1. Halal is an Islamic term which means lawful, permissible or legal. The opposite of Halal is Haram which means unlawful or prohibited.
2. 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:
3. 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)
4. "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)
5. "Eat of that which Allah hath provided for you lawful and good; but fear Allah, in Whom ye believe." (Al Maidah: 88)

As long as there is no authentic statement from the Quran or the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him, that a particular thing is forbidden, then it is considered Halal" Therefore, the following products are definitely Halal:

1. Milk (from cows, buffalos, sheep, camels, and goats)
2. Honey
3. Fish
4. Plants which are not intoxicant
5. Fresh or naturally frozen vegetables
6. Fresh or dried fruits
7. Legumes and nuts like peanuts, cashew nuts, hazel nuts, walnuts, etc.
8. Grains such as wheat, rice, rye, barley, oat, etc.

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. :

List of Haram MATERIAL (Main Haram Elements)

> Pigs, boars, dogs and their generation.
> Carnivorous animals with claws and fangs such as lions, tigers, bears, snakes, monkeys and other similar animals.
> Birds of prey with claws such as eagles, vultures, and other similar birds.
> Pests such as rats, centipedes, scorpions and other similar animals.
> Animals forbidden to be killed in Islam, i.e., ants, bees and woodpecker birds.
> 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 frogs, crocodiles and other similar animals.
> Mules and domestic donkeys.
> All poisonous and hazardous aquatic animals.
> Any other animals not slaughtered according to Islamic Law.
> Dead animals due to strangulation, a blow to the head (as in clubbing), a headlong fall, natural causes (carrion), being gored or attacked by another animal.
> Blood.
> Part(s) of human body or by-product such as placenta.
> Any thing liquid or solid came out from human or animal hollow such as urine, faeces, vomit and pus.
> Intoxicating and hazardous plants except where the toxin or hazard can be eliminated during processing.
> Alcoholic drinks (Wine, Ethyl Alcohol, and Spirits.
> All forms of intoxicating and hazardous drinks.
> All food additives derived from above Items.
> Any intoxicating and hazardous chemicals or natural mineral.
5. "Eat of that which Allah hath provided for you lawful and good; but fear Allah, in Whom ye believe." (Al Maidah: 88)

While many things are clearly Halal or clearly Haram, there are some things that are still vague and more information is needed. These items are often referred to as Mashbooh, which means "doubtful" or "questionable". Let us take food additives, the most common thing that we usually encounter in our daily lives, as an example. Food additives such as gelatin, enzymes, emulsifiers, etc (E code) can be derived from the source of animal or plants. The question is, if the source is from an animal origin, is the animal being slaughtered according to the Islamic Rites (Zabiha)? If it is not Zabiha, then the food containing these additives would be Haram too.

More often than not, the source of these food additives is not known. Therefore, to be safe, one should always guard himself against things on the borderline (Mushtabahat). In other words, as a good and pious Muslim, if the food contains Mashbooh items, it should be avoided. Such a practice is very much in line with the Prophet's (peace be upon him) Sunnah as being described in the Hadith below:

What is Halal is clear and what is Haram is clear. Midway between them there are things which many people do not know whether they are Halal or Haram. He who keeps away from them will protect his religion and be saved. He who approaches them will be very near to Haram, like a herdsman wandering near Hima (the place set by the king to be used by his cattle only), who could soon fall into this protected area. Surely for every king there is such a protected area and God's is what He declared forbidden".

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