Recently a Halal meat shop opened near us, selling Halal meat. We wondered, what exactly does 'Halal' mean?

Halal is an Arabic word meaning 'permitted.' As far as food is concerned, it refers to food permitted for Muslims. For meat certified as 'Halal,' it cannot be a forbidden cut (such as hindquarter meat) or animal (such as pig).

Slaughtering a Halal animal is called 'zabihah,' and there are some guidelines to follow:

The name of the Creator must be invoked during slaughter.

The tool must be very sharp to ensure humane slaughter. The animal's throat must be cut.

The animal cannot be unconscious.

The animal must be hung upside down to drain its blood. Blood is not Halal.

These steps must be carried out by a Muslim or a Person of the Book (Christian or Jew). Many careful Muslims consider Jewish Kosher meat acceptable.

FAQ

What does Halal meat mean?
Halal is Arabic for 'permitted.' As far as meat is concerned, meat certified as Halal cannot be a forbidden cut (such as certain hindquarter meat) or a forbidden animal (such as pig); it must be permitted for Muslims to eat.
What guidelines must Halal slaughter (zabihah) follow?
Slaughter guidelines include: the name of the Creator must be invoked during slaughter; the tool must be very sharp to ensure humane slaughter, cutting the animal's throat; the animal cannot be unconscious; the animal must be hung upside down to drain its blood (blood is not Halal); these steps must be carried out by a Muslim or a Person of the Book (Christian or Jew). Many careful Muslims consider Jewish Kosher meat acceptable.