Islamic Dietary Laws and Restrictions
Halal and haram are two Arabic words which are used extensively and broadly by many Muslims. Halal refers to what is permissible, while haram refers to what is expressly prohibited or forbidden in Islam.
alcohol and other intoxicants
pork or pork by-products
blood or blood by-products
animals which have not been slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines
carrion (animals which are found dead)
carnivores or birds of prey
animals killed by falls, blunt trauma or strangulation
animals killed by other wild animals
Wild non-carnivorous animals and birds which are hunted for food may be killed by other humane methods. Hunting purely for sport, however, is not allowed.
Halal Meat (Zabihah)
Islam has strict zabihah guidelines for slaughtering animals in a humane and healthy manner. Both the slaughter method itself and the resulting halal meat are referred to as zabihah. Although zabihah meat is widely available at Islamic butcher shops, there are times when Muslims may perform zabihah themselves, particularly at the annual Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Adha.
Zabihah involves invoking the name of Allah (God) before making a swift incision in the animal's throat. The cut, when performed correctly, is not painful and yields healthier meat because it allows for rapid draining of the blood.
Therefore, many Muslims in the West seek out halal shops to purchase their meats, even if this means driving a great distance or paying more money. Others may opt to purchase halal meat from kosher shops since the Jewish method of slaughter is similar to zabihah.
Muslims observe a number of Islamic dietary restrictions. Most foods are permissible for Muslims to eat except for those foods which have been expressly forbidden.
Halal and haram are two Arabic words which are used extensively and broadly by many Muslims. Halal refers to what is permissible, while haram refers to what is expressly prohibited or forbidden in Islam.
Halal food, then, denotes all food and beverages which do not contain any impermissible ingredients under Islamic dietary laws. Although the list of Islamic dietary restrictions is not long, haram foods might show up as by-products in long lists of ingredients in prepared foods.
What Foods are Haram for Muslims to Eat?
Islamic dietary laws are based on verses in the Qur'an which forbid Muslims from consuming the following products:
Halal Food for Muslims
Halal foods include all other meats and beverages which fall outside of those Islamic dietary restrictions. This includes all fish and seafood, providing the fish are first caught live, and all domestic meats and poultry, providing the animals are slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines.Wild non-carnivorous animals and birds which are hunted for food may be killed by other humane methods. Hunting purely for sport, however, is not allowed.
Halal Meat (Zabihah)
Islam has strict zabihah guidelines for slaughtering animals in a humane and healthy manner. Both the slaughter method itself and the resulting halal meat are referred to as zabihah. Although zabihah meat is widely available at Islamic butcher shops, there are times when Muslims may perform zabihah themselves, particularly at the annual Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Adha.
Zabihah involves invoking the name of Allah (God) before making a swift incision in the animal's throat. The cut, when performed correctly, is not painful and yields healthier meat because it allows for rapid draining of the blood.
Haram Food Ingredients and Products
A number of food products should be used with caution, or avoided altogether by Muslims because they are commonly derived from haram food ingredients. It's advisable for Muslims to read food labels and ingredients lists, looking for such questionable ingredients as:- Gelatin - Most gelatin is typically derived from pork, unless otherwise specified.
- Lard - Most commercial lard is pork lard, although beef lard may be available in some stores.
- Shortening - Hydrated (solid) oils may or may not be vegetable-based.
- Pepsin - This is an enzyme usually derived from a pig's stomach.
- Rennin (Rennet) - This is used to make cheese, and may or may not be pork-based.
- Vanilla Extract - Most flavoring extracts contain alcohol.
- Glycerol (Glycerine) - Glycerol may be animal-based (usually pig), plant or synthetic.
Are Kosher Foods Halal for Muslims to Eat?
Although many Muslims assume that kosher products are halal food for Muslims, this is not always the case. Some Jews, for example, consider all gelatin to be kosher even if the gelatin is derived from pork products. And while all alcohol is forbidden in Islam, wine is regarded as kosher under Jewish law.Halal Meat Versus Supermarket Meat
A verse in the Qur'an (5:5) states that the food of the Jews and Christians is permissible for Muslims to eat. Many Muslims in the West interpret this to mean that supermarket meats are halal. However, other Muslims feel that supermarket meat is not halal food, as there is no way to know if an animal was slaughtered humanely or whether the person performing the slaughter was indeed a Christian or a Jew.Therefore, many Muslims in the West seek out halal shops to purchase their meats, even if this means driving a great distance or paying more money. Others may opt to purchase halal meat from kosher shops since the Jewish method of slaughter is similar to zabihah.
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