What is Halal Meat
Many people talk about what they call "Halal Meat" without even knowing what it really means.
So what do muslims really mean by Halal meat?
Halal is an Arabic word meaning 'lawful or permitted'. The opposite of Halal is Haram, which means unlawful or prohibited.
For a Muslim to be able to eat the meat of an animal ie cow, lamb, chicken etc, God's name must be mentioned before killing the animal. This is done by saying, "In the name of God (Bismillah) & God is the Greatest (Allahu Akbar), by the person slaughtering the meat.
If this is not done, a muslim cannot eat that meat that has been slaughtered!
In general all foods are considered Halal (permitted) by muslims except the following:
Foods muslims cannot eat:-
Swine/pork and its by-products
Animals improperly slaughtered or dead before slaughtering
Animals killed in the name of anyone other than ALLAH (God)
Alcohol and intoxicants
Carnivorous animals, birds of prey and land animals without external ears
Blood and blood by-products
Foods contaminated with any of the above products
Foods containing ingredients such as gelatin, enzymes, emulsifiers, etc. are questionable because the origin of these ingredients is not known.
The word Halal doesnt only apply to food products but to all aspects of life and social context. One may hear mention of, "Halal money." What does this mean? For example, if a new religious center, school, hospital or any facility for social benefit is to be built, the funding must come from "clean" money or what is known as "Halal income." For example, money derived from gambling, the selling of alcohol, drug trafficking, illicit social vices, or any illegal activity is considered Haram or detrimental to society and therefore not acceptable or considered a Halal income.
This is but one brief example of Halal in a social context. Therefore, when one hears the word Halal outside the food industry, one must think of it as a way in conduct of all aspects of life and betterment of society. Halal certification of food also means a pure and more wholesome nourishment for mankind.
Verses from the Quran relating to Halal Meat
In determining whether a food is halal or haraam (forbidden), various verses of the Quran (ayat) are frequently referenced:
"He has 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 wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits - then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful"
(The Quran chapter 2:verse 173)
"Forbidden to you (your food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah; 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 transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (The Quran chapter 5:3)
"Say: I find not in the message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine, for it is an abomination or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah's. But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, thy Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (The Quran chapter 6:145)
"He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (The Quran chapter 16:115)