What's the Difference Between Halal and Haram Meat & Food? (2024)

Muslims and non-Muslims alike can be very intentional and conscientious about what they consume for nourishment and pleasure.

For Muslims, eating halal isn’t simply about health benefits or even following rules but eating foods that will nourish their bodies. Halal is a way of life that encompasses all aspects of behavior and choices. Practicing Muslims worldwide abide by halal principles and avoid products which will subject them to haram products.

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Halal regulations allow all adherents to Islam to eat humanely slaughtered meat that is harvested in accordance with its principles and other clean food. Halal rules don’t harm the people who follow them — they allow Muslims to consume that which benefits their overall health, enjoy life-giving products, and the rules also help Muslims to avoid products that can harm their minds and bodies.

Conversely, haram products constitute all food, beverages, and substances that weren’t ethically sourced, harvested, procured, or prepared and that can harm a consumer’s overall health.

Knowing the definitions of halal and haram and the differences between them can help Muslims better follow this central tradition.

What's the Difference Between Halal and Haram Meat & Food? (1)

Halal and Haram: Definitions

What halal means

Translated from Arabic,halalmeans “lawful or permitted.” Although halal is often used to denote food, drink, and other ingested products, it pertains to lawful practices through all facets of life. The rules of halal don’t fluctuate — they remain the same throughout time and are inspired by the Quran.

Halal food and meat are defined as such based on many factors. These factors include:

  • The origin of the raw materials of the products
  • How these products affect the central nervous system
  • How animals are handled and harvested (humane processes are required)
  • How the food is prepared, and whether it undergoes cross-contamination

Formeat(including poultry) to be considered halal, the following must occur:

  • Slaughter must be carried out by a Muslim
  • Slaughter must occur onlythrough a cut to the carotid artery, jugular vein, or windpipe. This practice renders an animal numb to any further pain or undue suffering.
  • All animals must be healthy at the time of slaughter.
  • No animal can be“stunned” to death.
  • An animal’s blood must be fully drained after slaughter, and packaged meat cannot contain blood.
  • From packaging to storage to preparation, no cross-contamination with haram products can occur.

Other halal food

Halal food products encompass almost every food category. As long as products have not been cross-contaminated by, and do not contain ingredients of, haram food, most food is considered halal. Apart from meat, halal food products can include:

  • Bread
  • Cereal
  • Dairy products
  • Fish
  • Fruit and Vegetables
  • Legumes
  • Nuts
  • Pasta
  • Seafood

What haram means

The differences between halal and haram food are relatively easy to distinguish. Haram is the Arabic word for “forbidden” and includes any products which are deemed unhealthy or harmful to life.

Meat considered haram includes the following:

  • Swine (including pigs and boars). Such animals are considered unclean and carnivorous.
  • Birds of prey (For example, eagles and hawks)
  • Carnivorous animals (including alligators and bears)
  • Insects
  • Amphibians (such as frogs and salamanders)
  • Poisonous fish (including blowfish and jellyfish)
  • Any animal not slaughtered under halal regulations
  • Meat that contains blood

Other than swine and alligator, most animals considered haram are not popular with the general consumer. Thus, it’s fairly easy to avoid consuming these products.

Other food and drink products considered haram

Plants, drinks, and certain food additives can fall into the haram category as well. Toxic or poisonous plants are considered haram as they harm the body and can negatively impact quality of life. For example, fermented grapes and opium aren’t permissible under halal regulations.

Any minerals that could adversely impact the central nervous system or produce other harmful effects are also haram products. This pertains to other manufactured goods, such as petroleum jelly. However, most plants are halal.

Alcohol (ethyl alcohol) of any kind and in any quantity is haram as it can impair judgment and may have negative effects on overall health. Alcohol is never permissible — even in cooking processes. This aspect of haram includes products like sherry wine and beer-based soups. Non-alcoholic drinks deemed hazardous to health or that include haram ingredients may become haram.

Food additives are a bit harder to detect and require a consumer to carefully read the ingredients on restaurant menus and food labels. For example, many foods contain gelatin or food-coloring, both of which are animal by-products. Unless these additives have been halal-certified, they are haram and can cause an entire meal to become haram.

How to buy halal food?

The simplest way to know (with the highest fidelity) if a meal or product is halal is to know if it is halal certified. As there are a plethora of ways a product can become non-halal from packaging materials to additives, consumers may find it difficult to determine halal compliance

In order for pre-packaged food or food served at a restaurant to be considered halal, it must go through a certification process. In the U.S. and internationally, this certification can be completed through theAmerican Halal Foundation.

Can non-Muslims practice halal?

Many people from all faiths and lifestyles may adapt to the halal lifestyle. They may be attracted to the humane handling and slaughter of the animals and the benefits of clean eating. In other words, you do not have to be Muslim to eat halal. For Muslims, however, halal is not a voluntary choice but a lifestyle.

The health benefits of halal meat

Halal is a humane process for harvesting the animals used for food, which in turn, makes halal meat healthy. When livestock is raised in accordance with halal principles, consumers benefit physically and spiritually. The lack of blood in halal meat can improve taste as well.

The distinct differences between halal and haram food and meat help halal adherents to know what foods to avoid, and what foods they can embrace. However, halal meats can become haram if they have contact with haram food. It’s important to ensure any pre-packaged food and restaurant options are halal-certified before purchasing.

Knowing the difference between halal and haram foods becomes second nature to most Muslims. It is a way of eating and living that promotes spiritual and physical health in our bodies and communities.

Seek Halal Certification

Halal certification ensures products are produced, processed, and prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws, guaranteeing they meet the ethical, hygienic, and quality standards valued by halal consumers

If you’re managing a brand,AHF halal certificationcan help you join the ranks of trusted halal-certified brands.Contact the American Halal Foundation to learn more!

Related posts:

What is Dhabiha (Zabiha) in Islam and How is it Related to Halal?Is Kosher Halal: Can Muslims Eat Kosher?

What's the Difference Between Halal and Haram Meat & Food? (2024)

FAQs

What's the Difference Between Halal and Haram Meat & Food? ›

Haram: The opposite of halal, meaning "forbidden" or "unlawful." Haram foods are strictly prohibited for Muslims. Examples include pork and any animal not slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines.

What is the difference between halal and haram meats? ›

HALAL: This is an Arabic term which means permissible or lawful in Islam. In reference to food, it is the Islamic dietary standard, as prescribed in the Shari'ah (Islamic Law). HARAM: This is another Arabic term which means impermissible or unlawful in Islam. Meat is the most strictly regulated of the food groups.

What is the difference between halal meat and normal meat? ›

Halal meat is reared—and slaughtered—differently from regular meat. Halal meat is prepared following specific Islamic dietary laws, including a humane slaughter method. It ensures that cows, sheep, and other permissible animals are fed, raised, slaughtered, and prepared for consumption.

How to identify halal and haram meat? ›

Look for the Halal mark on the product. If it is present, you can be sure that the product is Halal certified and you may buy it. If there is no Halal mark, look for ingredients in the product which may include animal derivatives.

Who can't eat halal meat? ›

In Sikhism, the religious prescriptions forbid eating meat of animals that were slaughtered slowly or with religious ritual, which they refer to as kutha meat. This includes halal meat preparation.

Can Christians eat halal meat? ›

The Bible tells us who this meat is offered to in 1 Corinthians 10:20. So then, a Christian who is offered meat by his Muslim neighbor and told that it is halal, a) cannot eat it (1 Corinthians 10:28), but b) must decline without giving offence (1 Corinthians 10:32).

What food do Muslims not eat? ›

Forbidden food substances include alcohol, pork, carrion, the meat of carnivores, and animals that died due to illness, injury, stunning, poisoning, or slaughtering not in the name of God.

Can Muslims eat shrimp? ›

Any fish without scales are haram (forbidden) but fish that do have scales are permissible. Shia scholars tend to teach that no other aquatic creatures are halal, with the exception of certain edible aquatic crustaceans (i.e., shrimps but not crabs), which are also Halal like scaled fish.

Are eggs halal? ›

Fresh, whole eggs are suitable for Muslim consumption on condition that it has not been cross-mixed with any non-Halal ingredients.

Can Muslims have chocolate? ›

1. What is considered halal chocolate? Halal chocolate refers to chocolate that is produced according to Islamic dietary laws, free from any haram ingredients such as alcohol or animal-derived additives.

Does McDonald's serve halal meat? ›

“Does your food contain pork in any form, and is the meat Halal, in India” Hello! Our 100% pure and Halal meat is all sourced from approved suppliers who adhere to McDonald's stringent food quality and safety standards as well as globally-recognized Halal practices.

Are kosher and halal the same? ›

While both adhere to strict dietary laws, Halal meat follows Islamic principles, whereas Kosher meat complies with Jewish traditions. These differences include various aspects, including permissible animal species, slaughtering methods, and dietary restrictions.

What should I do if I accidentally ate haram food? ›

Repent for, and plead with Allah to forgive and don't repeat the same intentionally in future. A Muslim by birth. Ask forgiveness from Allah. Allah forgives because Allah is merciful.

What makes a meat halal? ›

For meat to be certified halal, it must be slaughtered in a manner known as dhabiha. That means cutting through the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe in order to drain all blood from the carcass. In Islam, the consumption of blood is considered haram.

Is halal slaughter painful? ›

Minimally painful and complete bleeding is required during halal slaughter, which is difficult to perform in large animals [69].

Can you tell if meat is halal? ›

For a meat to be certified halal it cannot be a forbidden cut (such as meat from hindquarters) or animal (such as pork) and it must be slaughtered in a specific way. Many Muslims can shop with ease at a local halal market, where all of the products are designated halal.

Why do Muslims prefer halal meat? ›

Reasons for Choosing Halal Meat

Islamic law mandates the humane treatment of animals, ensuring they are well cared for, fed a natural diet, and free from hormones and antibiotics. Humane Slaughter Process: Halal slaughter is believed to be more humane, focusing on minimising the animal's pain and stress.

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