ABCD of Halal Food

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To maintain a balance between the requirements of the body and soul, Islam has laid down simple dietary rules. Islam allows people to eat what is Halal (lawful) and Tayyab (good):

“O Mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! He is an open enemy for you.” (al-Qur’an 2:168)

For the food to be halal (lawful), it must meet the following criteria:

(1) The food must be earned / acquired lawfully;

(2) The food must conform to the Islamic dietary laws.

For the food to be tayyab (good), it must meet the following criteria:

(1) The food must be wholesome and nutritious;

(2) The food must be safe for consumption.

Every Muslim, therefore, has a responsibility to obtain and consume food which has been earned lawfully, which is halal -conforming to the Islamic dietary laws, and which is tayyab – wholesome, nutritious, and safe.

The basic principle established by Islam is the principle of natural usability and permissibility of things.

“It is He Who created all that is in the earth for you…” (al-Quran 2:29)

Allah, out of His immense mercy, has permitted people to consume most foods and drinks except those items which have been declared Haram (prohibited) by a Qur’anic verse or an authentic Hadith.

“….He (Allah) has explained to you what He has made haram for you…” (al-Quran 6:119)

Consequently, it is sufficient for a Muslim to know what Allah has prohibited and made haram, since what is not included in it, is permissible and halal. This rule of Shari’ah (Islamic Law) brings freedom for people to eat and drink anything they like as long as it is not haram.

There are only six categories of food which have been prohibited in Islam. For an easy understanding, it can be stated that, “Everything is halal except ABCD IS haram”.

A- Alcohol and all type of intoxicants drugs (al-Qur’an 5:90);

B- Blood – flowing or congealed (al-Qur’an 5:3);

C- Carnivorous animals with fangs and birds of prey with sharp claws (Hadith – Sahih Muslim);

D- Dead meat or carrion (al- Qur’an 5:3);

I- Food immolate unto idols (al-Qur’an 5:3)

S- Swine, and all products and ingredients derived from swine (al-Qur’an 5:3).

In order for a system to be pragmatic, there may be always exceptions to the rules. Islam has allowed the eating or drinking of unlawful foods and drinks under exceptional conditions (al-Qur’an 2:185).

A Muslim may, under the compulsion of necessity, eat a haram food in quantities, sufficient to remove the necessity and save himself from danger of death, provided there is no intention of disobedience to Allah (al-Qur’an 2: 173; 6: 145).

For practical reasons Islam allows exceptional permissibility of the unlawful (haram) with the following three pre-requisite.

(1) Acute Stress

(2) Bonafide intention

(3) Brief duration

The use or consumption of haram (unlawful) items is permissible only under an extreme state of necessity (in acute stress), provided the intention is not of transgression of Allah’s laws. The validity of the conditional provision of the exceptional permissibility of the unlawful remains only for the duration of the extreme state of necessity.

2 thoughts on “ABCD of Halal Food

  1. You can contact and inform GİMDES (Association for the Inspection and Certification of Food and Supplies) of Turkey. This NGO may help you reach the halal companies in Turkey. Email them here: irtibat@gimdes.org

  2. Dear Sir,

    Greetings from India Foodex Series!!!

    The largest forum of food products, retailing, import-export, processing and packaging technologies – International Food Exhibition, India Foodex 2018 will take place from 31st August 2018 to 2nd September 2018 at BIEC (Bangalore International Exhibition Center), Bangalore, India. We are pleased to inform you that the Exhibition will celebrate its 10th anniversary in next edition.

    The previous exhibition in 2017 witnessed participation from over 450 Indian and International companies from over 30 countries. The show had been appreciated by more than 35000 trade visitors and buyers from neighbouring countries.

    The ensuing edition, India Foodex 2018 will witness the launch of a new vertical that is “Global Halal Expo India 2018” in which highlight would be on foods based on Halal – the Islamic way of life. This event is likely to satiate the wishes of around 172 million strong Muslim population of India.

    Thus, this series of events will offer participants an opportunity to get acquainted with the latest trends, as well as create opportunities to expand cooperation and establish new business relationships that will boost more investments and introduce new products in the emerging Indian food markets.

    It would, therefore, be a great opportunity for “your company” to have a “Stall” at India Foodex 2018/Global Halal Expo India 2018” and showcase your comprehensive range of products among the visitors to the exhibition from all parts of India and neighbouring countries. As an exhibitor, you would be able to enjoy a significant brand visibility among large audience, and it would surely provide a huge networking platform and explore opportunities of business promotion.

    Please find enclosed herewith the Exhibition Brochure and Stall Tariff for your immediate reference. Kindly finalize your decision and let us know your requirement of space enabling us to provide you with available appropriate location for displaying your product/schemes.

    For any other information or clarification please feel free to contact us.

    Thanking you and looking forward to the pleasure of hearing from you soon.

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