At the Shariah Council of the United States, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of Islamic dietary laws. Our Halal verification process ensures that food and products comply strictly with the principles of Shariah, providing clarity and assurance to all consumers.
What is Halal?
ما هو الحلال؟
“Halal” (حلال) means “permissible” in Arabic. It refers to anything allowed under Islamic law as defined by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. When it comes to food, Halal specifically addresses what can be consumed and how it must be prepared.
Halal Slaughter Process (ذبح شرعي)
The process of making meat Halal (حلال) involves Dhabihah (ذبیحہ), a specific method of slaughter outlined by Islamic law. For an animal to be Halal, the following steps must be adhered to:
- Tasmiyah (تسمیہ) – Before slaughtering, it is obligatory to say Bismillah Allahu Akbar (بسم الله الله أكبر), invoking the name of Allah.
- Slaughtering (ذبح) – The animal must be slaughtered by cutting the trachea (حلقوم), esophagus (مري), and the jugular veins (الأوردة الوداجية) in a swift action. This ensures that the blood is drained out of the body, as consuming blood is prohibited (حرام).
- The Person Slaughtering – The individual performing the slaughter must be a Muslim of sound mind and faith, following the proper Islamic procedures.
What Makes Something Haram?
ما يجعل شيئا حراماً؟
It is critical to note that even if meat is slaughtered according to Shariah, the source of the income used to purchase Halal meat must also be Halal. Earnings from prohibited (حرام) activities, such as:
- Selling alcohol (العمل في بيع الكحول)
- Dealing in gambling (القمار)
- Engaging in usury or interest-based transactions (الربا)
- Income from unethical or forbidden trades (الدخل من الأعمال غير المشروعة)
will render any Halal purchase invalid. For example, buying Halal meat with money earned from selling alcohol or gambling is considered Haram.
Halal Certification
شهادة الحلال
At the Shariah Council, we are dedicated to serving the Muslim community by providing Halal certification in accordance with the purest intentions. We are not in competition with any other Halal group, board, or council, and we firmly believe that staying away from conflict and controversy is essential for a true believer. إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ – “Indeed, actions are judged by intentions” (Hadith, Sahih Bukhari). Our goal is not to challenge anyone’s authority, but to serve as a guide for those who seek clarity in this important matter.
We ensure that:
- Hand-Slaughtered Only: We certify meat that has been hand-slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines. Machine-slaughtered meat or products are not certified by us to avoid any doubts or controversies.
- Confidentiality: We respect the privacy of the businesses we certify and do not publicly list Halal locations. All certificate verifications are handled privately through email requests.
Report Concerns
تقديم الشكاوى
If you encounter any concerns or violations regarding our certified Halal businesses, please report them to us at [email protected]
Your feedback helps us ensure the integrity of the Halal certification process.
Thank you for choosing to maintain your dietary practices in accordance with Islamic teachings. Together, we can uphold the purity and ethics of Halal.