Halal is a word of Arabic origin that means "lawful", it is used in the Islamic community to refer to all those actions and foods that are allowed by the Muslim religion. This term is not only used to refer to food, but it is also applied to day to day; therefore, something considered halal can be beneficial and healthy for humans.
However, in communities where Arabic is not spoken, this word is limited only to Islamic food laws, especially everything related to red meat and poultry.
Ultimately, for Muslims who abide by the rules, they understand halal as a lifestyle, according to their level of religiosity, a comprehensive concept that encompasses all daily activities such as food, clothing, hygiene, health, economy.
The opposite of halal is haram, which means illegal, prohibited and harmful.
Any food must be free of any illegal substance or ingredient (haram), or of any component that is derived from a prohibited animal. It must be a product manufactured, manufactured or stored according to Islamic regulations. In the case of meat, it must come from non-prohibited animals that must be slaughtered in accordance with the provisions of Islamic law.
Many of the animal meats have been textually prohibited by the verses of the Koran. As expressed by the sacred text, these meats are considered harmful to the human species and that is why they should not be consumed. The meats considered dangerous are: pork; all animal meat that has been slaughtered in the name of someone other than Allah; meat containing blood; the meat of any animal that has died by strangulation, blows, falls or attacked by another beast; in addition to alcohol and other toxins.
For the meat to be considered halal, the slaughter of the animal must be carried out through a quick incision in the throat, cutting the jugular vein and the carotid artery, leaving the spine intact. The purpose of this technique is to achieve a greater drainage of the blood and consequently, a greater hygiene in the meat, in addition to reducing the pain and agony of the animal. This reflects a stricter interpretation of halal.
Fish is considered halal. If it is from a farm, the fish must be fed halal food. On the other hand, birds (chicken, turkey, etc.) without claws and that are not scavengers, are allowed.
As for halal clothing, it must be obtained by lawful means, it must not be usurped and comply with the conditions established by the sharia, which dictates that clothing must not be pure silk for men. Clothing must not reveal the body or demarcate it excessively.
