Halal
[3] In the modern world, the concept of halal has expanded beyond individual actions and dietary restrictions to become a global industry, particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and financial sectors.
[4] Although halal is often associated with dietary laws, particularly meat that is slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, it also governs ethical practices in business, finance (such as the prohibition of interest or riba), and daily living.
[7] In recent times, Islamic movements seeking to mobilize the masses and authors writing for a popular audience have emphasized the simpler distinction of halal and haram.
The words halal and haram are the common terms used in the Quran to designate the categories of lawful or allowed and unlawful or forbidden.
While pork is the only meat that categorically may not be consumed by Muslims (the Quran forbids it,[13] Surah 2:173 and 16:115)[14][15] other foods not in a state of purity are also considered haram.
[23] Halal ready meals are a growing consumer market for Muslims in Britain and America and are offered by an increasing number of retailers.
[25] Some clerics and scholars have expressed support, arguing that such food production methods are halal because they contribute to human well-being.
Halal practices align with this philosophy by promoting kindness, compassion, and humane treatment throughout the entire lifecycle of the animal.
This method of slaughtering animals consists of using a sharp knife to make an incision that cuts the front of the throat, oesophagus and jugular veins but not the spinal cord.
[30] The head of an animal that is slaughtered using halal methods should be aligned with the qiblah (the direction a Muslim faces when praying)[citation needed].
[33] However, the UK Food Standards Agency figures from 2011 suggest that 84% of cattle, 81% of sheep and 88% of chickens slaughtered for halal meat were stunned before they died.
[51] Australian Federation of Islamic Councils spokesman Keysar Trad told a journalist in July 2014 that this was an attempt to exploit anti-Muslim sentiments in Australia.
[57] Halal standards and regulations have been considered as an obstacle to international trade while the discrimination towards import products also lacks transparency.
Trade disputes related to halal have emerged even among Muslim and Islamic countries, for instance at the regional level within the ASEAN.
The ruling was in response to a challenge to a 2017 Flemish government prohibition on the killing of animals without prior non-lethal (also called reversible) stunning by Jewish and Muslim associations.
In March 2022 the Hindutva group Bajrang Dal physically attacked a Muslim meat seller, five persons were arrested in the incident.
In March 2022, C. T. Ravi, national general secretary for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, referred to halal food as "economic jihad".
[66] In addition to food and diet, a halal lifestyle can include travel, finance, clothing, media, recreation, cosmetics.
This distinction is most noticeably practiced in Malaysia,[68] which has a large halal pharmaceutical industry, complete with government regulations to make sure the products are tayyib.
[69] On the other hand, the Quran obliges Muslims to seek treatment, including preventive ones, for diseases regardless of what the care provider believes in.
[70] In particular, medicines containing animal products like gelatin have been deemed permissible by a 1995 council of Islamic jurisprudents, making such distinction unnecessary.
