Is Turkey Halal? A Guide For Muslims

Turkey is a bird that looks like a large hen . Its meat is widely sold and liked by people around the world. Many Muslims in European countries curious about its Islamic dietary status. They want to know: Is Turkey halal?

The quick answer is yes. It is considered a halal bird in Islam as long as it is slaughtered in an Islamic way. For Turkey To be Halal, it should be slaughtered in the name of Allah by Muslims or people of book. It should be alive at time of slaughter. If turkey meat is fulfilling all these conditions, then definitely it is halal to consume. Let’s get to root of the topic to learn more about turkey.

Turkey falls in category of beautiful birds having colourful feathers and red flesh hanging from its beak. It is often confused with a hen but It belongs to separate family . while female turkeys are called hens they are not the same as domestic hens.

Male turkeys are called toms. They are native to north America, but other countries also domesticate them for their delicious meat. Turkey is quite expensive  due to the costs of rearing and distribution to other countries.

It is a great source of protein like other poultry birds. Its tasty meat is full of vitamins and minerals. High protein and low fat content  makes a person healthy without weight gaining. It is a healthy food option.

All predatory birds and birds with talons ( sharp hooked claw at end of toes )are haram. Turkey is a halal meat to consume if :

• It is slaughtered in the name of Allah by saying Bismillah Allahu Akbar.
• A slaughterer is a Muslim jew or Christian.
• Slaughtering is done with sharp knife with single continuous cut with minimal pain. The cut chopped the wind pipe, jugular veins and  carotid arteries.
• The bird is alive and conscious.
• All blood is drained by hanging bird upside down .

Note: The bird  should be healthy and disease free. Slaughtering should be performed in clean and hygienic environment. As Islam also emphasize on eat healthy food with being halal.

Quranic Proof:

“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah.”

Hadith proof:

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“If the slaughtering tool causes blood to gush out and if Allah’s name is mentioned, eat (of the slaughtered animal).” (Bukhari 5504, Muslim 1968)

• Hanafi school of thought consider turkey halal as it resembles chicken in its characteristics
• Shafi s also consider turkey a halal bird as it is not  a predatory birds
• Hanbali  and Maliki school of thoughts  also says that turkey is s halal bird.

The question of whether turkey is halal has been answered. It is proven from the Quran and hadith that turkey is a halal bird. There is no scholarly disagreement on turkey’s halal status. It can be consumed by Muslims as long as it is slaughtered in an Islamic way.