The Halal Times

Global Halal, Islamic Finance News At Your Fingertips

The Halal Times Manual of Style and Usage

Welcome to The Halal Times, a digital news outlet dedicated to delivering accurate, respectful, and insightful coverage of the global Halal industry, Muslim communities, ethical business practices, cultural narratives, and related topics. Our mission is to inform and empower our diverse audience—encompassing the global Muslim ummah and those interested in ethical and Halal lifestyles—with reliable, culturally sensitive journalism that fosters understanding and counters stereotypes.

This style guide is for potential authors, contributors, and freelancers submitting content to The Halal Times. It establishes clear, precise, and professional writing standards, adapted for our Islamic media context. We draw inspiration from resources like the Religion Stylebook, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Journalist’s Guide to Reporting on Islam and Muslims, and The Cognate’s Muslim Media Style Guide to ensure cultural accuracy, inclusivity, and respect for Islamic traditions.

Key adaptations for The Halal Times include specialized terminology for Halal and Islamic concepts, emphasizing diversity within the Muslim world, and a focus on ethical, Sharia-compliant reporting. Notably, the word ALLAH must always be written in all caps as ALLAH to show reverence, and references to Prophet Muhammad must include the honorific “صلى الله عليه وسلم” (Salal Lahu Alaihi Wasallim) in Arabic after his name. We prioritize original, fact-checked content that avoids bias and promotes positive representation. All submissions must be exclusive to The Halal Times unless negotiated otherwise. We edit for adherence to this guide, grammar, and length, consulting you on major changes.

For questions, contact our editor at [editor@halaltimes.com]. This guide will be updated periodically on our website.

1. General Writing Principles

Clarity and Conciseness

  • Write straightforward, powerful prose using active voice to engage readers (e.g., “The Halal certification increased sales by 20 percent” rather than “Sales were increased by the Halal certification”).

  • Be concise yet informative: Target 500–800 words for news articles and 800–1,500 for features. Avoid redundancy; aim for sentences averaging 20–25 words.

  • Audience Consideration: Write for an informed global readership, including Muslims and non-Muslims interested in Halal topics. Define specialized terms on first use (e.g., “Riba, the Islamic prohibition on interest…”).

Tone and Voice

  • Objective and Respectful: Maintain neutrality in news reporting while being empathetic and inclusive in our Islamic media niche. Avoid sensationalism (e.g., no “Halal takeover” for market expansions; instead, “Halal sector growth reflects ethical consumer demand”).

  • Cultural Sensitivity for Islamic Media: Portray Islam and Halal practices as diverse and integral to modern life. Use language that humanizes subjects and avoids stereotypes (e.g., “Many Muslim women wear the hijab as an expression of faith and identity” rather than implying universality). For opinion pieces, label them clearly and include balanced perspectives.

  • Inclusivity: Employ gender-neutral terms (e.g., “humankind”). Represent the full spectrum of Muslim experiences: Sunni, Shia, Sufi, and regional variations (e.g., South Asian, African, Western diasporas); include voices from women, youth, and underrepresented groups where relevant and appropriate.

Ethical Considerations for Islamic Media

  • Uphold fairness by presenting multiple viewpoints, especially on sensitive issues like Halal certification controversies or interfaith dialogues. In our niche, consult Islamic scholars or community leaders for context on religious matters to ensure accuracy and respect.

2. Grammar, Punctuation, and Formatting

Adhere to the following rules, tailored for The Halal Times digital and niche focus.

Grammar

  • Numbers: Spell out whole numbers from one through nine (e.g., “one million Muslims”); use numerals for 10 and above (e.g., “10 percent growth in Halal exports”). For ages, use numerals (e.g., “a 25-year-old entrepreneur”). Exceptions include percentages (e.g., “15 percent”), dimensions (e.g., “6 feet tall”), and sums of money (e.g., “$5 billion Halal market”).

  • Dates: Format as month day, year, with the month abbreviated if over four letters (e.g., “Sept. 8, 2025”). For days: “Monday, Sept. 8.” Omit “in” before months when no day is given (e.g., “in September 2025”).

  • Times: Use numerals with a.m. or p.m., lowercase with periods (e.g., “9 a.m.”). For ranges: “9 to 10 a.m.” or “9–10 a.m.” using an en dash.

  • Abbreviations: Use periods for certain acronyms (e.g., “U.S.,” “I.S.N.A.” for Islamic Society of North America). Spell out on first reference (e.g., “Islamic Society of North America (I.S.N.A.)”), then abbreviate. Avoid abbreviations in headlines.

Punctuation

  • Serial (Oxford) Comma: Always use before the last item in a series (e.g., “halal, kosher, and ethical certifications”) for clarity.

  • Quotations: Enclose direct quotes in double quotation marks; use single marks for quotes within quotes. Place periods and commas inside closing quotes. For block quotes (over 50 words), indent without quotes.

  • Hyphens and Dashes: Hyphenate compound adjectives (e.g., “Sharia-compliant finance”). Use en dashes for ranges (e.g., “2020–2025 Halal trends”) and em dashes—without spaces—for interruptions (e.g., “The fatwa—issued by scholars—clarified the ruling”).

  • Possessives: Add “‘s” to singular nouns ending in “s” (e.g., “James’s company,” “the witness’s testimony”). For plurals ending in “s,” use apostrophe only (e.g., “the companies’ profits”). In Islamic contexts: “Prophet Muhammad’s صلى الله عليه وسلم teachings.”

Formatting

  • Headlines: Use title case, capitalizing all words except articles, prepositions under four letters, and conjunctions unless they start or end the headline (e.g., “Halal Market Reaches $2 Trillion Amid Ethical Boom”). Keep concise, under 8–10 words; use active verbs.

  • Subheads: Sentence case (capitalize only the first word and proper nouns, e.g., “Drivers of Halal growth in Europe”).

  • Bylines: “By [Author Name]” followed by a brief bio if applicable (e.g., “Freelance Journalist Focusing on Islamic Finance”).

  • Lists: Use bullets or numbers for clarity; maintain parallel structure.

  • Hyperlinks and Digital Elements: Embed inline (e.g., “Explore Sharia-compliant investing here”). For The Halal Times, include alt text for images describing Islamic visuals sensitively.

3. Spelling and Capitalization

  • Use American English (e.g., “color,” “realize”).

  • Capitalization: Lowercase job titles unless preceding a name (e.g., “the imam spoke; Imam Ahmed addressed the congregation”). Capitalize proper nouns and formal titles in Islamic contexts (e.g., “Quran,” “Five Pillars of Islam”).

  • For The Halal Times Islamic Media: Capitalize “Muslim” and “Islam” as proper nouns. The word ALLAH must always be written in all caps as ALLAH to show reverence, as per our house style inspired by traditional Islamic typographic conventions (e.g., “Muslims believe in ALLAH as the one God”).

4. Niche Terminology: Islamic and Halal-Specific Terms

Use these standardized terms for accuracy and respect, defining them on first use if needed. Consult the Religion Stylebook or CAIR guidelines for nuances.

Key Islamic Terms

  • ALLAH: Always in all caps as ALLAH, the Arabic name for God (the monotheistic deity shared with Judaism and Christianity). Use ALLAH in direct quotes from Muslims or Islamic texts; otherwise, “God” for broader accessibility (e.g., “ALLAH is merciful, as stated in the Quran”).

  • Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم: Full name with the Arabic honorific “صلى الله عليه وسلم” (Salal Lahu Alaihi Wasallim) on every reference, including subsequent mentions, to show respect (e.g., “Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said…”). Never depict visually or abbreviate disrespectfully.

  • Quran: Capitalize; Islam’s holy scripture (avoid “Koran”).

  • Hadith: Sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم; plural: ahadith.

  • Hijab: Modest head covering; distinguish from niqab (face veil) or burqa (full covering).

  • Sharia: Islamic law derived from Quran and Hadith (not “Sharia law”).

  • Jihad: Primarily “struggle” (personal or communal); specify context to avoid misuse (e.g., “inner jihad for self-improvement”).

  • Fatwa: Scholarly religious opinion.

  • Zakat: Obligatory almsgiving (one of the Five Pillars).

  • Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca; plural: hujjaj.

  • Ramadan: Fasting month; ends with Eid al-Fitr.

  • Eid al-Adha: Festival of Sacrifice.

  • Masjid: Preferred for place of worship (over “mosque” in Islamic contexts).

  • Imam: Prayer leader or scholar (lowercase unless a title, e.g., “Imam Fatima”).

  • Islamophobia: Prejudice against Islam or Muslims—use judiciously with evidence.

Halal-Specific Terms

  • Halal: Lowercase as adjective/noun (e.g., “halal meat,” “halal finance”); means “permissible” under Islamic law.

  • Haram: Forbidden (e.g., “alcohol is haram”).

  • Zabiha: Ritual Islamic slaughter for meat.

  • Tayyib: “Wholesome” or “pure,” often alongside halal for ethical standards.

  • Sharia-Compliant: For finance and business (e.g., avoiding riba—usury/interest).

For unfamiliar terms, query the editor to ensure respectful usage in our Islamic media niche.

5. Headlines, Quotes, and Attribution

Headlines

  • Engaging and informative; avoid puns unless culturally appropriate for our niche (e.g., “ALLAH’s Guidance: New Fatwa on Digital Finance”).

Quotes

  • Attribute immediately and accurately (e.g., ” ‘Halal is more than food—it’s ethics,’ said Dr. Aisha Rahman”). Use sparingly; paraphrase for clarity.

Attribution and Sourcing

  • Attribute all facts (e.g., “per a 2025 World Halal Forum report”). Use diverse, credible sources, including Global South perspectives for our audience. Anonymous sources only with editor approval, justified by public interest (e.g., protecting a Halal whistleblower).

6. Fact-Checking, Ethics, and Sourcing

  • Fact-Checking: Verify every claim with multiple sources. For Halal topics, cross-reference with certifiers like IFANCA or AAOIFI. Issue prominent corrections.

  • Ethics: Disclose conflicts (e.g., affiliations with Halal businesses). Label sponsored content. In Islamic media, respect religious sensitivities—obtain consent for community interviews and avoid during prayer times.

  • Sourcing: Prioritize primary sources; include underrepresented voices (e.g., female Halal entrepreneurs). Balance coverage on divisive issues like sectarian matters.

7. Visuals, Multimedia, and Digital Elements

  • Images/Videos: Credit fully; ensure modesty and no depictions of ALLAH or Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. Captions: Descriptive and neutral (e.g., “Worshippers at Eid prayers in Jakarta”).

  • Multimedia: Suggest infographics on Halal trends. Transcribe audio for accessibility.

  • SEO for The Halal Times: Incorporate keywords like “Islamic finance news” naturally.

8. Submission Guidelines

  • Format: Google Docs or Word; 12-pt Times New Roman, double-spaced.

  • Length: As specified; include proposed headline and subheads.

  • Process: Editor review for style and facts; revisions within 24–48 hours.

  • Payment: [TBD, e.g., $0.15/word for approved pieces].

  • Rights: First publication rights to The Halal Times; you retain copyright.

Thank you for contributing to The Halal Times. By aligning with our standards and Islamic focus, we elevate ethical journalism in the Halal space.

Last Updated: September 8, 2025