Introduction
Halal and Haram are the terms that are taken in accordance with the concept of lawful or permissible and prohibited or forbidden respectively. Halal is the consumption or any Human life values, actions and behavior. On the other hand, Haram is anything or any action or value that is prohibited or forbidden in Islam.
What is Halal?
In Islamic tradition, the concept of Halal and Haram play a vital role in guiding the beliefs and actions of Muslims. All the Muslims accept Halal and Haram according to the Islamic law or Sharia. The terms of Halal and Haram are not just taken to the limitation of food but they also plays a role in the aspects of life as Muslim are connected to the moral principles of their faith.
What is Haram?
Halal, in terms of Islam, is considered the thing that is lawful and is not forbidden by Islam. While, Haram is the antonym of Halal and this is said to be Haram if it is forbidden by the Islamic law and principles. Halal is not only about food but it also includes the various fields of life.
In opposite of Halal, Haram is the thing that is forbidden by the Islamic law and is considered not good for use or to apply in life. It can be said that Haram is also the area include that is prohibited by Islam not to cross anyway. Haram is not a good value therefore Islam forbade them to use and apply in life fields.
Types of Halal
There are four types of Halal that are distinguished by
Islamic followers:
• Wajib/Fard (Compulsory)
• Mustahab/Mandub (permissible but suggested)
· •Mubah/ Ja’iz ( neutral)
•Mukruh/Karahah (allowed but not suggested)
wajib:
Actions that are compulsory in Islam and someone who is unable to perform these Actions then it is considered a sin. For example, Namaz, fasting during Ramzan, to give Zakat etc.
Mustahab:
These are the actions that are recommended by Islam and Islam give rewards for performing them but there is no punishment if someone not performing them. For example showing respect to elders, deeds of charity and voluntary fasting.
Mubah:
It includes the actions or deeds that are not encouraged or discouraged by Islamic laws and not considered legal or illegal. For example, everyday actions that are not especially addressed in religious texts.
Makruh:
These are actions that are allowed but are not suggested by Islamic laws. Regular performance of these tasks might lead to sin and or not punishable. For example many manners of eating and behavior as well as many of our habits are disliked but they are not punish according to Islamic laws.
Requirements for Halal meat
Halal criteria address several different areas that have major emphasis on nutrition, for example, Halal food need to fulfill certain requirements.
Slaughter:
Animals used to make Halal meat must be killed according to strict guidelines. As they take the animals life the individual carrying out the slaughter should call up Allah Saying BISMILLAH.
Prohibited Ingredients:
There is no alcohol or pork products are found in the prohibited substances that are called Halal food.
Animal Restrictions:
Islam some of the animals are totally forbidden or prohibited as they are not good or not considered Halal such as pork.
Processing:
There are no Haram materials or pots used in the preparation of Halal food and all this process.
Haram:
Is it just taken as opposite word of Halal. It includes all the things that are violated by Islamic laws such as behavior and objects. Some typical instances of Haram include.
Pork:
Because of the ugly and impurity they are forbidden in Islam and are considered Haram.
Alcohol:
Alcohol can cloud judgment and it also encourages the immoral behavior so it is also forbidden in Islam and it is called Haram.
Riba:
Riba is also forbidden in Islam as it contains the prohibited laws of Islam because of the interest pay on any transaction in our daily charges.
Gambling:
As gambling highlights the immoral and financial corruption therefore this game is forbidden by Islam and not appreciated.
Relationships:
Some of the relations such as sex before marriage are also considered Haram in Islam as they are examples of unlawful and forbidden rules of Islam and Islamic laws.
Why Does Islam Forbid Haram Food or Animals?
It’s important to realize that the ideas of Haram and Halal are taken by the Muslims in their lives according to the Islam and therefore people think that Halal food is a good way to stay clean and harmful things are possibly not protecting them from the meat because food is a way to tell them that Halal and Haram concepts are whether in accordance with the healthy and clean body and soul. In Quran Allah also has ordered people not to use the meat of some animals that contains blood and bacteria that cause health risk for example pork and some predators etc.
There is a beautiful verse of Quran tells:
“They ask thee (O Muhammad) what is made lawful for them. Say: (all) good things are made lawful for you. And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained, ye teach them that which Allah taught you; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah’s name upon it, and observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is swift to take account” (5:4)
It is also said:
“Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swine-flesh, and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild beasts, Saving that which ye make lawful (by the death-stroke), and that which hath been immolated unto idols. And (forbidden is it) that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination. This day are those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; so fear them not, fears me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed my favor unto you and have chosen for you as religion Al-Islam. Whoso is forced by hunger, not by will, to sin: (for him) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful” (5:3)
Examples of Halal Foods:
In Islam, there are many types of meat that are eaten by the Muslims. The Muslims slaughter them and also eat them as they are Halal for them. For example, meat of lamb beef, goat and chicken all are Halal. Fish and eggs are also considered Halal. Muslims slaughter these animals in a manner and they do not brutally killed them and shed blood.
In scientific point of view, the animals blood is drained from their artists and ejecting their toxins because their heart remain alive after slaughter for some seconds. Blood is drained from their bodies and living the meat tougher and drier.
In contrast of Halal, Haram products include meat of pork, carrions and bloods, alcohols etc. Muslims are forbidden from these types of meats but there are also many other things such as gambling, interest, fortune telling, killing, lying, cheating and abusing others. Haram things also include premarital sex relations, neighbors mistreating, disrespecting parents and being greedy etc.
Conclusion:
Putting all the above details in a nutshell, we can say that wrong, ugly and prohibited things in Islam are Haram and in it’s opposite side Halal is clean, soft and permissible. The concept of Halal and Haram not only include eatable things but also all the life fields around which life is moving. There are many things Halal and Haram in Islam that are clearly described in it’s laws to spend our lives and enjoy a healthy and wealthy life.