What are the meanings of Halal and Haram Foods?

Halal is derived from the Arabic term allowing something from an Islamic legal perspective translated it means lawful. This ranges from taking food and beverages to acting and the way people live their lives. In the matter of food, halal is the food that is permissible for Muslims to eat and drink.

On the other hand, Haram means ‘’forbidden or unlawful This is the Arabic word used to refer to anything prohibited within the Islamic faith. That is, these are the things that are unlawful by Sharia, and eating haram or acting haram is a grave sin as per Shariah.

The Significance of Halal Consuming in Islamic Teaching

Understanding Halal and Haram Products

Many believe that consuming halal foods or foods that are considered halal food is the right to do according to Allah’s orders. The Quran emphasizes the importance of consuming lawful and pure food:

Quranic Reference:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

Translation:

“O you who have faith, enjoy the permissible things which Allah has allowed for you and recognize Allah if it is Him that you do worship.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:172)

Thus, by eating only halal foods, Muslims contribute not only to their physical health but as for the religious aspect, as well.

Halal Foods: What is Permissible?

Here’s a list of foods that are considered halal in Islam:

1. Meat from Permissible Animals

Laal and animals like cows, goats, sheep, and camels are also allowed as Halal but the method in which they are killed is most important which in Islamic perspective is known as Zabiha or Dhabiha. This has to do with things like saying Bismillah when slaughtering the animal, and making sure the animal is killed in as humane a way as possible.

Halal meats include:

  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Chicken
  • Goat
  • Fish and seafood: all meat that has scales except the products from mollusks depending on the variety of the scorning views.

2. Plant-Based Foods

Halal foods are recommended; however, any plant-consumable food and vegetable prepared in any way or form is permitted except those that are toxic or have a tendency to be poisonous to the human body. This includes:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Legumes
  • Nuts
  • Grains

3. Dairy Products

Milk and other products such as milk cheese yogurt and butter are halal unless they contain non-halal materials such as gelatin or enzymes in their manufacture.

4. Grains and Cereals

Rice, wheat, oats, barley, and all grains and creak products, are permissible in Islam if they are not mixed with any other non-Halal food.

5. Beverages

All drinks are allowed provided they are not alcoholic. Halal beverages include:

  • Water
  • Fruit juices
  • Milk
  • Coffee and tea excluding beer, wine, spirits, and any form of mind-altering substance.

Haram Foods: What is Forbidden?

The eating habits of Muslims also prohibit them from taking particular foods or drinks. Here’s a list of foods that are considered haram:

1. Pork and Pork By-products

Pork is explicitly prohibited in the Quran, and this includes all pork products and by-products, such as:

  1. Bacon
  2. Ham
  3. Pork sausages
  4. Lard (pork fat)

Quranic Reference:

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنزِيرِ

Translation:

Forbidden to you [for food] are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine…
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3)

2. Dead Animals (Carrion)

The meat of an animal that dies a natural death or whose throat is not cut and it dies later (like carrion) then it is haram. This consists of animals that died of illnesses, in mishaps, or were gored by other animals.

3. Blood

The drink of blood without food or with it is haram. This is perhaps manifested through products like blood sausage and other dishes that mainly consist of blood.

4. Alcohol and Intoxicants

The Religions of Islam consider any substance that can bring on any sort of inebriation to be forbidden. This includes:

  1. Any kind of liquor (wine, beer, whisky, vodka, etc)
  2. Products made from alcohol or alcohol-bearing products
  3. The strain that can reduce the capability of an individual to make the right decision due to taking recreational drugs and substances

Quranic Reference:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ

Translation:

“O you who have believed, Indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:90)

5. Animals Not Properly Slaughtered

Though the animal might be permissible to be consumed by Muslims it becomes unlawful if the animal is not slaughtered in the Islamic way – Zabiha. This includes meat from a slaughtered animal that was not done in the name of Allah or meat from an animal that was killed by using an unlawful method.

6. Carnivorous Animals

Islam forbids the consumption of animals that have sharp teeth and hunt other animals, such as:

  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Wolves
  • Dogs

Similarly, birds with claws (eagle, hawk) are also haram Another example is the birds that have infected and dangerous talons are also forbidden.

Halal and Haram Food Additives

Most of the manufactured foods contain Preservatives some of which originate from haram products. Common ingredients to watch out for include:

  • Gelatin: Sometimes it might even be obtained from a non-halal source such as pork meats.
  • Enzymes: Some of these enzymes are employed when making cheese, and it has been discovered they may originate from non-halal animal organisms.
  • Alcohol: Infrequently seen in application in flavorings and extracts.

Muslims should ensure they are reading labels or buying products that state they are halal to avoid these products that contain haram ingredients.

Conclusion

Islamic laws regarding permissible and non-permissible foods commonly referred to as halal and haram foods should be a familiar subject to every Muslim with the intention of avoiding the consumption of unlawful foods. By obeying these rules of diet Muslims do their religious duties, and keep the purity of their souls and body as well.