What is Halal Meat?
The word “Halal” means permissible. Therefore, halal meat is prepared as prescribed by Islamic law, making it permissible for a Muslim to consume. Three conditions must be met for meat to be considered halaal:
There are 3 mandatory conditions:
Condition # 1: Using a sharp tool
Most of the four veins (including the Jugular vein, according to some of the scholars of Islamic Jurisprudence) must be cut using a sharp knife, blade, or any tool with a cutting edge.
Condition # 2: Saying the Tasmiya (Bismillah)
The name of Allah must be pronounced at the time of slaughtering, whether actually or effectively (such as when it is forgotten by someone who would normally have said it).
Allah (SWT) says: “Eat not of (meats) over which Allah’s name has not been pronounced. That would be sinful (fisq).” (Surah al-An’am, 121). From this verse, it is clearly deduced that animals that are not slaughtered in Allah’s name are unlawful to consume. All of the jurists from the 4 madhahib (schools of thought) hold this opinion. An exception is found with certain jurists and only on the condition that the tasmiyah was left out unintentionally. Imam As-Shafi’i (RA) does say in his book “al-Umm” that even if it is done intentionally, it is still lawful to consume; however, this is only if the individual is not habitual in doing so (Kitab al-Umm, 2/227)
Condition # 3: The Butcher is Muslim or from Ahl al-Kitab
The slaughterer must be either a Muslim or from the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab). However, if condition number 2 is taken into consideration, the slaughterer cannot be any individual from ahl al-Kitab. It has to be an ahl al-Kitab who believes in the oneness of Allah and pronounces Allah’s name at the time of slaughter. Therefore, an Ahl al-Kitab individual who is involved in shirk (e.g., A Christian who believes that Jesus is God) would not be considered due to the risk of a name besides Allah’s name being mentioned at the time of slaughter, which would deem the meat unlawful (See: al-Haskafi and Ibn Abidin in Radd al-Muhtar ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar).
Allah Most High says:
“O people! Eat of what is in the earth, Halal and Pure, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, for you he is an open enemy.” (Surah al-Baqarah, 168)