scholars from prominent institutes in the Arab world have issued fatwas that if the meat is not haram i.e. not pork and those sort, it is halal. And just recite Allah’s name before eating it, that’s fine. I was surprised at this too, but quite a large number of people follow this. And why not, when they have fatwas!
So the question really is…what is Halal? Personally, I don’t know. I’ve grown up listening that slitting the throat after mentioning Allah’s name is a necessity for permissible meat. Now, we don’t even have a consensus on this!
However, the verse I found in Quran that explains the issue is below.
Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than God; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, God is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful (5:3).
Now, all the opinions that I mentioned above are based on this verse. Its all too confusing. Who is right and who’s not. Personally, I go for alternative whenever in doubt, to be on the safe end.
Will dig more info on this soon inshAllah. Any legit source and opinions will be appreciated.
Well, forget the fatwas for just a moment
and just look at the verse.
and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than God
and invoking key general maanay kia hain? That you recite the name of Allah .. Why would a recording be played is something I don’t understand.. I mean, kia reason ho sakta hay?
Invoke kub kartay hain, slaughter kartay waqt
Then, about stunning. There is a hadith that means (not quoting exact words) that whenever you are in doubt, leave that thing. Meaning, that if the animal is stunned, (you’re not SURE it’s completely alive and kicking – it may die in the process), so better you leave this thing.
What’s left?
The animal on which Allah’s name has been recited on… while it is being slaughtered 
…[not while its been eaten'..] Im telling you. The latter opinion stems from comfort factor. There is a lot of convenience in buying just any meat and burger from shops and saying Bismillah and eating it .. :S
But I really think that we should opt for something at which our hearts are mutmaain — otherwise, we should leave that thing. It’s not worth eating something doubtful, if the alternative means we have to search more and sweat more — or survive on veggies more
Hope that helps.
The point really is that when learned scholars present their opinions, one is forced to look at it with some conviction. What you’re saying is the generally observed by the people who come from the subcontinent region. A certain section of the Arab world follow their own scholars while another group follow their own, citing the interpretation by their scholars as the reason. And that is exactly where the confusion arises. Who is right and who’s not, in a case where all parties have learned men. What I am really looking for is when the ayah is seemingly straightforward, why is there not a consensus among the Muslim world on this issue? There has to be logical explanation!
Lets all go veggie and stop eating rotting flesh.
Or maybe get serious?
I ask myself the same questions time and again so I’m gonna follow this post to see if I can get some answers.
Watch “Food Inc.” and you’ll stop eating all together.
thank you’s
Obviously i know a lot of people who would eat non-veg as long as its not pork giving the justification that there are fatwas to support that practice. I find that quite absurd and would avoid that as long as I can. Being a ‘nearly’ vegetarian helps anyway. But I generally wouldnt mind eating anything which is Halal certified because it is obviously very very difficult to ensure that watever we are eating is actually halal. I am sure we wouldnt be able to eat non-veg even in countries like Pakistan as well if we dig so deep. Frankly speaking, I am never sure if the cow or goat was actually slaughtered wen it was alive or it simply died because of age or something.