ISLAMIC DIETARY LAWS JAMES D. HARRITOS II

“O believers, eat what is good of the food We have given you, and be grateful to God, If indeed you are obedient to Him.” (2:172)

HALAL & HARAM

TERMINOLOGY Halal – permissible, lawful Dhabiha – meat slaughtered by Muslims Haram – prohibited Mashbooh – questionable, or doubtful

The four impurities WITH MEAT

“Forbidden to you are carrion and blood, and the flesh of the swine, and that which has been consecrated in the name of any other than God.” (Quran 2:172-173)

CARRION If the animal was dead, not slaughtered Rotting meat not fit for human consumption Decaying process causes formation of harmful chemicals in meat

“Forbidden unto you are carrion … and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which has been killed by horns…” (Quran 5:3)

SWINE Food made from pig is forbidden Pathogenic worms can enter humans Fatty acids are incompatible with human

UNBLESSED MEAT “Eat only that over which the name of God has been pronounced, if you truly believe in his commands.” (Quran 6:118)

UNBLESSED MEAT Strict Interpretation: Loose interpretation: A prayer must be recited by the butcher Loose interpretation: A long as it’s not slaughtered in anyone’s name Short prayer before eating Bismillah: in the name of God

UNBLESSED MEAT “This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them.” (Quran 5:5)

BLOOD Flowing or congealed blood is forbidden Must be slaughtered in a particular manner Blood contains harmful bacteria, products of metabolism, toxins

SLAUGHTERING Throat is split Jugular veins, carotid arteries, trachea, and esophagus are drained completely Allows blood to drain from carcass Must use sharpened knife Must not detach head – spinal cord untouched

“Verily, Allah has prescribed excellence in everything; so if you kill, then kill well, and if you slaughter, then slaughter well. Let one of you sharpen his knife so his animal feels no pain” (Sahih Muslim 1955)

DHABIHA SLAUGHTERING Sane Muslim Proper age Utmost care to the animal being slaughtered

OTHER GUIDELINES

FISH Hanafi Sunnis (majority) – only fish with scales are halal Shiites make an exception with some crustaceans (shrimp, prawns) Rules of slaughtering do not apply

FORBIDDEN ANIMALS Carnivorous animals with fangs Birds of prey Lions, dogs, wolves, tigers, etc. Birds of prey Falcons, eagles, owls, vultures Land animals Frogs, snakes Domestic asses (donkeys) Prophet Muhammad called them “loathsome and impure”

FORBIDDEN ANIMALS Insects are haram except for locusts Animals must survive on grass and leaves to be food Cow, lamb, camel Thus, not swine

PROFIT FROM HARAM Muslims cannot do any of the following with haram products: Buy Sell Raise Transport Slaughter Benefit in any way

ALCOHOL “Oh ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance, and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan’s handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed.” (5:90)

ALCOHOL Intoxicants are considered harmful Affects senses and human judgement Can lead to social & family problems Can lead to loss of lives Quran recognizes good and bad of alcohol, but states the bad outweighs the good

ALCOHOL Food with alcohol prohibited Food becomes impure “Of whatever thing a large quantity intoxicates, even a small quantity is prohibited”

Halal in business

MARKET FOR HALAL IN U.S. Roughly 2.6 million Muslims in U.S. About $20 billion/year industry Sales of halal meat up 70% in 5 years Previously mostly for export Many small/medium halal manufacturers springing up

MARKET FOR HALAL WORLDWIDE Globally – 1.6 billion Muslims 1.9 billion by 2020 ¼ of world’s population Global market - $2.1 trillion Growing $500 billion/year Malaysia is leader in halal certification Up $54 billion in sales from 2004-2010 Singapore, U.S., and Brunei Indonesia investing

MARKET FOR HALAL WORLDWIDE Nestle Makes more on halal food than organic food Markets selling halal meat growing more popular in Europe France – Casino supermarkets Britain – several of its main supermarkets Huge growth in Germany Halal sausage manufacturer sells 100 tons/week

ISSUES IN PRODUCTION Shortage of guidelines combining halal regulations and food regulations for manufacturers Chance of animals dying from shock before slaughtering Difference in law among different groups German laws require meat from abroad