Halal Meat-The Quranic Truth
by unknown Author

In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Many Muslims talk about what they call "Halal Meat" without even knowing their Quranic criteria. Most of those who arrive to the USA from other countries, or those who convert to Islam (Submission) in this country, are usually faced by some Muslims who tell them, "do not eat but the 'Halal meat' ." They usually mean their wrong concept of what is Halal meat.

The Quran teaches that God is extremely displeased with those who prohibit anything that was not specifically prohibited in the Quran, See 16:112-116. The upholding of any prohibitions not specifically mentioned in the Quran is tantamount to idolatry, See 6:142-152. Such prohibitions represent some other god (s) beside God. If you worship God Alone, you will uphold His teachings ALONE and honor the commandments and prohibitions instituted by HIM ALONE.

God very clearly mentioned in the Quran what is prohibited from the food and meat. See 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and16:115. From these verses you can know what is Halal (lawful) meat and what is haram (prohibited).

"He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die
of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful." [2:173]

"Halal Meat" as we know it these days, is a term used more often for commercial profits than religious observance. Those who call their meat Halal, are in some way insinuating that any other meat is not Halal, or specifically the meat in the general grocery stores is not Halal. They make more money on their products by selling it more expensive while deceiving the naive public Moslems into believing that their meat is the only Halal meat for the Muslims.

You do not need to guess hard to understand the MERCY of the MOST merciful. God Almighty knows many Muslims will be living in the middle of Christians and Jews and will be sharing their food and for this reason God told the Prophet Muhammed more than 1400 years ago, the following;

"Today, all good food is made lawful for you. The food of the people of the scripture (Jews & Christians) is LAWFUL (HALAL) for you......" 5:5

These verses were revealed at a time when God already told us that the people of the scripture distorted their books and no-one can claim this verse was meant for the early Jews and Christians. God Almighty has also specified a very important criteria for His true believers, MENTION GOD"S NAME on everything you are going to eat. See 5:4, & 6:118-119,

"You shall eat from that upon which God's name has been pronounced, if you truly believe in His revelation." 6:118

"Why should you NOT eat from that upon which God's name
has been mentioned ? He has DETAILED for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are forced. Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of the transgressors." 6:119

God in these verses puts the responsibility, as usual, on the individual.

It is you , I and everyone's responsibility to mention God's name on everything we eat. Notice here that God says "EAT" and not "SLAUGHTER" when it comes to mentioning His name. God knows that one day these slaughter houses will be run by machines and computers. He assigned the responsibility to every true Muslim tomention His name on his /her food.

We can have machines say Azan and read Basmallah and mention God's name on everything, but this would not take away the responsibility of every individual to remember God and mention His name when it is time to eat. Individuals can be idol-worshipers and work in the slaughter house while claiming to be Muslims, Jews or Christians. That is your responsibility to mention God's name before eating. In brief, the slaughter house does not make the meat halal or haram but you do.

God did not make distinction between the meat prepared by a Muslim, Christian, or a Jew, all are lawful to the same degree, all are HALAL. All should be eaten after God's name is pronounced on it before you eat it. Making it difficult for yourself, by driving miles to look for the so called "Halal Meat" is just another disbelief in God's book and the refusal to observe His permission to us to eat the food of the Christians and Jews.

If you do not accept God's permission, you should re-evaluate your beliefs and understanding of Islam (Submission in English). People who do not believe God in His own book are in reality disbelievers in Him. Those who believe Him in the Quran accept His permission to eat the food of the people of the scriptures and enjoy it and appreciate the mercy of the Most Merciful.