1. ISLAMIC DIETARY LAWS
JAMES D. HARRITOS II

2. “O believers, eat what is good of the food
We have given you, and be grateful to God,
If indeed you are obedient to Him.”
(2:172)

3. HALAL & HARAM

4. TERMINOLOGY Halal – permissible, lawful
Dhabiha – meat slaughtered by Muslims
Haram – prohibited
Mashbooh – questionable, or doubtful

5. The four impurities WITH MEAT

6. “Forbidden to you are carrion and blood, and the flesh of the swine,
and that which has been consecrated
in the name of any other than God.”
(Quran 2: )

7. CARRION If the animal was dead, not slaughtered
Rotting meat not fit for human consumption
Decaying process causes formation of harmful chemicals in meat

8. “Forbidden unto you are carrion … and the strangled,
and the dead through beating,
and the dead through falling from a height,
and that which has been killed by horns…”
(Quran 5:3)

9. SWINE Food made from pig is forbidden
Pathogenic worms can enter humans
Fatty acids are incompatible with human

10. UNBLESSED MEAT
“Eat only that over which the name of God has been pronounced, if you truly believe in his commands.” (Quran 6:118)

11. UNBLESSED MEAT Strict Interpretation: Loose interpretation:
A prayer must be recited by the butcher
Loose interpretation:
A long as it’s not slaughtered in anyone’s name
Short prayer before eating
Bismillah: in the name of God

12. UNBLESSED MEAT
“This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them.” (Quran 5:5)

13. BLOOD Flowing or congealed blood is forbidden
Must be slaughtered in a particular manner
Blood contains harmful bacteria, products of metabolism, toxins

14. SLAUGHTERING Throat is split
Jugular veins, carotid arteries, trachea, and esophagus are drained completely
Allows blood to drain from carcass
Must use sharpened knife
Must not detach head – spinal cord untouched

15. “Verily, Allah has prescribed excellence in everything; so if you kill, then kill well, and if you slaughter, then slaughter well. Let one of you sharpen his knife so his animal feels no pain”
(Sahih Muslim 1955)

16. DHABIHA SLAUGHTERING Sane Muslim Proper age
Utmost care to the animal being slaughtered

17. OTHER GUIDELINES

18. FISH Hanafi Sunnis (majority) – only fish with scales are halal
Shiites make an exception with some crustaceans (shrimp, prawns)
Rules of slaughtering do not apply

19. FORBIDDEN ANIMALS Carnivorous animals with fangs Birds of prey
Lions, dogs, wolves, tigers, etc.
Birds of prey
Falcons, eagles, owls, vultures
Land animals
Frogs, snakes
Domestic asses (donkeys)
Prophet Muhammad called them “loathsome and impure”

20. FORBIDDEN ANIMALS Insects are haram except for locusts
Animals must survive on grass and leaves to be food
Cow, lamb, camel
Thus, not swine

21. PROFIT FROM HARAM
Muslims cannot do any of the following with haram products:
Buy
Sell
Raise
Transport
Slaughter
Benefit in any way

22. ALCOHOL
“Oh ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance, and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan’s handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed.” (5:90)

23. ALCOHOL Intoxicants are considered harmful
Affects senses and human judgement
Can lead to social & family problems
Can lead to loss of lives
Quran recognizes good and bad of alcohol, but states the bad outweighs the good

24. ALCOHOL Food with alcohol prohibited
Food becomes impure
“Of whatever thing a large quantity intoxicates, even a small quantity is prohibited”

25. Halal in business

26. MARKET FOR HALAL IN U.S. Roughly 2.6 million Muslims in U.S.
About $20 billion/year industry
Sales of halal meat up 70% in 5 years
Previously mostly for export
Many small/medium halal manufacturers springing up

27. MARKET FOR HALAL WORLDWIDE
Globally – 1.6 billion Muslims
1.9 billion by 2020
¼ of world’s population
Global market - $2.1 trillion
Growing $500 billion/year
Malaysia is leader in halal certification
Up $54 billion in sales from
Singapore, U.S., and Brunei Indonesia investing

28. MARKET FOR HALAL WORLDWIDE
Nestle
Makes more on halal food than organic food
Markets selling halal meat growing more popular in Europe
France – Casino supermarkets
Britain – several of its main supermarkets
Huge growth in Germany
Halal sausage manufacturer sells 100 tons/week

29. ISSUES IN PRODUCTION
Shortage of guidelines combining halal regulations and food regulations for manufacturers
Chance of animals dying from shock before slaughtering
Difference in law among different groups
German laws require meat from abroad