Halal is not the same as vegetarian

[MRT]

Voted thread of the Week - Ist July 2005

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Why Halal is not Vegetarian Diet
Abdul Malik Mujahid


As Muslims in the West are becoming more prominent as a consumer group, different non-Muslim businesses and interest groups are making an effort to profit from this opportunity. United Airlines now offers Hindu meals to those Muslims who ask for Halal food. Similarly Kosher offering businessmen have made an effort to get Muslim inmates to eat Kosher instead of Halal, arguing that it is okay for Muslims to consume that. Recently, Muslim objections to McDonald's French Fries class action settlements were rejected by judge on the ground that Muslims did not file a lawsuit against McDonald's; meanwhile he allocated some cy pres funds for them from the Vegetarian allocation. Some Vegetarian and Muslim groups are appealing the settlement on these grounds. It is, therefore, important for all parties to understand how Halal is different from different Vegetarian dietary practices.

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Message edited to include 'thread of the week' title.

[MRT]

Halal is not Vegetarian:

Halal is a set of Islamic dietary laws guided by the Quran and the teachings of Allah's prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him.

The source of the dietary decision is the major difference in the Halal diet of Muslims and vegetarianism. Vegetarians' decisions are essentially made by human beings because of health concerns or ideological opposition to eating animals, or in case of Hindu Vegetarians, these are set of rules historically evolved and ordained by multiple gods. Whereas the decisions regarding what is halal in Islam is given to us by our Creator as conveyed to us by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Unlike most vegetarians, it is permissible for Muslims to eat meat of certain animals as long as they are slaughtered by Muslims after due permission from God by invoking certain phrases according to the rules specified by God's messenger, peace be upon him.

Vegetarians allow an ingredient in their dietary practices that separate them from Halal, and that is alcohol. Alcohol is usually found in dressings, sauces and in vanilla flavoring. Many Vegetarian recipes call for wine as ingredient. Even the smallest amount of alcohol is forbidden for Muslims.

Hindu faith based vegetarianism prohibits the use of many vegetables for men of certain castes. For example garlic and onions, which are not prohibited in Islam.
"Garlic, leeks and onions, mushrooms and (all plants), springing from impure (substances), are unfit to be eaten by twice-born men [Brahmins and two other top castes in Indian social system]." The Laws of Manu, translated by G. Buhiler, P. 170, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, India 1979 print under UNESCO Collection of Representative works, Indian Series..

Hindu faith based vegetarianism promotes the use of cow urine, but it is prohibited in Islamic rules of Halal. The Indian government of Gujarat led by Hindu religious government is heavily promoting the consumption of cow urine.

See the story Julian West in New Delhi, A gift from the gods: bottled cow's urine, daily Telegraph, London: 02/09/2001

Most vegetarians do not eat fish, while it is permissible for Muslims to eat fish. Some vegetarians do not eat eggs while Muslims consider that to be Halal.

Not as strict as the Kosher diet rules, but Muslim rules of Halal food are a unique set. It does have similarity with vegetarian or kosher diets in some areas but not in all areas. In the absence of the availability of Halal food, a Muslim is allowed to eat anything which does not include things that are prohibited in Islam. In an extreme situation where there is no choice and it may be a question of life and death, a Muslim can eat even prohibited items only as much as to sustain life with no desire to disobey God.

It is welcoming trend that many people in the food industry are pushing their products to pass as Halal because of growing domestic market for halal in the US and Canada, but also because of export to the other countries where Halal import is a big business. These trends are welcoming and point to the urgent need for Halal groups to work with Vegetarians, Kosher groups, and Organic advocates to collectively enhance the common agenda of healthy diet for all the society.

However, it is also important for Muslims to continue to assert that Halal is a distinct set of dietary rules which should be recognized by all the businesses which we patronize. Since many of the 54 Muslim countries import food items from the US, it is financially beneficial for American food industry to learn about Halal rules and abide by them.

[khadimSI]

Very interesting Mr T. So 'suitable for vegetarians' or the famous 'V' sign is not sufficient for muslims when buying food products. It is equally important to look out for other ingredients rendered haram in islam yet may not necessarily be animal based. Hence the call for a 'H' sign for halal products is paramount.

Whilst were on the subject can any member advise me if the wrigleys chewing gum is permissible. Though the ingredients clearly state non animal based glycerin some one told me that due to the shortage of the plant extract glycerin derivative they have once more reverted to using the animal based stuff, but have not altered the ingredient as it may only be a temporary measure. Now this information was passed on to me by a muslim newsagent who had been told by a third party. Prior to this news i used to chew gum quite often as it helped to keep the breath fresh and certain types are meant to be healthy for the teeth and gums.

[Qadiri Ashrafi]

khadimsi said:

Very interesting Mr T. So 'suitable for vegetarians' or the famous 'V' sign is not sufficient for muslims when buying food products. It is equally important to look out for other ingredients rendered haram in islam yet may not necessarily be animal based. Hence the call for a 'H' sign for halal products is paramount.

Whilst were on the subject can any member advise me if the wrigleys chewing gum is permissible. Though the ingredients clearly state non animal based glycerin some one told me that due to the shortage of the plant extract glycerin derivative they have once more reverted to using the animal based stuff, but have not altered the ingredient as it may only be a temporary measure. Now this information was passed on to me by a muslim newsagent who had been told by a third party. Prior to this news i used to chew gum quite often as it helped to keep the breath fresh and certain types are meant to be healthy for the teeth and gums.

Just been reading up on this.

The wrigleys website is a bit vague, they dont have an ingredients section and this is the only related info i could find.

Softeners
Glycerin and other vegetable oil products help to blend the ingredients and keep the gum soft and flexible by retaining the proper amount of moisture.

There is no detail or update on their official site. My advice would be to steer clear use alternative halal gum until someone can prove its halalness. If in doubt ....

[Mohammed Khan]

Hindu faith based vegetarianism prohibits the use of many vegetables for men of certain castes. For example garlic and onions, which are not prohibited in Islam.
"Garlic, leeks and onions, mushrooms and (all plants), springing from impure (substances), are unfit to be eaten by twice-born men [Brahmins and two other top castes in Indian social system]."

What !!

Well i thought worshipping elephants, idols with 26 arms was bad ....

[Javed]

mohammedkahn said:

Hindu faith based vegetarianism prohibits the use of many vegetables for men of certain castes. For example garlic and onions, which are not prohibited in Islam.
"Garlic, leeks and onions, mushrooms and (all plants), springing from impure (substances), are unfit to be eaten by twice-born men [Brahmins and two other top castes in Indian social system]."

What !!

Well i thought worshipping elephants, idols with 26 arms was bad ....

lol

[Akhtar Hussain]

Vegetarians allow an ingredient in their dietary practices that separate them from Halal, and that is alcohol. Alcohol is usually found in dressings, sauces and in vanilla flavoring. Many Vegetarian recipes call for wine as ingredient. Even the smallest amount of alcohol is forbidden for Muslims.

Some very good points !

[Abdul Rafiq]

A good thread. It has opened my eyes.

Maybe under the circumstances it would be safer to stick to vegans food as they are totally against any trace of meat, flavouring, etc.

Have you also noticed that this and organic food comes at a price, the most expensive foods are the ones that we are actually allowed to eat ... why is that ? You would have thought it would cost less to produce less ingredients, less additives etc

[MRT]

abdulrafiq said:

A good thread. It has opened my eyes.

Maybe under the circumstances it would be safer to stick to vegans food as they are totally against any trace of meat, flavouring, etc.

Have you also noticed that this and organic food comes at a price, the most expensive foods are the ones that we are actually allowed to eat ... why is that ? You would have thought it would cost less to produce less ingredients, less additives etc

Irs called consumerism

[furqaan]

I read this thread a few days ago but did not have time to reply.
A good thread and a lot of awareness is needed, as your post shows Mr.T.
We Muslims are being fooled, by the V sign.

Vegans would still use alcohol, so the way forward is for the Muslim federation of Britain to put a bill through, to have the stamp 'Halal' made law and used as the sign V is for vegetarians, and make sure it is approved by the Muslim of federation society, so no businesses could misuse the sign for financial profit.

[star]

mrt said:

Halal is not Vegetarian:


Vegetarians allow an ingredient in their dietary practices that separate them from Halal, and that is alcohol. Alcohol is usually found in dressings, sauces and in vanilla flavoring. Many Vegetarian recipes call for wine as ingredient. Even the smallest amount of alcohol is forbidden for Muslims.

Hindu faith based vegetarianism promotes the use of cow urine, but it is prohibited in Islamic rules of Halal. The Indian government of Gujarat led by Hindu religious government is heavily promoting the consumption of cow urine.

That is shocking !
I an a vegetarian.

[Inayat786]

Some excellent points on this topic. I have many non-muslim friends (may allah tallah give them guidance to see the true path) and they automatically presume that because I don't eat meat when I go to my meetings that I am a vegetarian. I think sometimes muslim brothers and sisters take the easy route by saying that they are vegetarian instead of explaining the real value of why we refrain from eating non-halal products. Alot of my colleagues at work thought being a muslim meant you had to be vegetarian as this was the IMPRESSION that was given to them.

Excellent stuff, I am really enjoying learning myself!!!

[Jamil]

inayat786 said:

Some excellent points on this topic. I have many non-muslim friends (may allah tallah give them guidance to see the true path) and they automatically presume that because I don't eat meat when I go to my meetings that I am a vegetarian. I think sometimes muslim brothers and sisters take the easy route by saying that they are vegetarian instead of explaining the real value of why we refrain from eating non-halal products. Alot of my colleagues at work thought being a muslim meant you had to be vegetarian as this was the IMPRESSION that was given to them.

Excellent stuff, I am really enjoying learning myself!!!

A very good point, its almost as if they are embarrased to say they are proud to be Muslim ?

[Bashir786]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

wHY DO MUSLIMS NEED TO GO RESTAURANTS AND BUY FOREIGN FOOD FROM SUPERMARKETS ? WE HAVE A RICH TRADITION OF MEAT, FOODS, VEGATABLES, FRUITS AND SPICES , NO-ONE SHOULD BE IN A POSITION OF DOUBTING WHAT TO EAT OR NOT ?

STICK TO WHAT YOU KNOW IS MY MOTTO!

[Humbled]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Its not just pacakged food on its own. Think about fast food restauranst, all those shops selling Halal fried chicken and beef and the like. All those fast food restaurants, all those chickens, you think they really have the time to say Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem before slaugthering every single chicken

[ahmedabad]

moyeen said:

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Its not just pacakged food on its own. Think about fast food restauranst, all those shops selling Halal fried chicken and beef and the like. All those fast food restaurants, all those chickens, you think they really have the time to say Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem before slaugthering every single chicken

No we shall never know ?

More importantly do these shops and restaurants trust their suppliers ?

Its best to stick to what we know and who we trust.