Many Muslims keep arguing about
what they call ‘Halaal meat’ without even knowing the Qur’anic criteria. Most of
those who reach the USA or Europe from other countries, or those who convert to
Islam in the Western countries, are usually confronted by some Muslims, “Do not
eat but the Halaal meat.” What do they really mean by Halaal meat? Nothing
Qur’anic!
Most importantly, let us not equate Halaal with Zabeeha. The word ZABEEHA does
not even appear in the Qur’an. God knew in His infinite Wisdom that the ways of
slaughtering would keep changing with time.
16:115 He only prohibits for you the dead animal, blood, and swine-flesh and
anything that has been dedicated to other than God….
16:116 Do not keep uttering in falsehood, “This is lawful and this is unlawful”,
thus inventing lies against God. Those who fabricate lies against God, fail to
prosper in their own ‘self’.
The upholding of any prohibitions not specifically mentioned in the Qur’an is
nothing but idolatry. Such man-made restrictions represent some other god(s)
beside God. If we obey God alone, we will uphold His laws alone and honor only
His commandments. God very clearly mentions in the Qur’an what is prohibited
from the food and meat.
2:173 He has forbidden you: dead meat (carrion), blood, swine-flesh, and
anything (NOT JUST MEAT) that has been dedicated to other than God (be it a
person, an idol or a tomb 5:3) …)
In addition to ignorance, the term “Halaal Meat” is a term often used for
profits. Those calling their meat Halaal, are actually claiming that any other
meat is not Halaal. And that the meat sold in the general groceries
(supermarkets in the West) is not Halaal. They make more money on their products
by selling it expensive. Ordinary Muslims get deceived that their meat is the
only Halaal meat for them. God Almighty always knew that many Muslims would be
living among People of the Book and sharing their food and for this reason God
stated the following:
5:5 “Today, all good food is made lawful for you. The food of the People of the
Book) is Lawful (HALAAL) for you……”
BEFORE EATING: God Almighty has also specified a simple criterion for His
servants. Mention God’s Name on EVERYTHING you are going to eat. See 5:4, &
6:118-119.
6:119 Why should you refuse to eat on which God’s Name has been pronounced (i.e.
it is dedicated to Him alone)?
NOT BEFORE SLAUGHTERING: Muslims have substituted God’s command (mentioning His
Name on food before eating it) by a non-Qur’anic condition of their own making.
They have made slaughtering (ZABEEHA) the ONLY lawful method of killing an
animal for its meat. There is absolutely no such restriction in the Qur’an. As a
result of this man-made restriction, the Mullah-minded Muslims and meat
merchants insist that the Name of God must be mentioned on it before
slaughtering an animal. The following observations prove that this imposed
restriction is false and that it is non-Qur’anic:
01. The first reason is that unless you have slaughtered the animal yourself,
you cannot be sure that the Name of God has been mentioned on the animal.
Therefore, the only choice available is to mention God’s Name before eating.
02. Another reason behind mentioning God’s Name on our food before eating is
appreciation:
16:114 So enjoy all the lawful and decent THINGS which God has provided for you.
And be grateful for God’s bounty if it is Him you truly serve.
This act of appreciation for God’s blessings would not be genuine and heartfelt
if we rely on someone else taking God’s Name somewhere in the slaughter house.
03. By reading 16:114, we note that the command of uttering God’s Name is
related to whatever we eat, ANYTHING, and not just meat. This includes fruit,
vegetables, or even snacks like cookies, biscuits or peanuts etc. Should we
slaughter fruit, cookies and peanuts? So, the only way to obey God’s law is to
take His Name before eating all foods.
04. Verse 5:5 makes it clear that God has made it Lawful for us to eat the food
of People of the Book (Jews, Christians). As the Christians in particular do not
take God’s Name before slaughtering, their food is still lawful for us. This can
only mean that the duty is laid on each of us before eating our food and nothing
else.
BLOOD: Muslims need to recall that People of the Book also consider blood as
Forbidden. Whichever way the animal is killed for consumption, its blood either
drains out or lodges in its veins. This blood is automatically removed during
washing the meat. See that happen in a chicken you buy from a Christian merchant
or from a Muslim pushing for ‘Zabeeha’ meat.
A HADITH DISCARDED: The Hadith lovers even discard Imam Bukhari here: Sahaba
Kiraam asked the Prophet, “People bring us meat and we do not know if God’s Name
has been mentioned on it.”
The Prophet (S) replied, “Say BISMILLAH and eat it.”
courtesy
Dr. Shabbir Ahmed