Halal Food

Halal fast food succeeds

National Catholic Reporter, May 12, 2006

ISELIN, N.J. -- There's just one place in North America where an observant Muslim can follow Jared's diet--the two-sandwich-a-day plan that helped Subway pitchman Jared Fogel lose 245 pounds. The Subway restaurant that adheres to Islamic restrictions is off Route 27 in Iselin, N.J. The eatery is indiscernible from other Subways, except for a neon green sign in the window spelling out "Halal," the Islamic equivalent of kosher.
In two years she has served halal food at her Subway, Ruhila Khan has built a following from all over the tri-state area. The success can be seen in the Sales Volume awards on the wall behind the register. "I don't have enough space to hang up all of them," Khan said, smiling. "I did something for Allah, and he has blessed us."
New Jersey has one of the largest Muslim populations in the country.

COPYRIGHT 2006 National Catholic ReporterCOPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group


halal food

Islamic Halal Food

Islamic Halal Food

Halal (حلال, halāl, halaal) is an Arabic term meaning "permissible". In the English language it most frequently refers to food that is permissible according to Islamic law. In the Arabic language it refers to anything that is permissible under Islam.
'Halal' the Word
The use of the term varies between Arabic-speaking communities and non-Arabic-speaking ones.
In Arabic-speaking countries, the term is used to describe anything permissible under Islamic law, in contrast to haraam, that which is forbidden. This includes behaviour, speech, dress, conduct, manner and dietary laws.
In non-Arabic-speaking countries, the term is most commonly used in the narrower context of just Muslim dietary laws, especially where meat and poultry are concerned, though it can be used for the more general meaning as well . This dichotomy of usage is similar to the Jewish term "kosher".
Quranic Verses relating to Halal
In determining whether a food is halal or haraam (forbidden), various verses of the Quran (ayat) are frequently referenced:
"He hath 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" Quran 2:173
"Forbidden to you (your food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on wish 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; than 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" Quran 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" Quran 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" Quran 16:115
The following verses are oft-cited when referring to alcohol and Islam:
"Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?"Quran 5:91
"They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: "That which is beyond your needs." Thus Allâh makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought."Quran 2:219
Varying Forms of Halal
Muslims vary on what is required for food to be considered "halal".
Dhabiĥa Halal
Adherents to this philosophy maintain that in order for food to be considered halal, it must not be a forbidden substance and any meat must have been slaughtered according to traditional guidelines set forth by the Sunnah, known as dhabiĥa. This is the strictest definition of halal.
First type of "Bismillah" Halal
Some believe that the guidelines of dhabiĥa do not necessarily need to be followed and reciting "Bismillah al Raĥman Al Raĥim" (In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful) immediately preceding consumption renders the meat permissible. People who adhere to this type of halal generally do not partake in the consumption of forbidden substances.
Defenders of this method declare that the Quran does not dictate that God's name must be taken prior to slaughtering the animal, it merely says in multiple places:
And eat not of that whereon Allah's name hath not been mentioned..Quran 6:121
They also narrate a hadith in which Prophet Mohammed states "Mention Allah's name on it and eat..." upon being questioned on how to deal with food that is not verifiably dhabiĥa.
Critics of this method claim that by only acknowledging the Quran and not the Sunnah, which generally prescribes dhabiĥa, people using the "Bismillah" method are ignoring half of the religion. They also accuse defenders of this method of misinterpreting and altering hadith(s) to suit their own purposes.
Second type of "Bismillah" Halal
Adherents to this type of "Bismillah Halal" generally believe that any food, whether or not it is a forbidden substance, becomes halal once "Bismillah al Raĥman Al Raĥim" (In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful) is recited over the food. Generally, this phrase is recited immediately prior to consumption.
It is believed by many[citation needed] that this method of making food halal does not adhere to Islamic guidelines, largely because it contradicts the Quranic verses on forbidden substances.
Halal And Kosher
Some believe that the terms halal and kosher can be used interchangeably.[citation needed] Although they bear significant resemblence, most Muslim authorities believe they are not interchangeable.. More information can be found at Comparison of Dhabiĥa Halal and Kashrut.
Non-Pork Halal
Some believe that as long as a substance is not pork, it can be considered halal.[citation needed] This is contrary to all authoritative interpretations of the Quran, more specifically, the Quranic verses on forbidden substances
Explicitly Forbidden Substances
A variety of substances are considered haraam (forbidden) as per various Quranic verses:
Pork, or any pig-based products
Blood
Animals slaughtered in the name of anyone but Allah
Carrion
Carnivorous animals with the exception of most fish and sea animals
And all intoxicants (specifically alcohol)
There is some disagreement among Muslims regarding sea food, especially predatory sea creatures. IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America) states this regarding the opinion of Islamic scholars
All are in agreement that fish with scales are halal
Most agree that all fish are halal
Most agree that frogs are haraam
Some believe that fish found dead are haraam
Some believe that only those sea creatures resembling halal land creatures are halal
Dhabiĥa (method used to slaughter animals)
The conventional method of slaughtering all animals excluding fish and most sea-life is known as dhabiĥa (ذَبِيْحَة), often pronounced by non-Arabs as zabiha. It involves severing the major arteries in the neck of the animal, as well as the esophagus and trachea with one swipe of a nonserrated blade.
Criticisms of Dhabiĥa Halal
Some object to dhabiĥa halal and believe that it causes needless suffering to the animal which is not stunned before slaughter.
Advocates for dhabiĥa halal contend that this method of slaughter is actually more humane than the modern method of stunning before slaughter.
For more detail, see dhabiĥa and animal rights controversy.
Problems Following dietary laws in non-Muslim countries


Australian halal certificate for chocolate.
Depending on which definition of halal a Muslim chooses to adhere to, and the strictness with which the person chooses to adhere to it, living in a non-Muslim country can pose minimal or great difficulty.
Dhabiĥa Halal
Dhabiĥa halal is the relatively difficult to adhere to in a non-Muslim country. This is for four reasons:
Depending on the presence or absence of a significant Muslim population in the area, finding grocery stores, meat stores, and restaurants which serve/sell dhabiĥa halal foods can be extremely difficult.
The abundance of pork and non-dhabiha meats at restaurants presents a rather difficult problem to overcome. While the person will not order a non-dhabiĥa halal dish, there is a concern about "cross-contamination". This is likely to occur when the dhabiĥa halal dish is prepared with the same cooking tools as other non-dhabiĥa halal dishes. Food and juices from the two dishes are likely to be exchanged, technically rendering the dhabiĥa halal dish as haraam.
The third reason that followers of dhabiĥa halal find it difficult is because of the presence of non-dhabiĥa ingredients. Many apparently meat-free recipes, and even desserts, contain pork, gelatin, or other non-conforming substances. There is also a concern in the Muslim community about food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) that may use enzymes derived from pig fat in the production process. It is very difficult to avoid such food additives as they are widely used and are also not declared on a restaurant menu.
The final difficulty pertaining to dhabiĥa halal is the frequent use of alcohol, especially wine, in cooking. It is largely used in sauces and cakes, and is also present in ingredient vanilla extract. Some contend that this is not a concern, so long as the alcohol has been thoroughly burned off in the cooking process.
Since the turn of the century, there have been efforts to create organizations such as the Muslim Consumer Group that certify food products as halal for Muslim consumers.
Comparison with Kashrut
There is a great deal of similarity between the laws of Dhabiĥa halal and Kashrut and there are also various differences. More information can be found at Comparison of Dhabiĥa Halal and Kashrut.
Debate on Permissibility of Kashrut
Whether or not Muslims can use kashrut standards as a replacement for halal standards is an ongoing debate.
Halal products in North American fast food
In those areas featuring significant Muslim communities, many restaurants, including fast food chains, either offer halal options or adhere only to halal guidelines. This may also include offering certified halal foods such as dairy products, in addition to halal meat. The definition of halal adhered to can vary from restaurant to restaurant.
In Dearborn, Michigan, home to one of the largest Muslim and Arab populations in the United States, a number of fast food chains like McDonald's introduced halal chicken nuggets
In the Greater Toronto Area a number of Popeye's restaurants use only halal chicken[citation needed]
There have been some recently passed laws in the United States to make the selling, distribution, and/or production of food that has been labeled "Halal", although it doesn't meet Islamic dietary standards, to be illegal, similar to laws that protect Kosher foods.

Islamic Halal Food

Islamic Halal-Divene Law & Diverse Food

Halal - Divine Law & Diverse Food

Do you ever contemplate just exactly what products constitute that sandwich before you eat it? Sure, you see a slice of mature English cheddar, a bunch of watercress leaves and a smear of whole-grain mustard. But what exact ingredients compose that cheese, and what foods and chemicals have come into contact with that mustard in the manufacturing and bottling processes? Most of us do not consider our food's origins to this degree, but Muslims who wish to eat in accordance with the Islamic Dietary Laws must scrutinize their food as such.
According to the Islamic Dietary Laws, there are three categories of food for Muslims: halal, haram, and mushbooh. Halal is a term describing foods that are lawful for Muslims to consume, according to Islamic dietary laws found in the Quran, Hadith (sayings of the prophet Muhammad) and in the fiqh (jurisprudence) of the Muslim jurists. Haram foods are unlawful and prohibited for Muslims, while mushbooh foods are questionable, and therefore should be avoided.
All foods are halal except for those that are explicitly haram or mushbooh. Haram foods include alcohol and intoxicants, lard, pork products and pork by-products, animals improperly slaughtered or dead before slaughter, animals killed in the name of anyone but Allah, carnivorous animals, birds or prey, blood and blood by-products, and foods contaminated with any of the above products. The laws surrounding most foods are simple: either the food is allowed, or it isn't, and most of the time, it is.
The laws wax complex, however, when it comes to meat. The aforementioned meats are not allowed, but there is an etiquette concerning meat that is allowed. According to Mohammed Hocine Benkheira, in his article about Islamic taboos and meat in the October-December 2001 edition of Slow Food, domestic animals are superior to game, and fish, rabbit, and goat meat are undesirable. Furthermore, "all carnivores are forbidden, whether quadrupeds or birds, as well as - except in special circumstances - rodents, reptiles, insects except the Acridoidea, or grasshoppers, and equine species except horses, which can theoretically be consumed"(70). Fish is condemned by many Muslims to be indigestible and even harmful, but if nothing else, it is sometimes embarrassing to eat. The goat, too, should be avoided, as it is attached to a hefty load of negative lore. According to Benkheira, the 10th century writer Qutayba wrote that the goat meat was infamous for causing depression and forgetfulness, and stimulating the production of black bile.
The grey area, mushbooh food, is not explicitly outlawed, but is dodgy at best. It includes mono- and di-glycerides (emulsifiers), gelatine, and enzymes. These products are questionable because the origin of some constituents may be unknown, possibly containing products from unacceptable animal sources.
Foods that are definitely halal are plentiful and include: milk, honey, fish, plants (non-intoxicating), fresh or naturally frozen vegetables, fresh or dried fruits, legumes and many nuts (peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc.), and grains such as wheat, rye, barley, rice, oats, etc. Cows, sheep, goats, deer, chickens, ducks, game birds, and such meats are halal as long as they are zabihah (slaughtered according to Islamic rites). Although this list is inclusive, Muslims must be careful when eating out, as many commercial food products contain haram products. However, few fast food chains offer some halal items such as chips, various desserts, soft drinks, some sandwiches and salads. There are plentiful specialty stores and restaurants around London that specifically cater to Middle Eastern tastes and halal needs.
It might seem like a formidable hassle to conform to these standards (for instance, many toothpastes and bottled flavour extracts are haram because of their alcoholic contents), but it is necessary to realize that this "list of don'ts" is not arbitrary. There are significant religious and practical reasons for the abstention of all things haram for Muslims. The Quran contains several passages that warn against intoxication, which befogs the mind. The impairment of reason not only has harmful effects on personal health, it can have negative social and familial implications. It is also stated that for a Muslim to stay holy and to have his or her prayers heard, s/he must stay innocent in the eyes of God by keeping with halal foods. In the Quran, Muhammad urges Muslims to partake of the "good things" that have been provided for them.
There are also practical reasons for avoiding haram products. The halal slaughtering process (zabihah) consists of killing the animal quickly with a sharp knife while the name of Allah is muttered. The quick slaughter ensures that the animal's death is not filled with unnecessary pain. Animals which are dead before slaughter are avoided for health reasons-the animal may have succumbed to disease or poisoning. Also, leaving the meat provides food for other animals on the food chain and gives the animal's owner incentive to take care of the animal, so he may properly sell the animal and earn a living. The animal, then, is protected from neglect. Pork, too, is avoided for health reasons because it can host disease, most notably the bacteria trichina.
The Islamic Dietary Laws are not static; as new products are introduced and more information on foods becomes available, the laws change. The Muslim Food Board works on certifying appropriate foods as halal and determining which foods are haram and mushbooh. The process of investigation is complex; the Board investigates all contents of products, the cleaning procedures of production and packing equipment, and conducts site audits of all production/processing sites to verify compliance with the Islamic Dietary Laws. Every aspect of a product is researched-from its raw ingredients to trace ingredients that encounter a product in the manufacturing and packaging processes.
As countless foods are considered permissible under the Islamic Dietary Laws, a halal diet is by no means doomed to be monotonous. On the contrary, halal food can be nutritious, flavourful and diverse. Halal food varies across the map, as each region has its favourite traditional recipes.
For halal recipes such as chewy naan, entrees like Beef Tikka, dal, spice mixes and chutneys online, consult http://www.desicookbook.com. Indian restaurants-offering foods characterized by fiery chiles, the aromatic spices coriander, cardamom and saffron, and cool flavours such as mint and yoghurt-abound in London. See Radha Kapoor-Sharma's discussion of a prized Indian condiment, chutney. For a fascinating discussion of the less familiar but equally gratifying fare of Yemen, see "The Fiery Welcome" by Mario Speranza and Monica Morello. The halal Middle Eastern staple of falafel has many variations-the spicy filling sometimes made with fava beans, and other times with chickpeas. Falafel is delicious and widely popular, discussed in Philip Sinsheimer's article. What's for dessert? The sharp, slightly sweet tahini product, halva, which ranges from crisp and airy-light to dense and spreadable is a good choice. See Clarissa Hyman's discussion of the famous Middle Eastern dessert and snack.

Islamic Halal Food

ISLAMIC HALAL FOOD IN QURAN

ISLAMIC HALAL FOOD IN QURAN

Al-Baqara (The Cow) (Arabic) - Recite2:168 O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, Lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one, for he is to you an avowed enemy.

Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread) (Arabic) - Recite5:4 They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food). Say: lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah. eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it: and fear Allah. for Allah is swift in taking account.

Al-An'am (The Cattle) (Arabic) - Recite6:118 So eat of (meats) on which Allah's name hath been pronounced, if ye have faith in His signs.

Al-An'am (The Cattle) (Arabic) - Recite6:146 For those who followed the Jewish Law, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof, and We forbade them that fat of the ox and the sheep, except what adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with a bone: this in recompense for their wilful disobedience: for We are true (in Our ordinances).

The Bee (Arabic) - Recite16:14 It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful.

The Bee (Arabic) - Recite16:5 And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat.

The Believers (Arabic) - Recite23:19 With it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them have ye abundant fruits: and of them ye eat (and have enjoyment),-

The Believers (Arabic) - Recite23:21 And in cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: from within their bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat;

The Believer, The Forgiver (god) (Arabic) - Recite40:79 It is Allah Who made cattle for you, that ye may use some for riding and some for food;

Ornaments Of Gold, Luxury (Arabic) - Recite43:73 Ye shall have therein abundance of fruit, from which ye shall have satisfaction.

The Angels, Orignator (Arabic) - Recite35:12 Nor are the two bodies of flowing water alike,- the one palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, and the other, salt and bitter. Yet from each (kind of water) do ye eat flesh fresh and tender, and ye extract ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the Bounty of Allah that ye may be grateful.

HALAL FOOD