Halal Concept

The Halal concept means lawful, also translated as permitted. Those who believe that the concept is limited to the ritual of beheading an animal are mistaken. Halal goes far beyond this concept. It is an ethical and moral standard of lawful actions that cover social environment, conduct, justice towards your neighbor, being Muslim or not, in the modest way of dressing men and women, finances, and food. Halal is a system based on principles and values that benefit all humanity, not only Muslims.

Foods designated "Halal" are those whose consumption benefits human health and are allowed by God. In the Holy Qur’an, the sacred book of the Muslims, God commands the Muslims and all humankind to eat only "Halal" foods.

"You Have Been Allowed All Things that are Healthy"

يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ

Health is seen as one of the greatest blessings that God has bestowed on humankind. The enhancement of health, through a balanced diet, is affirmed in several verses of the Quran.

Surah 2, verse 168

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُواْ مِمَّا فِي الأَرْضِ حَلاَلاً طَيِّباً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

" O ye men! eat of what is lawful and good in the earth; and follow not the footsteps of Satan; surely, he is to you an open enemy."

Surah 2, verse 172

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لِلّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُون 

" O ye who believe! eat of the good things We have provided for you, and render thanks to Allah, if it is He Whom you worship."

Surah 5, verse 5

ٱلْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتُ ۖ وَطَعَامُ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ وَٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ وَٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَٰفِحِينَ وَلَا مُتَّخِذِىٓ أَخْدَانٍ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱلْإِيمَٰنِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُۥ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ

This day all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of the People of the Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And lawful for you are chaste believing women and chaste women from among those who were given the Book before you, when you give them their dowries, contracting valid marriage and not committing fornication nor taking secret paramours. And whoever rejects the faith, his work has doubtless come to naught, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers. "

Surah 5, verse 88

وَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَٰلًا طَيِّبًا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ

The indulgence and waste of food are very clear in Hadith of the Messenger of God Mohammad (peace be upon him):

Wahchi Ibn Harb (R) reported that some companions of the Messenger of Allah (S) said, - "O Messenger of Allah (S), we ate and were not satisfied!" He asked them, "Have you, by any chance, eaten individually?" They said, "Yes!" He said to them, "Eat together and utter the name of Allah, and He will bless you." (Abu Daúd)

Source: Garden of the Virtuous - Imam Abu Zakaria Yahia Ibn Charaf An-Nawawi / Translation Samir El Hayek. 

Halal foods allowed for consumption must follow the conditions:

The Islamic concept defines that food directly influences behavior, moral and physical health of the human being. Thus, the consumer must be concerned with knowing the origin of the food they consume to be sure that it is legal and pure.

The animal protein and its derivatives must be produced from a correct and socially fair productive system, and must come from Halal slaughtering , as determined by Sharia (Islamic Jurisprudence). The Halal slaughter method contributes so that the animal does not suffer and, consequently, does not release stress hormones at the time of slaughter - which can harm the meat and cause harm to those who consume it. Halal slaughter guarantees a safe product, healthy and of a much superior quality when compared to the conventional meats that didn't go through the Halal slaughtering process.

Food and industrialized products must be free of Haram elements, such as pork and pork products (inputs and ingredients), for example, collagen, blood, enzymes, hair, bone and fat.

They must also be free from impurities (najassah),  as determined by Islamic Jurisprudence.

The food must also be free of poisonous, intoxicating, and health-damaging elements.

Foods such as vegetables, fruits, greens and legumes, in order to be in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence, must be cultivated through conscientious management; be free of slave labor; without contamination by illegal pesticides and respect the parameters required by law.

Requirements of companies that practice the Halal concept:

They use raw materials, inputs and process aids guaranteed in accordance with Halal requirements, that is, 100% legal.

Manufacture food, products, or provide services that do not affect human health.

These are companies that have a properly implemented, recognized and safe quality management system, for example, with good manufacturing practices (GMP), HACCP (when applicable) and so on.

They care for animal welfare, when related to the livestock or animal protein sector.

They have a complete, safe and reproducible traceability system, which allows evaluating the entire Halal flow;

They manage the soil and other natural resources in a balanced way.

They do not use slave and child labor.

Transfer information transparently.

They practice correct and fair business conduct in their dealings.

They allocate part of their profits to social benefits and the environment (citizen company).

They use and respect the levels of pesticides determined by legislation.

They slaughter the animals with humanism and respect, following the Sharia.