Halal 101:
Where it all begins
Halal, it is a way of life
Article by Rohaizad Hassan
Since the beginning of time, no Prophet of God has been given the commandment since Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) to practice what we have today, in this instance, Halal, mainly, how we eat and drink. While Halal principles have been in practice for over 1,400 years, during the inception of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ peace be upon him) conveying the messages of the Quran, only in the past three decades, Halal products achieved significant global recognition. The world's population is forecasted to expand by 32% in the upcoming decades, with the Muslim population growing at twice the rate of non-Muslims due to higher fertility rates. According to the Pew Research Centre, the Muslim population is anticipated to increase by 70%, rising from 1.8 billion in 2015 to nearly 3 billion by 2060. This demographic surge has brought substantial opportunities to Halal products and services.
At the end of this article, readers may recognize that Halal food and beverages are significant to Muslims' beliefs and how they also impart values to non-Muslims. Halal represents a way of life guided by Islam's traditions, which follow scripture and authoritative texts.
1. Where it all begins: Quran and Hadith
The Quran (القرآن) is the holy book of Islam, the final revelation to humankind. Muslims believe it to be the literal word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) through the archangel Gabriel (Jibril). It has been preserved through memorization and recitation by the companions or Sahabah (صحابة) and millions of Hafiz (حافظ) in its original form since the time of Muhammad ﷺ. The Quran serves as the primary source of guidance for Muslims in matters of faith, law, and daily life.
Quranic Guidance on Halal
Several verses of the Quran clearly explain what is considered halal and haram. Several verses emphasize the importance of consuming what is lawful and good and avoiding what is prohibited. The Arabic term for "Halal" is حلال. In the Islamic context, "Halal" means "permissible" or "lawful." It refers to anything that is allowed under Islamic law, especially concerning food, drinks, and other consumables. Unlike Halal, Haram means "forbidden" or "prohibited". It refers to foods and drinks that Muslims are not allowed to consume, such as pork, alcohol (khamr), and improperly slaughtered animals.
Quran 5:3: "Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah...". - This verse lists specific forbidden items, illustrating the boundaries of what is permissible.
Hadith Guidance on Halal
The Hadith are the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ peace be upon him) with God bestowed wisdom and knowledge upon him. Several Hadith further elaborate on the principles of halal.
Sahih Muslim (Authentic source): Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Verily, Allah is pure, and He accepts only what is pure..."
This Hadith emphasizes the purity and wholesomeness of what is considered halal.
Beyond its well-known use in dietary law, the term halal (حلال) encompasses a broader range of lawful acts and behaviors in Islam. Essentially, it refers to anything permissible or allowed according to Islamic law, such as lawful business transactions, relationships, etc. Sahih al-Bukhari (Authentic source): Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah made food lawful for you; but it is haram to consume what is lawful for others if you take it without right...". - This Hadith highlights the ethical considerations in consuming halal food, ensuring it is not unjustly taken.
2. Halalan Tayyiban: Lawful and Wholesome
The phrase Halalan Tayyiban (حلالا طيبا) combines the concepts of permissibility and purity. It reminds Muslims to seek not only what is lawful but also what is beneficial to their well-being.
Quran 2:168: "O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good (halalan tayyiban) and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy."
This verse emphasizes the significance of consuming what is lawful (halal) and ensuring that it is beneficial and wholesome (tayyib).
Ensuring Halalan Tayyiban: The Role of Food Safety
Halalan Tayyiban (حلالا طيبا) is a key Islamic concept that signifies food must be both permissible (halal) and wholesome (tayyib). Achieving this standard involves comprehensive food safety processes.
Compliance with Islamic Dietary Laws: Halal certification ensures ingredients and practices comply with halal standards, preventing contamination with haram substances. Proper slaughtering methods, including blessings and humane treatment, are essential.
Ensuring Wholesomeness and Quality: The tayyib aspect involves rigorous quality control to maintain purity and wholesomeness. Food safety processes help preserve nutritional content.
Preventing Contamination and Illness: Strict hygiene in production, handling, and storage prevents contamination. These measures reduce the risks of foodborne illnesses, protecting health.
Traceability and Transparency: Supply chain monitoring ensures that products meet Halalan Tayyiban standards from farm to table, building consumer trust and confidence in the halal and tayyib status of food.
Ethical and Environmental Considerations: Sustainable practices align with Tayyib principles, promoting good for the environment and society. Humane treatment and ethical farming practices ensure tayyib quality.
In conclusion, food safety processes are integral to maintaining the standards of Halalan Tayyiban, ensuring food is lawful, pure, and beneficial, in line with Islamic principles.
3. Islamic Jurisprudence
Islamic jurisprudence, also known as Fiqh, is the human understanding and practice of Sharia, or Islamic law. It covers a comprehensive system of law that governs not just religious rituals but aspects of day-to-day life in Islam.
Other than the Quran and Hadith as primary sources, Fiqh is also derived from:
Khilaf (خلاف): This term refers to a difference of opinion among scholars on various issues in Islamic law. It acknowledges that scholars may have differing views based on their interpretation of the Quran, Hadith, and other sources of Islamic law. Halal rules in this situation may vary to a certain degree depending on society and culture, but they follow the same doctrine. One example is Carmine, derived from insects, sparking different views among scholars.
Ijma' (إجماع): This term signifies consensus among the Islamic scholars on a particular issue. It is considered one of the primary sources of Islamic jurisprudence, alongside the Quran and Hadith. When scholars reach a consensus on a matter, it is generally considered a binding decision. Prohibiting pork and its by-products is an example of Ijma'.
Fatwa (فتوى): A fatwa is a formal ruling or interpretation on the point of Islamic law given by a qualified legal scholar, known as a mufti. Individuals or communities usually seek fatwas to address specific issues and provide guidance on acting according to Islamic principles. In many Islamic countries, the National Religious Body is responsible for discussing before a fatwa is issued to the public. Hence, any issue or challenge in the food industry can be resolved. One of the famous fatwas is the definition of alcohol, those that are intoxicated versus the one that is approved.
Qiyas قياس: Analogical reasoning, where new rulings are deduced based on the principles established by the Quran and Sunnah. One of the prominent Qiyas rulings in the halal industry involves the analogy related to the use of gelatin. Originally derived from pork, traditional gelatin is considered haram (forbidden). However, using Qiyas, scholars deduced that gelatin made from halal animals (those permissible to eat in Islam, such as cattle or fish) could be considered halal if the source and processing methods comply with Islamic dietary laws.
Maqasid al-Shariah مقاصد الشريعة, or the objectives of Islamic law, aim to ensure the welfare and well-being of humanity through five essential goals:
Protection of Religion
Protection of Life
Protection of Mind
Protection of Progeny
Protection of Wealth
These objectives work together to create a just, balanced, and harmonious society where individuals can lead fulfilling lives by Islamic principles. Read more on Maqasid Shariah, an article by HiQ Columnist, and readers can understand the relevance to Halal.
Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Allah made food lawful for you; but it is haram to consume what is lawful for others if you take it without right..."
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