Halal is a word that anyone living in Muslim country will be familiar with. Arabic in origin, it refers to what is permissible for a Muslim under the laws of Islam. Most westerners understand halal to refer to food and drinks items, particularly meats.
Food and drinks items in Bali often have the halal symbol, as a guarantee they are suitable for Muslims. Most Muslim people will use products without the halal symbol too, such as soy sauce made in Singapore, or bbq sauce made in the US. The halal symbol assists in situations where there might be some doubt, such as a packet of sosi (sausages). Here is some more information on halal.
Halal the Word
The use of the term varies between Arabic-speaking communities and non-Arabic-speaking ones.
In Arabic-speaking countries, the term is used to describe anything permissible under Islamic law, in contrast to haraam, that which is forbidden. This includes behaviour, speech, dress, conduct, manner and dietary laws (listen to some aspects of halal).
In non-Arabic-speaking countries, the term is most commonly used in the narrower context of just Muslim dietary laws, especially where meat and poultry are concerned, though it can be used for the more general meaning as well. This dichotomy of usage is similar to the Hebrew term ‘kosher’.
Quranic Verses relating to Halal
In determining whether a food is halal or haraam (forbidden), various verses of the Quran (ayat) are frequently referenced:
The following verses are oft-cited when referring to alcohol and Islam:
Varying Forms of Halal
Muslims vary on what is required for food to be considered halal.
Dhabiĥa Halal (ذبيحة حلال)
Adherents to this philosophy maintain that in order for food to be considered halal, it must not be a forbidden substance and any meat must have been slaughtered according to traditional guidelines set forth by the Sunnah, known as dhabiĥa. This is the strictest definition of halal.
First type of “Bismillah” Halal
Some believe that the guidelines of Dhabiĥa do not necessarily need to be followed[citation needed] and reciting “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” (In the name of God , And God is the greatest) immediately preceding consumption renders the meat permissible. People who adhere to this type of halal generally do not partake in the consumption of forbidden substances. Defenders of this method declare that the Quran does not dictate that God’s (see Islamic concept of God) name must be taken prior to slaughtering the animal, it merely says in multiple places:
And eat not of that whereon Allah’s name hath not been mentioned..Quran 6:121
They also narrate a hadith in which Muhammad states “Mention Allah’s name on it and eat…” upon being questioned on how to deal with food that is not verifiably dhabiĥa.
Critics of this method claim that the text of the Quran and the hadith needs to be taken in perspective, and accuse defenders of this method of misinterpreting them. [11]
Halal and Kosher
Some believe that the word ‘kosher’ is an adequate replacement for ‘halal’, even though they are not identical. However, most Muslim and Jewish authorities believe the terms are not interchangeable. can be found at Comparison of Dhabiĥa Halal and Kashrut.
Explicitly Forbidden Substances
A variety of substances are considered forbidden (haraam) as per various Quranic verses:
•Pork, or any pig-based products
•Blood
•Animals slaughtered in the name of anyone but God (There is debate regarding the permissibility of meat slaughtered by Christians or Jews)
•Carrion
•’Fanged beasts of prey‘ as per the Sunnah, usually simplified to all carnivorous animals, with the exception of most fish and sea animals
•All intoxicants (specifically alcohol)
There is some disagreement among Muslims regarding seafood, especially predatory sea creatures. IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America) states, regarding the opinion of Islamic scholars.
•All are in agreement that fish with scales are halal
•Sunnis consider all fish to be halal, while Shias consider some fish haraam. Within Sunnis, there is a strong position that shellfish (shrimp, lobster, crab, clams, etc.) are prohibited. This is most prevalent in the Hanafi school but also has support among some Shafi’i and Maliki scholars.
•Most agree that frogs are haraam due to the prohibition of killing them in hadith.
•Fish found dead in water are haraam.
Dhabiĥa (method used to slaughter animals)
The conventional method of slaughtering all animals, excluding fish and most sea life, is known as dhabiĥa (ذَبِيْحَة), often pronounced by non-Arabs as zabiha. It involves severing the major arteries in the neck of the animal, as well as the esophagus and trachea, with one swipe of a non-serrated blade.
Criticisms of Dhabiĥa Halal
Some object to dhabiĥa halal and believe that it causes unnecessary suffering to the animal which is not stunned before slaughter.
Advocates for dhabiĥa halal contend that this method of slaughter is actually more humane than the modern method of stunning before slaughter.
In Bali people seem quite relaxed as to the halal / haram question relating to food. Some food places such as the Padang warungs are always run by Muslim people. A typical warung may not strictly follow the rules involving killing the animal and indeed will probably buy the meat from a supermarket. Satay vendors usually cook just one type of meat, making it easy for locals to identify what kind it is. In Indonesia many Muslims enjoy a drink and will often say alcohol is okay as long as you don’t abuse it.
Back in the early 80′s KFC in Malaysia was losing business after McDonalds claimed it wasn’t killing the chickens in the halal manner. Some say that obtaining the halal stamp in Indonesia sometimes requires a bit ‘negotiation’. One of Indonesia’s favourite products Bintang beer, does not carry carry the halal symbol and is not likely to in the near future.
