Halal | Definition, Meaning, Food & Meat

The Halal word is repeated 31 times in the Quran which shows that how important it is for the Muslims to eat and drink only Halal food and drinks. There are around 1.9 billion Muslims in the world living in Islamic or non-Islamic states and Muslims living in European countries must check the Halal status of food and drink.

Halal is an Arabic term that simply means “permissible, lawful and allowed”. In the religion of Islam, there are many things which are considered as Halal and there are few things which are considered as Haram. Allah order Muslims to eat only Halal and avoid the Haram things. Read the Quranic verse given below:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَلَـٰلًۭا طَيِّبًۭا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌ

"O humanity! Eat from what is lawful and good on the earth and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. He is truly your sworn enemy".(2-168)

In general, everything is considered as Halal for followers of religion Islam unless it is declared as Haram (Prohibited) in Quran or Hadith. The food is considered as Halal when it is not made by Haram Ingredients and is completely manufactured or stored according to Islamic dietary laws.

The animals that hunt with teeth and claws are not Halal in Islam. There are few animals which are Halal in Islam e.g. Lamb,  Buffalo, Goat, Cow, fish and chicken. Some other categories of fish like octopus, squid and lobster are also Halal. These animals must be slaughtered with the hand of Muslim in a proper way and Muslim that slaughtered the animal must recite the Allah s name (Allah Ho Akbar Allah Ho Akbar) when slaughtering animals.

The food that is made under islamic dietary laws and is manufactured or stored without the involvement of Haram ingredients are Halal food. The Haram ingredients are pork, alcohol or meat of animal that is Haram in Islam. In most of Islamic countries, Food organization department check the Halal status of product and labeled the Halal mono on the rapper of product.

The animals that are dangerous for humans are Haram. The animals that hunts using their teeth and claws are also Haram according to the teaching of Islam. For example lion, cheetah, dog and eagle. Read the Quran Verse below:

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ

"He has only forbidden you ˹to eat carrion, blood, swine, and what is slaughtered in the name of any other than Allah".(2-173)

Also, Hadees of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) is given Below:

Ibn 'Abbas reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prohibited the eating of all fanged beasts of prey, and all the birds having talons. 
(Sahih Muslim 1934)

Some Famous Animals which are Halal in Islam are given below:

• Goat 
• Cow 
• Camel 
• Fish 
• Locusts
• Sheep 
• Chicken
•  Peacock
• Sparrow
•  Sheep
• Buffalo
• Stag
• Rabbit
•  Duck
• Heron
• Pigeon
• Locust
• Ostrich
• Dove
• Pigeon