What Does Halal Mean? It Is About More Than Just Food

The word "Halal" may be the most common concept associated with Muslims. It is the "social face" of their religious beliefs and practices, enriching Australia's multiculturalism. However, many non-Muslims do not deeply understand what Halal means. As we have seen in the past, ignorance and misunderstanding of Halal food can lead to xenophobic attitudes toward Muslims. Understanding its true meaning can enhance mutual respect between Muslims and non-Muslims and consolidate social harmony. The following is the meaning of the term and its origin.

What is the definition?

Halal is an Arabic word that essentially refers to all things permitted or lawful according to Islamic teachings. Its antonym is "haram," referring to everything prohibited in Islam. Scholar Yusuf Qaradawi defines halal as "that which is permitted, with respect to which no restriction exists," and haram as "that which the Lawgiver [God] has absolutely prohibited." In Islam, the scope of haram food is generally limited. On the contrary, the scope of halal food is very broad. Anything not declared haram and beneficial to humans is halal. The Islamic scholar Mohammad Hashim Kamali quotes a saying of the Prophet Muhammad:

The halal is that which God has permitted in His Book, and the haram is that which God has forbidden in His Book. As for what He has chosen to remain silent about, that is without sin.

Therefore, what Islam has not described as haram is halal.

Who decides what is halal?

Halal and haram are the prerogative of God and cannot be decided by humans. The Quran advises believers to "receive the good things provided for their sustenance." What Islam permits is considered beneficial to humans, and what it forbids is harmful to humans. The Quran calls halal food "good." However, if halal food is harmful to health, it may become haram. For example, sugar is halal, but excessive consumption, if life-threatening, may become haram. When life-threatening hunger arises, haram food can also be halal. The meat of certain animals and birds, including cattle, goats, kangaroos, chickens, and ducks, is halal only if slaughtered in the Islamic manner. However, the meat of pigs and dogs, carnivorous animals, and most reptiles is haram. Common species of fish and seafood are halal, although there are differences of opinion on certain items (such as crab and squid). According to the Quran, intoxicants (such as smoking and alcohol abuse) and gambling are haram in Islam, because they "sow enmity and hatred" between people and turn them away from worship.

More than just food

Islamic life cannot be understood without the rules of halal and haram. These rules cover every aspect of Muslim life, including food and drink consumption, clothing, verbal and non-verbal behavior, financial transactions, sexual relations, social interactions, and entertainment. For example, Muslim women are forbidden to wear typically male clothing, and vice versa. Men are forbidden to wear gold, jewelry, and silk clothing, but women are allowed to. Usury (lending at unreasonably high interest rates) is haram, but making money through fair trade and commercial practices is halal. Manufacturers and marketers increasingly meet the needs of Muslim customers by promoting Halal brands. However, ignorance or only partial understanding of Halal food remains common among both Muslims and non-Muslims.

When dining out at mainstream restaurants, Muslims check whether the meat on the menu is halal. Occasionally, we hear food shop staff say: "The beef and chicken are halal, but I'm not sure about the pork."

Others ask Muslims whether they are allowed to eat fish. Such questions reveal both curiosity and misunderstanding.

A meaningful, ethical life

One unhelpful practice is to take Halal food beyond its true meaning and link it to political and ideological issues. Sometimes Halal food is weaponized for anti-Muslim propaganda. In most cases, halal food and non-halal food may have no physical, chemical, or nutritional difference. It is only religious or spiritual.

One of this article's authors once had a child who ate a beef sausage at his primary school's food festival. When told it was not halal, he said it tasted exactly like a halal sausage. He was right. A non-Muslim child would have the same experience with a halal sausage. Since the difference lies only in the method of slaughtering halal animals, the taste will be the same. But given the spiritual importance of halal food, a Muslim who eats non-halal food, even mistakenly, will not feel good. Muslims who follow halal rules may respect others' diets. Dietary rules or preferences can be a basis for understanding the similarities and differences between faith communities.

This knowledge can also help identify common ground between Muslims and non-Muslims, ensuring inclusivity and social connection. Muslims' halal practices can benefit society. Halal food obtained through haram means becomes haram. For example, deception, corruption, and hiding product information can make income or commercial transactions non-Islamic.

Earning excessive profit by harming customers also goes against the spirit of halal. Therefore, halal is more than just avoiding certain foods and drinks. It is also about living an ethical and meaningful life, both for oneself and for others.