Fatwas concerning Halal and Hiram

[Benst]

I hope this doesn't come across as a silly question, but I've often wondered about this. I'm not a Muslim, but living in Toronto I had many Muslim friends from all over the place...and we would often go out to meals, and some would choose to follow halal and some would scarf down their bacon sandwiches!

So, with dietary restrictions, I understand that what is considered halal and hiram is grounded in the Qu'ran and for some groups also the Sunna and Hadith. I'm curious what mechanisms are there for deciding what is considered okay and what isn't?

The event that made me wonder was: I went out to dinner to an experimental restaurant that had a very exotic menu. I'm talking alligator kebobs, turtle soup, kangaroo burgers, black bear steaks, etc,. We all ate happily until my frind Omar asked if all of the exotic food was considered halal and they all had a discussion on it, but wasn't sure.

Now, I know in Judaism what is considered Kosher comes down to interpreting a set of conditions in the Torah and Tanakh, and in Catholicism at times in history creatures like Beavers and Capybaras (two large, semi-aquatic rodents) were considered to be fish so that they could be eaten on fridays when Catholics are only supposed to eat fish. In Islam, when a new animal that is not explicitly spoken of in the Qu'ran but that could be a food source is found...is there basically just a decision by a single or group of Imams as to whether it's considered halal and then it is just accepted across the Muslim world? Or is it regionally based... how does this work? Are fatwas then sent out and taken up by people as a matter of choice?

 

[Pastek]

In the Quran, the only haram animal is the pig.
But i've heard there's some animals we shouldn't eat too like horses, monkeys, donkeys, cats, dogs, rats, eagles ... (not from Quran)

is there basically just a decision by a single or group of Imams as to whether it's considered halal and then it is just accepted across the Muslim world? Or is it regionally based... how does this work?

Some scholars have talked about it, they sometimes disagree like in the Maliki school all the seafood is ok, and in other schools not all seafood is halal.
But the majority of muslims will generally just stop at the interdiction of pork, and of course some animals that we are all disgusted to eat like cats, dogs, monkeys ...

 

[Benst]

Ahh I see. It makes sense that culture would make some items less than appetizing. I thought perhaps there was restrictions similar to Kosher where only animals that chew their own cud..etc,. Would it then come down to slaughtering, and properly bled animals, etc,.?

 

[Pastek]

Would it then come down to slaughtering, and properly bled animals, etc,.?

Yes, this is exactly that, and we must say "in the name of God" (bismillah) before slaughtering. You maybe know that kosher is also accepted by muslims, halal is less strict.

Here the verse from the Quran :

5.3 Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah , and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows.

The verse 2.173 add : (...) But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him.

In verse 6.145 and 16.115 same instructions.

 

[Assad91]

I'd eat monkey. Yum yum



Jkjk

 

[SfynCitizen]

In terms of what we consume, the general rule is that everything is halal unless there is reason to believe that it is haraam. What you consume can either be haraam because of what it is (eg pork/alcohol) or because of how it was obtained (not slaughtered the proper way/stolen/dishonesty involved/etc).

Fatwas are opinions by Scholars who form their opinions based on their knowledge of the religious texts. Opinions may differ (though there are rulings where all scholars agree on) and there is no blame upon someone who might follow a different opinion than the one I follow. At the end of the day we are striving to live in a way that is pleasing to God to the best of our knowledge and ability.

 

[DawudTalut]

Peace be on you.
Some Resources:

https://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/?page=70&region=EN&CR=

https://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/?page=235&region=EN&CR=


https://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/?page=219&region=E1&CR=EN,E2&CR=EN,E2

https://www.alislam.org/v/k-Halal_Food.html

https://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/?page=542&region=EN&CR=

https://www.alislam.org/v/k-1.html

"The term "halal" means "that which is lawful for you"; thus halal meat is that which has been slaughtered in the name of Allah, and has had the blood drained out from it. The term "haram" means that which is unlawful for you, and includes blood, pork and alcohol. Allah has further commanded that you eat only what is "tayyab," that is, food that is good and wholesome. Something may be halal, but it may not be tayyab, and thus should be avoided. Islam teaches that the condition of the body affects the condition of the spirit, and thus great care should be taken to keep one's body healthy and fit. Islam further teaches that all food should be taken in moderation, and nothing should be indulged into excess. "
Source:https://www.alislam.org/books/pathwaytoparadise/LAJ-chp4.htm

https://www.alislam.org/v/2430.html

https://www.alislam.org/r.php?q=dietry law