HALAL MANUFACTURE

By

Mohamed El-Mouelhy

Islam is not a mere religion. It is a way of life. There are rules and manners governing the individual Muslim. However, these are more than just rules of social courtesy. They are derived from broad objectives of Islam and reflect its ideas and values. Hence, they have, for the Muslims, divine inspiration. While none of the general principles of faith can be changed, the precise details of the application of the rules may differ according to the fashions and circumstances of the local groups. The true purpose of Islamic rules lies in its religious character. It derives from and sustains man's need to remember God and help him act rightly and correctly.

Muslims are expected to eat for survival, to maintain good health and not to live for eating. In Islam, eating is considered to be a matter of worship of God like prayer, alms giving, fasting, and other religious activities. A Muslim eats to maintain a strong and healthy physique in order to be able to contribute his knowledge and efforts for the welfare of society. Muslims are supposed to make an effort to obtain food of the best quality nutritionally.

Australia is a multiracial and multireligious country. The problem of Halal/Haram with respect to food thus becomes an issue because some non Muslims may not understand the problems and sensitivities of the Muslims. This is compounded by the fact that American manufacturers are either unaware of Muslims requirements or choose to ignore them as insignificant.

1. HALAL:

All foods are considered lawful in Islam unless specifically prohibited by the Qur'an or the Hadith. By official definition, Halal foods are those that are:

• Free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from consuming.
• Free from anything considered Najis (unclean) according to Shariah (law).
• Processed or prepared with apparatus or equipment free from things considered Najis (unclean).
• Free from contamination while prepared or processed with anything considered Najis (unclean).

2. HARAM:

According to the current Islamic thinking, the following are considered Najis and therefore Haram:

2.1 Animals and their products:

• Dogs.
• Pigs.
• Insects considered ugly or filthy such as worms, lice, flies, etc.
• Animals with fangs such as tigers, lions, cats, etc.
• Birds that have talons with which they catch their prey such as owls, eagles, etc.
• Animals which Islam encourages to kill such as scorpions, centipedes, rats, etc.
• Animals which Islam forbids to kill such as bees, etc.
• Animals that have toxins, poisons or produce ill effects when eaten such as some fish etc....
• Amphibian animals such as crocodiles, frogs, etc.
• Meat that have been cut from a live animal such as limbs, tails, etc.
• Lawful animals not slaughtered according to Islamic rites. (Fish is exempt from slaughtering.)

2.2 Plants and their products:

• Poisonous plants.
• Intoxicating plants.

2.3 Liquids and their products:

• Poisonous drinks.
• Intoxicating drinks.

2.4 Other matters and their products:

• Faeces and urine.
• Placental tissue.
• Blood.