A Useful Guide to Halal Food as per Islamic Law

 What is the meaning of Halal?

HALAL in general term means permitted, allowed, authorized, approved, sanctioned, lawful, legal, legitimate or licit. The word ‘Food for Muslims’ or ‘food certified Halal’ or ‘Halal’ means it can be had or permitted for eating and must be carry all the legal documents for verification

Prophet(s) Muhammad is reported to have said:
"Halal is clear and Haram is clear; in between these two are certain things that are suspected. Many people may not know whether those items are Halal or Haram. Whosoever leaves them, he is innocent towards his religion and his conscience. He is, therefore, safe. Anyone who gets involved in any of these suspected items, he may fall into the unlawful and the prohibited. This case is similar to the one who wished to raise his animals too close to a restricted area, so that the animals may step into that area. Indeed for every landlord there is a restricted area. Indeed the restriction of Allah are the Haram." (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

For a product to be Halal(lawful) for Muslim consumption all its ingredients should be Halal. Follow the following list:

1. Read the ingredients on label carefully. Ingredients are listed according to the amounts present.

The first ingredient listed is present in the largest amount.

2. Identify the Halal/Haram/Mushbooh status of each ingredient using this guide.
3. Search the ingredient name in the list and its status will be next to it.
4. If all ingredients of a product are Halal, the product is fit for Muslim consumption.
5. If any of the ingredient is Haram, the product should not be consumed.
6. If any ingredient falls under Mushbooh category avoid this product, as the Prophet has advised us to avoid doubtful matters. This ingredient could come from a Haram source. To find out the status of this ingredient you should write or call the manufacturer of the product

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Reasons that Deprive or Reduce Rizq (Sustenance) In Islam

Following are the various Reasons that Deprive or Reduce or Decrease Rizq (Sustenance) In Islam. One must avoid these reason and also guide others for not doing these. May Allah increase the Rizq (Sustenance) in abundance in all our lives. Ameen

1. To eat without washing the hands.

2. To eat without covering the head.

3. To eat in the dark.

4. To eat and drink whilst sitting at the doorstep.

5. To eat near the deceased.

6. To eat without bathing after sexual intercourse or a nocturnal emission.

7. To delay eating after the food has been served.

8. To eat on a bed without laying a dining-mat.

9. To eat on a bed whilst you are sitting by the headboard and the food is served towards the direction where you place your feet (at the time of sleeping).

10. To bite off the bread instead of breaking it with the hands (those who eat burgers should also take care).

11. To use broken clay or porcelain plates, cups etc. (It is Makruh to drink water, tea etc. from the side of a cup that is chipped. Do not use the plates, cups etc. that are cracked as there are many harmful germs and bacteria that may be embedded within the cracks and may cause deceases).

12. Not to clean the used plates, pots etc.

13. To wash the hands in the container used for eating.

14. To swallow food-particles stuck between the teeth after removing them by dental floss or toothpick etc.

15. To leave the plates, glasses etc. used for eating uncovered. One should recite Bismillah and cover them because if left uncovered, calamities descend into the food and drink and spoil them, causing illness.

16. To throw bread at such places where it would be disrespected or trampled by people.

17. To sleep in excess. (This can also cause ignorance).

18. To sleep naked.

19. To urinate shamelessly. (Those that urinate in public on roadsides should pay heed).

20. To be lazy in picking up fallen crumbs or bits of food from the dining-mat.

21. To burn the peel of an onion or garlic.

22. To sweep one’s home with clothes.

23. To sweep at night.

24. To leave trash (garbage) inside the home.

25. To walk ahead of the Mashaikh (scholars and saints).

26. To call parents by their names.

27. To clean the hands with mud or sand.

28. To stand whilst leaning on a side of the door.

29. To make Wudu in the lavatory.

30. To sew clothes etc. whilst wearing them.

31. To wipe one’s face with the clothing one is wearing.

32. To leave spiders’ webs in the home.

33. To be lazy in offering Salah.

34. To exit the Masjid early after offering Salat al-Fajr.

35. To go to the market very early in the morning.

36. To come back from the marketplace late.

37. To curse children. (Some women often curse their children. Then they also complain about the lack of blessings in sustenance).

38. To commit sins, specifically lies.

39. To put out an oil lamp by blowing.

40. To use a broken comb.

41. Not to make Du’a for one’s parents.

42. To wrap the turban around the head whilst sitting.

43. To put on the pants or pyjamas whilst standing.

44. To avoid performing good deeds.

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Excerpted from:
Ta'leem al-Muta'allim Pages 73-76
Sunni Bahishti Zaiwar, Pages 595-601

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Information on Islamic Halal & Haram Food

Rules about halal eating and drinking. What must a Muslim Eat? What is Forbidden for a Muslim in eating?

Allah says in the Qur’an, “ O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allâh, if it is indeed He Whom you worship.” (Al-Baqarah 2:172)

"O People, eat from the land what is permitted & good & do not follow in the footsteps of Shaitan, for he is an open enemy to you."
(Al Baqarah, 2:168)

Halal

Muslims are allowed to eat what is "good" (Qur'an 2:168) - that is, what is pure, clean, wholesome, nourishing, and pleasing to the taste. In general, everything is allowed (halal) except what has been specifically forbidden.

1) - Plants, fruits, vegetables and grains: All of these can be eaten as long as they are not harmful and poisonous to human beings.

2) - Living Animals : Divided into three:
A- Sea Animals
B- Land Animals
C- Birds

A- Sea  Animals

Only Fishes having scales are allowed. Other sea creatures such as sharks, turtles, whales, lobsters and crabs are Haraam. Prawns and Shrimps can be eaten. Only alive fishes removed from water is treated as Halal no matter who and how you catch it

B- Land Animals

Allah has permitted the eating of some animals and forbidden other animals. The first five verses of Surah Al Maidah (The Table Spread) give a brief information on halal and haram food

Domestic animals such as Camels, Cows, Goats and Sheep are permissible to eat. Wild Animals such as mountain sheep, wild cows and asses, gazelles and deer are permitted.

Animals that possess canine teeth or fangs aur forbidden from eating for a muslim such as dogs, rabbits, elephants and monkeys , snakes and tortoises.  Insects such as fleas and lice are also forbidden. However, locusts are permissible.

There are specific verses in the Holy Qur'an forbidding the eating of a pig.

Eating the meat of a horse, donkey or mule is Makruh (undesirable).

C- Birds.

There are two conditions for eating Birds

i- The body is covered with feathers.
ii- They are not classes as birds of prey (possessing talons).

How to distinguish between birds that are permitted or not

i- Every bird which, when in flight glides more than the flapping of its wings cannot be eaten.
ii- If a particular bird's movement is not known, then before eating one must check for the presence of one of the following:
a craw (where grain collects in the throat),
a gizzard (part of the stomach) or a projection (a fork-like extension on the bird's foot which performs the function of a talon).

Thus chickens, turkeys, pigeons and all small birds are permissible to eat. Even ostriches and peacocks are allowed.
Birds of prey like eagles, hawks and vultures are Haraam to eat. Crows, rooks and ravens should not be eaten either.

Other animals, which fly but are not, classified, as birds such as bats, bees and other flying insects are Haraam.

However, please note that in cases where one is in danger of dying through starvation, anything, including forbidden things, can be consumed to save life. This must be done as a last resort and only the absolute minimum must be eaten and must not be treated as permissible in Islam

Haram

Muslims are enjoined by their religion to abstain from eating certain foods. This is in the interest of health and cleanliness, and in obedience to God. In the Qur'an (2:173, 5:3, 5:90-91, 6:145, 16:115), the following foods and drinks are strictly prohibited by God

* Dead meat (i.e. carcass of an already-dead animal)
* Blood
* Flesh of swine (pork)
* Intoxicating drinks
* Meat of an animal that has been sacrificed to idols
* Meat of an animal that died from strangulation or blunt force
* Meat from which wild animals have already eaten

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Ingredient and status of halal and haram food in Islam

Glossary:

Halal: Halal is a Quranic term which means allowed or lawful. Halal foods and drinks are permitted for consumption by Allah-the Supreme Law Giver. Eating Halal is obligatory on every Muslim.

Haram: Haram is a Quranic term which means prohibited or unlawful. Haram foods and drinks are absolutely prohibited by Allah. Eating Haram is forbidden for every Muslim.

Mushbooh: Mushbooh is an Arabic term which means suspected. If one does not know the Halal or Harm status of a particular food or drink, such a food or drink is doubtful. A practicing Muslims prevents himself from consuming doubtful things.

Ingredient	Status
Acetic Acid	Halal
Alcohol	Haram
Ammonium Sulfate	Halal
Ammonium Chloride	Halal
Animal Fat	Haram (Depends)
Animal Shortening	Haram
Ascorbic Acid	Halal
Aspartame	Halal
Bacon (Pork), Swine	Haram
Benzoate/Benzoic Acid	Halal
BHA	Halal
BHT	Halal
Calcium Carbonate	Halal
Calcium Sulfate	Halal
Carrageenan	Halal
Cholesterol	Mushbooh
Citric Acid	Halal
Cocoa Butter	Halal
Collagen (Pork)	Haram
Corn Meal / Corn Starch	Halal
Corn Syrup	Halal
Dextrin / Dextrose	Halal
Dicalcium Phosphate	Halal
Diglyceride	Mushbooh
Diglyceride (plant)	Halal
EDTA	Halal
Enzyme	Mushbooh
Ergocalciferol	Halal
Ergosterol	Halal
Ethoxylated Mono-/Di Glyceride	Mushbooh
Fatty Acid	Mushbooh
Ferrous Sulfate	Halal
Fructose	Halal
Fungal Protease Enzyme	Halal
Gelatin / Kosher Gelatin	Haram
Glucose	Halal
Glyceride	Mushbooh
Glycerol / Glycerin	Mushbooh
Glycerol Stearate	Mushbooh
Glycogen	Mushbooh
Gum Acacia	Halal
Hormones	Mushbooh
Hydrogenated Oil	Halal
Hydrolyzed Animal Protein	Mushbooh
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein	Halal
Lard	Haram
Leavenings	Halal
Lecithin (commercial)	Halal
Malt	Halal
Malto Dextrin	Halal
Molases	Halal
Monocalcium Phosphate	Halal
Mono Saccharides	Halal
Monoglycerides	Mushbooh
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)	Halal
Nitrates / Nitrites	Halal
Nonfat Dry Milk	Halal
Oxalic Acid	Halal
PABA	Halal
Vegetable Oil	Halal
Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil	Halal
Pectic Materials	Halal
Pectin	Halal
Pepsin	Mushbooh
Phospholipid	Mushbooh
Phosphoric Acid	Halal
Pork	Haram
Potassium Benzoate	Halal
Potassium Bromate	Halal
Potassium Citrate	Halal
Propionate	Halal
Propionic Acid	Halal
Renin / Rennet	Mushbooh
Saccharine	Halal
Salt	Halal
Shortening	Mushbooh
Soy Protein	Halal
Soybean Oil	Halal
Sucrose	Halal
Tapioca	Halal
Tricalcium Phosphate	Halal
Vinegar	Halal
Whey	Mushbooh
Yeast	Halal

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What is Islamic Slaughtering or zabihah or simply halal meat.

 

Muslims are enjoined to slaughter their livestock by slitting the animal's throat in a swift and merciful manner, reciting God’s name with the words, "In the name of God, God is Most Great" (Qur'an 6:118-121). This is in acknowledgement that life is sacred, and that one must kill only with God's permission, to meet one's lawful need for food. The animal is then bled completely before consumption. Meat prepared in this manner is called zabihah, or simply, halal meat.

Some Muslims will abstain from eating meat if they are uncertain of how it was slaughtered. They place importance on the animal having been slaughtered in a humane fashion with the remembrance of God and gratefulness for this sacrifice of the animal's life. They also place importance on the animal having been bled properly, as otherwise it would not be considered healthy to eat.

Some Muslims living in predominantly-Christian countries hold the opinion that one may eat commercial meat (apart from pork, of course), and pronounce God’s name at the time of eating it. This opinion is based on the Qur'anic verse (5:5) that the food of Christians and Jews is lawful for Muslims.

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Why Pig Fat is not mentioned...

In nearly all the western countries including Europe, the PRIMARY Choice for meat is PIG. There are a lot of farms in these countries to ABreed this animal. In France alone, Pig Farms account for more than 42,000.

PIGS have the highest quantity of FAT in their body than any other Animal. But Europeans and Americans try to avoid fats.

Thus, where does the FAT from these PIGS go? All pigs are cut Inslaughter houses under the control of the department of food and it Was the headache of the department of food to dispose of the fat Removed from these pigs.

Formally, it was burnt (about 60 years ago). Then they thought of Utilizing it. First, they experimented it in the making of SOAPS and It worked.

Then, a full network was formed and this FAT was chemically Processed, Packed and Marketed, while the other manufacturing companies bought It. In the meantime, all European States made it a rule that every Food, Medical and Personal Hygiene product should have the ingredients Listed on its cover. So, this ingredient was listed as PIG FAT.

Those who are living in Europe for the past 40 years know about this. But, these products came under a ban by the ISLAMIC COUNTRIES at that Time, which resulted in a trade deficit.

Going back in time, if you are somehow related to South East Asia , you Might know about the provoking factors of the 1857 CIVIL WAR. At that Time, Rifle Bullets were made in Europe and transported to the Sub-continent through the Sea.It took months to reach there and the Gun powder in it was ruined due to the exposure to sea.

Then, they got the idea of coating the Bullets with fat, which was PIG FAT. The fat layer had to be scratched by teeth before using them. When the word spread, the soldiers, mostly Muslim and some Vegetarians, refused to fight.Which eventually lead to the Civil War. The Europeans recognized these facts, and instead of writing PIG FAT, They started writing ANIMAL FAT.All those living in Europe since 1970's know this fact. When the companies were asked by authorities From the MUSLIM COUNTRIES, what animal fat is it, they were told it Was COW and SHEEP Fat. Here again a question raised, if it was COW or SHEEP Fat, still it is HARAAM to MUSLIMS, as these animal were not SLAUGHTERED as per the ISLAMIC LAW. Thus, they were again banned. Now, these multinational companies were again facing a severe drought Of money as 75% of their income comes from selling their goods to Muslim Countries, and these earn BILLIONS OF DOLLARS of Profit from Their exports to the MUSLIM WORLD.

Finally they decided to start a coding language, so that only their Departments of Food Administration should know what they are using, And the common man is left lurking in the dark.Thus, they started E-CODES.

These E- INGREDIENTS are present in a majority of products of Multinational firms including, but not limited to -
TOOTH PASTE,
SHAVING CREAM
CHEWING GUM,
CHOCOLATE,
SWEETS,
BISCUITS,
CORN FLAKES,
TOFFEES,
CANNED FOODS,
FRUIT TINS,
Some medication Multi-vitamins

Since these goods are being used in all MUSLIM Countries indiscrimately, our society is facing problems like Shamelessness, rudeness and sexual promiscuity. So, I request all MUSLIMS or non pork eaters to check the ingredients Of the ITEMS of daily use and match it with the following list of E-CODES.

If any of the ingredients listed below is found, try to avoid It, as it has got PIG FAT; E100, E110, E120, E 140, E141, E153, E210, E213, E214, E216, E234, E252,E270, E280, E325, E326, E327, E334, E335, E336, E337, E422, E430, E431, E432, E433, E434, E435, E436, E440, E470, E471, E472, E473, E474, E475,E476, E477, E478, E481, E482, E483, E491, E492, E493, E494, E495, E542,E570, E572, E631, E635, E904.

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