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Halal Is Sufficient And Haram Is Superfluous

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Halal And Haram

One of the beauties of Islam is that it has prohibited only such things as are unnecessary and dispensable, while providing alternatives which are better and which give greater ease and comfort to human beings. This point has been explained by Ibn al-Qayyim.

Allah has prohibited seeking omens by drawing lots but has provided the alternative of istikhara which is a supplication for Allah’s guidance.

Allah has prohibited usury but has encouraged profitable trade. Allah has prohibited gambling but has permitted betting on forms of competition which are useful for their (the Muslims) religious striving, such as horse or camel racing and competing in marksmanship. Allah has prohibited (to men) the wearing of silk but has given them the choice of other materials such as wool, linen and cotton.

Allah has prohibited adultery, fornication and homosexuality but has encouraged lawful marriage. Allah has prohibited intoxicating drinks in order that everyone may enjoy other delicious drinks which are wholesome for the body and mind. And Allah has prohibited unclean food but provides alternative wholesome food.

Thus, when we survey the Islamic injunctions in their totality, we find that if Allah limits the choice of His servants in relation to some things, Allah provides them with a still wider range of more wholesome alternatives in relation to other things not to make peoples’ lives difficult, narrow and circumscribed; on the contrary; Allah desires ease, goodness, guidance and mercy for all, according to His saying:

Allah desires to make clear to you and to guide you to the ways of the (righteous) people before you and to turn to you in mercy; and Allah is Knowing, Wise. And Allah desires to lighten your burden, for man was created weak. (4:26-28)

Another Islamic principle is that if something is prohibited, anything which leads to it is likewise prohibited. By this means Islam intends to block all avenues leading to what is haram. For example, as Islam has prohibited sex outside marriage, it has also prohibited anything which leads to it or makes it attractive, such as seductive clothing, private meetings and casual mixing between men and women, the depiction of nudity, pornographic literature, obscene songs and so on.

Accordingly, Muslim jurists have established the criterion that whatever is conducive to or leads toward the haram is itself haram. A similar principle is that the sin of the haram is not limited only to the person who engages in it but extends to others who have supported him in this, materially or morally; each is held accountable according to his share. For example, in the case of intoxicating drinks, the Prophet (peace be on him) cursed not only the one who drinks them but also the one who produces them, the one who serves them, the one to whom they are served, the one to whom the price of them is paid, etc.

Again, in the matter of usury, the Prophet (peace be on him) cursed the one who pays it, the one to whom it is paid, the one who writes the contract and the one who acts as a witness thereto. Accordingly, we derive the rule that anything which assists in the doing of what is haram is itself haram, and anyone who helps another person to do it shares in the sin of it.

Originally published on http://newsinfo.inquirer.net

Australia: Halal Food Dishing Out Radical Change In Society

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Australia: Halal Food Dishing Out Radical Change In Society

HALAL food is now sold at a dozen McDonald’s restaurants and bacon is off the menu at some KFC outlets to accommodate the religious sensitivities of Australia’s growing Muslim population.

The Muslim population has soared by 40 per cent to 476,291 in just five years – paving the way for a building program of schools, mosques and prayer rooms in the suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne.

Even the country’s biggest sports stadiums, including ANZ Stadium and the MCG, have moved to offer multi-faith prayer rooms for devout Muslims.

A KFC spokesman yesterday said three of its restaurants, including two at Bankstown and Punchbowl, are certified to sell halal food prepared in a way that is acceptable to Muslims.

“KFC is mindful of responding to customer demand and cultural sensitivities in a balanced way,” the spokesman said.

Eight McDonald’s restaurants in Sydney and four in Melbourne offer halal food but, unlike some KFC outlets, they have not taken bacon off the menu.

“We are pleased to be able to offer halal menu items in restaurants where there is strong demand from the local community,” media relations manager Skye Oxenham-Lupul said.

“Our halal restaurants also provide non-halal menu items, however modified storage and food preparation procedures have been implemented to ensure that correct segregation is maintained.”

Figures from the 2011 census show a long-term decline in the number of Australians who identify as Christians – down from 89 per cent in 1976 to 61 per cent in 2011.

But it is the push for official recognition of sharia law that worried many Australians who made submissions to the federal parliamentary inquiry into multiculturalism.

More than 200 submissions to the inquiry raised concerns about or discussed the question of Islam in Australia.

Originally published on http://halalfocus.net

USA: Finding Halal Food In New York – Where To Go?

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New York City has it all. Dazzling and bright, the city is a hub for fashion, finance, media, culture as well as art and is a must-visit location on every traveller’s list. There’s something on offer in New York for any type of traveller – Muslim travellers included.

With over 300 Halal food stalls and restaurants in New York to choose from, the problem that most Muslim travellers face is not finding access to Halal food, but rather, having to limit their options to a few spots from the hundreds on offer. The question arises – what are the best places for Halal food in the city? Why choose a particular restaurant or food stall over another?

In USA: Finding Halal food in New York we can help to narrow down the hunt for the best restaurant and to assist travel planning, some of the finest Halal restaurants and food stalls in New York have been listed below.

In New York, food stalls and food carts are most popular choice for Halal food. Carts serving Halal food are scattered throughout the city and offer a scrumptious range of the city’s finest and most delicious Halal street food. Cuisine range from Indian to Pakistani to Afghan to West African to Persian food.

Arguably, the most famous spot for Halal food in New York is at a food stall called The Halal Guys. Around the area, it is also known as Chicken and Rice, 53rd and 6th or Platters. The stand is located by the side of the 53rd Street and 6th Avenue in the Theater District of New York City and offers a tantalizing assortment of cheap, but delicious, Halal food. The Chicken & Rice dish is a hot favourite!

Sammy’s Halal Food is another food stall known for serving mouthwatering Halal fare. Located at 73rd and Broadway in Jackson Heights, Queens, the food served at the stall is a celebration of the perfect blend of various sauces and flavours. The food is inexpensive and is ideal for a quick lunch or dinner.

Visitors may also try the King of Falafel and Shawarma, located in Astoria, Queens. The popular food stall serves a sizzling variety of Halal fare, with platters of chicken, shawarmas, kebabs, falafel and wraps being amongst the favourites of many. The stall has also won several awards in the past and offers good value for money to travellers who are mindful of their budgets.

In addition to the food stalls, several Halal restaurants are located across the city. Junoon, Bukhara Grill and Chola are three of the best restaurants in New York famed for serving authentic Halal Indian cuisine, while Almayass is a fantastic restaurant for traditional Lebanese fare. In addition to the fantastic food, these venues are particularly famous for their elegant and enchanting atmospheres, which are ideal for private dinners or family gatherings.

New York also offers numerous vegetarian restaurants. Dirt Candy, Angelica Kitchen, Quintessence, Blossom, Candle Cafe, Gobo and Candle 79 are a few exquisite restaurants in New York serving delightful vegan food. Interestingly, a number of Halal Chinese restaurants that cater specifically to Muslim travelers are also spread across the city.

Though all the above-mentioned restaurants have claimed to serve Halal food, it is always possible to have a quick chat with the staff about the preparation of food, when in doubt. An abundance of pizza outlets and fast food chains are also available throughout the city.

Finding Halal food in New York will not be a problem, if you know where to go. There will never be a shortage of options.

Originally published in halalfocus.net

Halal Meat Consumers Urged To Consider Animal Welfare

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The owners of one of the UK’s first halal organic farms are calling on British Muslims to become more aware about where their meat comes from.

Halal Meat Consumers Urged To Consider Animal Welfare. Willowbrook Farm in Hampton Gay, Oxfordshire, spans 45 acres (18 hectares) of land. Everything produced, from the goose eggs to the grass-fed lamb, is organic.

The Radwan family decided to set up the business in 2002 after becoming disillusioned with the lack of organic meat options available to Muslims.

“We felt neither the welfare side of taking care of animals or the ritual side of mentioning God’s name was observed very well in the modern food industry,” said Lutfi, a former geography lecturer, who spent a year inspecting farms in Sudan.

He had dreamt of rearing his own animals and crops, bringing together his religious values and love of nature.

“We’ve established Willowbrook on what we believe are Islamic principles, which are very close to the ideas of organic, sustainable and environmentally sound practices,” he added.

The UK halal meat market is estimated to be worth about £3bn. Muslims make up less than 5% of the British population but eat more than 20% of all red meat produced in England.

Lutfi’s wife Ruby also works on the farm with their five children. She believes her faith promotes moderation, including when it comes to food.

“We don’t have to eat meat every day,” she said. “Islam is a completely holistic religion. It’s about eating something as natural as possible to protect the rights of the animal, the environment and your health.”

A 2012 study found almost one in three Muslims ate meat at every meal – more than their non-Muslim counterparts.

Ruby feels most halal meat on the market is not up to the required Islamic standard because of the way in which animals are bred, treated and, ultimately, slaughtered.

She said: “It’s not possible to buy six kebabs for one pound, it’s just not going to happen. That’s not halal. We spend money on all sorts of things like big cars and televisions, that all costs. It’s all about prioritising.”

Halal meat is defined as meat slaughtered by hand and blessed by the person doing the killing, however, some Muslims believe a mechanised form is also now acceptable. Animals bred on Willowbrook farm are taken to a local halal abattoir, where the family oversee the slaughtering process.

Lutfi and Ruby’s twenty-year-old son, Khalil, helps manage the farm. He says he will continue to follow in his parents footsteps and only eat halal organic meat.

“It’s wholesome and conforms more with morals and ethics,” he said. “Not just Islamic values, but for everyone, regardless of whether they follow a particular religion or not.”

About 70 million chickens were slaughtered in the UK in December 2013 alone. Lutfi believes over-farming of animals can lead to them being bred in poor conditions.

“It’s really like a concentration camp,” he said. “Chickens can be crammed into dense conditions where there’s a lot of suffering or can simply be thrown away as they’re breeding so many.

“But the end product – the customer is distanced from it. They don’t see it until it’s wrapped in a plastic bag and handed to them.”

Lutfi hopes Muslims will think more about where their meat comes from and the conditions in which animals are raised.

He said: “The Prophet Muhammad forbade eating food when the animal was abused. If that’s the case, we have to look at what’s happening around us. We can’t just close our eyes.”

Originally published on www.bbc.com

 

US Law Aims To Boost Halal, Kosher Food For The Poor

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us-lawDETROIT:  US Law Aims To Boost Halal, Kosher Food For The Poor.  For the first time, the federal government is required to purchase and provide food banks emergency supplies of kosher or halal products, serving a population whose survival could otherwise be at odds with strictures of faith.

The void was first revealed in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which wreaked havoc on the East Coast in the fall of 2012 and led to food shortages for those most in need.

A Jewish philanthropic organization in New York alerted lawmakers to the rising numbers of people coming to its food banks and often finding shelves devoid of kosher offerings. That led to legislation aimed at boosting emergency supplies for food prepared in accordance with Jewish and Muslim dietary rules, and, after some unsuccessful attempts at passage, the measure was tucked into the sweeping federal farm bill signed into law in February.

“This amendment is going to go a long way toward ensuring that folks who are struggling to get by … don’t have to choose between religious beliefs and putting food on the table,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, a New York Democrat who worked on the measure. “No one should have to make those kinds of decisions.”

Federal agriculture officials now must implement the novel law, which requires them to buy food prepared in accordance with the faiths’ dietary rules but isn’t more expensive than regularly produced food. Then, it must be tracked through the distribution chain and properly labeled to ensure it gets to food bank operators and meets the needs of their clients.

The U.S. Agriculture Department’s challenges include gauging the demand and finding vendors that can supply the appropriate amount of food to keep it cost-neutral.

“These are the factors that affect the feasibility of being able to get foods in the program,” USDA spokeswoman Brooke Hardison said. “This is a process that’s going to take some time.”

Both kosher and halal refer to centuries-old dietary codes of each religion. Kosher describes foods that meet laws based in the Old Testament on what is fit for people to eat. The dietary laws predominantly deal with three issues: Some animals like cattle and finned fish are allowed, while others like pork and shellfish aren’t. Blood must be drawn out of meat before it’s eaten. Meat and milk can’t be mixed.

The general understanding for halal is that products shouldn’t be contaminated with pork or alcohol and that livestock is slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law. Similar to kosher practices, Islam requires the animal is killed with a single slash to the throat while alive. It’s intended as a way for animals to die swiftly and minimize pain.

Demand for kosher food is high in the New York metropolitan area, and both the New York and Detroit areas are major centers of halal consumption.

The USDA currently buys some kosher and halal foods but not in an organized, regulated fashion. It’s hard to know how soon the full effort can launch or how successful it will be, but a test run that predates the Farm Bill’s passage is underway.

The New York City-based Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, which says it operates the nation’s largest kosher food pantry, expressed a desire to distribute kosher canned salmon. Agriculture officials say market research suggests the price should be comparable to non-kosher salmon already offered to the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the agency expects to start deliveries in July.

The Jewish philanthropic organization, which worked with lawmakers on the farm bill provision, praised the government’s efforts but acknowledged it won’t meet every need. Chief executive David Frankel believes some items, such as canned vegetables and tuna, will be available but he doesn’t expect chicken to meet the price requirement because it’s more labor intensive.

“We recognize it would be hard to ask the government to go out and buy more expensive food,” said Frankel, who oversees a pantry that provides food packages to 15,000 households each month.

The reach of one of the nation’s few charitable organizations exclusively providing halal food to the poor could be greatly expanded under the new federal provision.

Zaman International Inc. is based in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, which has a large Muslim population. Its regular food delivery and pantry services, which have provided about 250 tons of hot and dry food since 2010 and serves about 150 families with a monthly food box and vouchers, currently receives no federal support, but executive director Najah Bazzy said she will apply.

“It would be huge — a lot of our budget goes to halal meat and chicken,” Bazzy said. She noted high-protein meats, poultry and grains “aren’t the highest priority” for those served by the 10-year-old organization.

“For me, having the halal meat — if it could be given to us through the right vendors — really opens the opportunity for … giving people access to the total food pyramid,” she said.

Solomon Braude, 65, of Brooklyn has been a recipient at a Metropolitan Council food pantry since 2000, when he suffered two heart attacks. The Ukrainian immigrant said he’s grateful for the pantry and doesn’t focus on what might be in short supply.

“I can’t choose the food — it’s help,” he said. “They give the package (and I say), ‘It’s food, thank you and God bless America.”

Originally published on HalalFocus.net