Halal Meat (Permitted to eat Meat)

In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Quranic Truth

Many Muslims talk about what they call "Halal Meat" without even knowing their Quranic criteria. Most of those who arrive to the USA or the "West" in General, from other countries, or those who convert to Islam (Submission) in these countries, are usually faced by someone who tell them, "do not eat but the 'Halal meat' ." They usually mean the man-made definition of Halal meat, not the divine definition of "Halal" Meat that is found explained clearly in the Quran.

The Quran teaches that God is extremely displeased with those who prohibit anything that was not specifically prohibited in the Quran, See 16:112-116. The upholding of any prohibitions not specifically mentioned in the Quran is tantamount to idolatry, See 6:142-152. Such prohibitions represent some other god (s) beside God. If you worship God Alone, you will uphold His teachings ALONE and honor the commandments and prohibitions instituted by HIM ALONE.

God very clearly mentioned in the Quran what is prohibited from the food and meat. See 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115. From these verses you can know what is Halal (lawful) meat and what is haram (prohibited).

[2:173] He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than God. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

"Halal Meat" as we know it these days, is a term used more often for commercial profits than religious observance. Those who call their meat Halal, are in some way insinuating that any other meat is not Halal, or specifically the meat in the general grocery stores is not Halal. They make more money on their products by selling it more expensive while deceiving the naive public Moslems into believing that their meat is the only Halal meat for the Muslims.

You do not need to guess hard to understand the MERCY of the MOST merciful. God Almighty knows many Muslims will live in the middle of Christians and Jews and will be sharing their food and for this reason God told the Prophet Muhammed more than 1400 years ago, the following;

[5:5] Today, all good food is made lawful for you. The food of the people of the scripture is lawful for you, [and your food is lawful for them]*. Also, you may marry the chaste women among the believers, as well as the chaste women among the followers of previous scripture, provided you pay them their due dowries. You shall maintain chastity, not committing adultery, nor taking secret lovers. Anyone who rejects faith, all his work will be in vain, and in the Hereafter he will be with the losers.

These verses were revealed at a time when God already told us that the people of the scripture distorted their books and no-one can claim this verse was meant for the early Jews and Christians. God Almighty has also specified a very important criteria for His true believers, MENTION GOD"S NAME on everything you are going to eat. See 5:4, & 6:118-119,

[6:118] You shall eat from that upon which God's name has been pronounced, if you truly believe in His revelations.
[6:119] Why should you not eat from that upon which God's name has been mentioned? He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are forced. Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of the transgressors.

God in these verses puts the responsibility, as usual, on the individual. It is you, I and everyone's responsibility to mention God's name on everything we eat. Notice here that God says "EAT" and not "SLAUGHTER" when it comes to mentioning His name. God knows that one day these slaughter houses will be run by machines and computers. He assigned the responsibility to every true Muslim to mention His name on his /her food. We can have machines say Azan and read Basmallah and mention God's name on everything, but this would not take away the responsibility of every individual to remember God and mention His name when it is time to eat. Individuals who work in the slaughter house can be idol-worshipers or aetheist while claiming to be Muslims, Jews or Christians . That is why it is your responsibility to mention God's name before eating. In brief, the slaughter house does not make the meat halal or haram but YOU do.

God did not make distinction between the meat prepared by a Muslim, a Christian, or a Jew, all are lawful to the same degree, all are HALAL. All should be eaten after God's name is pronounced on it before you eat it. Making it difficult for yourself, by insisting on driving miles to look for the so called "Halal Meat" reflects a misunderstanding of or disbelief in God's book and His permission for us to eat the food of the Christians and Jews. If you do not accept God's permission in the Quran, you should re-evaluate your beliefs and understanding of Islam (Submission in English). Those who believe God in the Quran accept His permission to eat the food of the people of the scriptures and enjoy it and appreciate the mercy of the Most Merciful.

EAT WHAT IS LAWFUL

[5:88] And eat from the good and lawful things that God has provided for you. You shall reverence God, in whom you are believers.

[22:30] Those who reverence the rites decreed by God have deserved a good reward at their Lord. All livestock is made lawful for your food, except for those specifically prohibited for you. You shall avoid the abomination of idol worship, and avoid bearing false witness.

[2:168] O people, eat from the earth's products all that is lawful and good, and do not follow the steps of Satan; he is your most ardent enemy.

[5:96] All fish of the sea are made lawful for you to eat. During pilgrimage, this may provide for you during your journey. You shall not hunt throughout the pilgrimage. You shall reverence God, before whom you will be summoned.

[2:172] O you who believe, eat from the good things we provided for you, and be thankful to God, if you do worship Him alone.

[5:93] Those who believe and lead a righteous life bear no guilt by eating any food, so long as they observe the commandments, believe and lead a righteous life, then maintain their piety and faith, and continue to observe piety and righteousness. God loves the righteous.

WHAT IS PROHIBITED

[5:3] Prohibited for you are animals that die of themselves, blood, the meat of pigs,* and animals dedicated to other than God. (Animals that die of themselves include those) strangled, struck with an object, fallen from a height, gored, attacked by a wild animal - unless you save your animal before it dies - and animals sacrificed on altars. Also prohibited is dividing the meat through a game of chance; this is an abomination. Today, the disbelievers have given up concerning (the eradication of) your religion; do not fear them and fear Me instead. Today, I have completed your religion, perfected My blessing upon you, and I have decreed Submission as the religion for you. If one is forced by famine (to eat prohibited food), without being deliberately sinful, then God is Forgiver, Merciful.

[6:145] Say, "I do not find in the revelations given to me any food that is prohibited for any eater except: (1) carrion, (2) running blood, (3) the meat* of pigs, for it is contaminated, and (4) the meat of animals blasphemously dedicated to other than God." If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then your Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[16:115] He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat of pigs,* and food which is dedicated to other than God. If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

MENTION GOD'S NAME BEFORE YOU EAT

[6:121] Do not eat from that upon which the name of God has not been mentioned, for it is an abomination. The devils inspire their allies to argue with you; if you obey them, you will be idol worshipers.*

PROHIBITING WHAT IS LAWFUL

[16:116] You shall not utter lies with your own tongues stating: "This is lawful, and this is unlawful," to fabricate lies and attribute them to God. Surely, those who fabricate lies and attribute them to God will never succeed.

[10:59] Say, "Did you note how God sends down to you all kinds of provisions, then you render some of them unlawful, and some lawful?" Say, "Did God give you permission to do this? Or, do you fabricate lies and attribute them to God?"

[16:35] The idol worshipers say, "Had God willed, we would not worship any idols besides Him, nor would our parents. Nor would we prohibit anything besides His prohibitions." Those before them have done the same. Can the messengers do anything but deliver the complete message?

Do Not Prohibit Lawful Things

[5:87] O you who believe, do not prohibit good things that are made lawful by God, and do not aggress; God dislikes the aggressors.

[5:88] And eat from the good and lawful things that God has provided for you. You shall reverence God, in whom you are believers.