W h a t  i s  H a l a l ?

Halal is an Islamic term which means lawful, permissible or legal. The opposite of Halal is Haram which means unlawful or prohibited.

In the Holy Quran, Allah has commanded Muslims and all Mankind to eat and live on Halal and Tayyib (Pure, Clean, Wholesome, Nourishing and Pleasing to the taste) things. Among the many verses of the Quran that convey this message, here are a few:

“O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the Evil One, for he is to you an avowed enemy.” (Al-Baqarah: 168)

“O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah)! Eat of the good things that We have provided you, and be grateful to Allah if it is (indeed) He Whom you worship”. (Al-Baqarah: 172)

“Eat of that which Allah hath provided for you lawful and good; but fear Allah, in Whom ye believe.” (Al Maidah: 88)

haram food
halal food

W h a t  i s  H a r a m ?

Haram is the opposite of Halal, which means unlawful. The Following items have been categorically spelled out as being Haram by jurists in light of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.).

Haram (Unlawful) Items (Main Haram Elements)

• Pigs, Boars, Dogs and their generation.
• Carnivorous animals with claws and fangs such as Lion, Tiger, Bear, Snake, Monkey and other similar animals.
• Birds of prey with claws such as Eagle, Vulture and other similar birds.
• Pests such as Rat, Centipedes, Scorpion and other similar pests.
• Animals which are considered repulsive generally like lice, flies, maggots and other similar animals.
• Animals that live both on land and in water (amphibians) such as Frog, Crocodile and other similar animals. Mules and domestic donkeys.