What Is Halal?
Halal (حلال) is an Arabic term meaning "permissible" or "lawful" in Islamic law. It applies to food, drink, business practices, and many aspects of daily life.
Halal Food
For food to be halal, it must meet specific requirements:
- The animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim while invoking God's name (Bismillah)
- The blood must be fully drained from the animal
- Pork and its by-products are prohibited (haram)
- Alcohol is prohibited
- Certain other animals and their by-products are also restricted
Halal Beyond Food
Halal also applies to business practices (no interest/riba, no deception), entertainment, and personal conduct. Many Muslims seek to make all aspects of their lives halal-compliant.