Halal

Halal is an Arabic term that translates to "lawful" or "permissible" in English.

While many people associate the word only with dietary laws, it actually covers a wide range of ethical practices. It governs how people conduct business and handle finance, such as the prohibition of usury, which is known as riba. Halal also encompasses broader ideas like social justice, fairness, and the humane treatment of animals. These principles are central to Islamic life and are derived from the Quran and the Sunnah. The Sunnah refers to the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad.

In the Quran, the concept of halal is often contrasted with haram, which means "forbidden" or "unlawful."

Islamic scholars use a system called jurisprudence, or fiqh, to interpret these guidelines. This classification can be quite complex. Some scholars use a system known as "the five decisions." These categories are mandatory, recommended, neutral, reprehensible, and forbidden. While many modern movements emphasize the simple split between halal and haram, the legal reality involves these more nuanced layers.

Dietary laws are one of the most visible aspects of halal. Generally, Islam considers all food to be halal unless it is specifically prohibited in the Quran or hadith. For instance, pork is categorically forbidden. Other prohibited items include blood and intoxicants like alcohol.

For meat to be halal, it must be produced and stored using equipment that has been cleaned according to shariah, which is Islamic law. Even non-food items like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals must be checked. This is because they may contain animal by-products that are not permissible to use on the body.

The preparation of meat involves specific ethical and ritual requirements. This process is known as dhabihah.

A Muslim must perform the slaughter by using a very sharp knife to make an incision. This cut must sever the front of the throat, the esophagus, and the jugular veins, but it must not cut the spinal cord. During the process, the person must say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar," which means "In the name of God, God is greatest." The animal should also be facing the qibla, the direction Muslims face during prayer. Animals that die from being beaten, falling, or being attacked by predators cannot be eaten.

Animal welfare is a major part of the halal philosophy. Muslims believe in showing kindness and compassion to animals throughout their lives. The goal of the slaughter method is to be swift and painless to minimize suffering.

There are different views regarding the use of stunning, which is a method to make an animal unconscious before slaughter. In the UK, 2011 data showed that a large majority of halal animals were stunned. For example, 84% of cattle and 88% of chickens were stunned. However, some countries like Denmark and Norway have banned slaughter without prior stunning to protect animal welfare.

Because of the growing global Muslim population, halal has become a massive international industry. It is no longer limited to small shops; it now includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and finance.

In 2013, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimated the global halal food market at $1.1 trillion. This accounted for about 16.6 percent of the total global food and beverage market. Certain regions see very high growth, such as the European Union, where the market is worth approximately $30 billion. In France, the halal market was estimated to be nearly twice the size of the organic food market in 2010.

To ensure these standards are met, companies often seek halal certification. In many Muslim-majority countries, this is handled by legal authorities. In other places, it is done voluntarily by non-governmental organizations for an annual fee. In the United States, several agencies provide these services, such as Halal Monitoring Services in Chicago. Some groups have raised concerns about how certification works. For example, a 2022 study suggested that more transparent methods are needed to ensure products truly meet all halal requirements. Despite these debates, the halal economy continues to expand globally.