Understand What Halal Is

"Halal" is the opposite of "haraam." They are both Arabic terms that specify which object or action is acceptable (halal) or objectionable (haraam) according to the Islamic law or the Sharia. Outside Saudi Arabia, halal refers narrowly to the context of the dietary laws of Muslims, especially to the preparation of poultry and meat.

Almost three-fourths of all Muslims follow halal food standards. The Islamic religion has laws that indicate foods that are allowed and not allowed to be eaten as well as procedures on slaughtering animals for consumption, more commonly known as "dhabiha."  

The following substances according to Qur'an 2:173 are detrimental for any Muslim to consume unless it might save their life or when there is no other provision.

• Blood
• Carrion
• Carnivores and birds of prey
• Pork meat
• Sacrificed animals for other deities

Aside from that, there are also additional substances that are forbidden for consumption:

• Food whose Allah's name has not blessed (Qur'an 6:121)
• Alcohol and other intoxicating substances (Qur'an 5:90 - 91)
• Any animal that has been beaten to death, strangled, or killed by accident or by beasts of prey (Qur'an 5:3)

The part in the Qur'an that specifies how animals should be ritually slaughtered is described in the verse 5:3 or the dhabiha. This describes the traditional butchering of all animals excluding marine animals according to Islamic law. Initially, the animal to be slaughtered is prayed over and offered to Allah. Subsequently, the butcher swiftly incises the jugular veins and the carotid arteries of both sides deeply causing massive hemorrhage and eventual death of the animal. The knife used for halal is never used for other food substances.   

Dhabiha halal is somewhat difficult to abide with in a non-Muslim country because of the following reasons:

• Profusion of pork and other haraam meat at restaurants. Muslims fear cross contamination since the cooking tools might be used for their supposedly halal menu.
• Many ostensible meat-free dishes contain haraam substances. An example of this is gelatin, which might come from pork or monosodium glutamate that use enzymes derived from pig fat during production.
• Alcohol and its many forms are used in cooking. Cakes and sauces contain alcohol and flavor extracts which uses alcohol as their solvents.
• Clashes with animal rights groups. Many similar animal advocates condone the alleged cruelty of dhabiha butchering, as the animals are believed to have bled to death and have experienced terrible pain before their demise.

Due to the stringent standards of qualifying food as "halal," Muslims all over the world have established commissions that examine the food marketed to Muslims before they certify it as "halal." Some restaurants list ingredients that are considered "haraam" on their menu to protect their Muslim clients and have themselves certified by the local Muslim food commission. They have also formed groups that research the claims of some animal advocates that the method of butchering is inhumane. Meat companies provide labels on their meat to indicate whether they are halal or not for their consumers.