What does halal mean?

The Arabic word Halal (حلال) means permissible, lawful, and allowed according to Islamic law (Shariah).

Halal is not simply a dietary requirement—it is a comprehensive way of life that guides Muslims in making ethical, wholesome, and responsible choices in all aspects of daily living.

Haram refers to anything that has been expressly prohibited by Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (peace be upon him). Examples include:

• Pork and pork-derived ingredients
• Alcohol and intoxicants
• Animals not slaughtered according to Islamic requirements
• Fraud, theft, bribery, and dishonesty
• Interest-based exploitation (Riba)
• Any activity that causes harm to individuals, society, or the environment

Muslims are encouraged to seek what is Halal and avoid what is Haram as an act of faith, obedience, and personal integrity.

1. The Quran (holy book of the Muslims)
2. The Sunnah (Teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through his words and actions)
3. The consensus of the Muslim Community
4. Analogy, based on the primary sources of Islam as explained by recognized Islamic scholars.

وَكُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي أَنْتُمْ بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾

“And eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear Allah, in whom you are believers.”

(Quran 5:88)

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

“Then eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.”

(Quran 16:114)

While Halal food is the most widely recognized aspect of Halal, the concept extends far beyond food and beverages. Halal principles influence: Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Finance, Clothing, Tourism & Hospitality last but not least Business & Trade. In essence, Halal encourages a lifestyle built on responsibility, ethics, cleanliness, and respect for human well-being.

Stunning

The basis of Islamic slaughter is that the animal is slaughtered without any form of stunning. Islamic scholars indicate, however, that an anesthetic is allowed to a certain extent and in special cases, namely when there is impotence or when the quality or animal welfare is at stake.

In all cases, the anesthesia should be reversible. There must be a guarantee that the animal will continue to live after the stunning and will not die.

The main conditions of halal slaughter are:

• The animal must be originally clean. The animal must comply with universal and moral health values.
• The animal must be treated humanely. Also, the animal must be alive during the slaughter and the name of Allah (God, the Creator of the universe) must be mentioned over the animal.
• The animal is slaughtered through a cut on the neck by an Islamic skilled butcher. The animal should also be given sufficient time to bleed out before continuing processing.