‘Halal’

MARAWI is in the news these days, not in celebration of its culture or to announce its tourism industry. It’s a fresh wound in Mindanao, caused by the Maute group terrorist attack. So many lives have been lost and hunger is now eating up the floors, doors and windows in camps.

The media has called people to unite in sending relief goods such as halal food (also hallal or halaal) and halal non-food items such as sanitary kits. But maybe by the time this column comes out, the skirmish is over. I trudged on with this complicated word, however, because my nephew Pannon asked me what halal means.

I told him only what I know, and that it means something is permissible by traditional Islamic law. A little research though taught me that it is not that simple a law. It goes beyond just avoiding certain meats, or ways of dressing (show of skin is haram or forbidden). It is a system making sure that followers of Islam are protected and that behavior, food, even cosmetics are suitable. It is having the discipline to make the right choice between halal and haram.

This decision if further complicated by what Wikipedia calls “the five decisions: mandatory, recommended, neutral, reprehensible and forbidden.” Imagine having to think whether something is a must or just recommended. Or something is neutral. How do you know it is neutral?

Forbidden and reprehensible or unlawful acts and goods are clearer. They are strong warnings that something or someone’s way is contrary to what the Quran says.

According to halalfoodauthority, a Muslim should do the slaughtering of animals and not in a place where swine are killed, since pork is forbidden.

To make meat halal or permissible “animal or poultry must be slaughtered in a ritual way.” For it to become halal, blood from the animal must be thoroughly drained because blood is forbidden. What the Philippines now calls “double dead” meat from animals dead before slaughter are forbidden. Animals killed by strangulation or by a headlong fall are haram.

Perhaps, a child’s upbringing answers my earlier question. Parents teach their children what is neutral, right and good. I think this desire to do what’s right is applicable to all who believe there is a Power greater than man, and that parents are the first steps in raising people who believe in a lawful society.

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