In Islam, two terms, Halal and Haram, are frequently used to describe every subject. Halal is an Arabic word that means permissible, lawful, and unrestricted according to the laws of Allah, the Law-giver. It applies to all aspects of life, but it is generally used in connection with food products, food ingredients, cosmetics, personal care products, food contact materials, and meat products. On the other hand, Haraam means prohibited or unlawful, and anyone who engages in it will be liable for punishment in the Hereafter as well as in this world. If something is unclear, it is considered questionable or suspect, and additional information is required to determine whether it is Halal or Haram. If a Muslim consumes Haram items, they will be considered sinful.

In the context of food, the term “Halal” means that the food must meet certain requirements, which are as follows:

• It must not be derived from or contain any part of animals that are prohibited (such as pigs, carrion, or animals with claws, talons, or fangs) according to Islamic Law.
• It must not come into contact with or be stored near any forbidden or impure food as defined by Islamic Law during preparation, processing, manufacturing, packaging, storage, or transportation.
• If the food is from an animal source, the animal must be permissible and slaughtered according to Islamic Law, and not killed by strangulation or wild animals.
• The tools and utensils used for processing and manufacturing must be free from any impurities according to Islamic Law.
• The food, whether animal, vegetable, fruit or grain, must be healthy and free from any substance that is considered impure (such as alcohol) according to Islamic Law.

It is important to note that these requirements are not limited to food only, as the concept of “Halal” encompasses all aspects of life. However, in practice, the term is mainly used in relation to food products. Consuming foods that are not Halal is considered a sin for Muslims.