Culture of Halal and Haram

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Jahanshah Rashidian
by Jahanshah Rashidian
03-Nov-2007
 

If you walk at random in any Muslim district in Europe, you will certainly find somewhere, at least in one corner, an Islamic butchery with the word ”halal” written on its shop-window. For the products of meat, the word “halal” is a badge of Islamic quality.

Muslims believe that since blood is not ritually a pure substance, slaughter is necessary to inhibit the thorough draining of all of the animal's blood. Furthermore, the verse” Bismillah al Rahman Al Rahim”, in the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful, is necessary to render the meat halal or lawful to eat.

The word halal refers, here, to meat killed and prepared in line with Islamic dietary laws. Jewish and Islamic religions demand that slaughter is carried out with a cut to the throat or neck.

By extension, halal means anything permissible under Islamic law, in contrast to haram, that which is forbidden. This includes behaviour, speech, dress, conduct. The term is also used to judge the right of sexuality after marriage, even temporarily marriage (Sigheh), or of own female slave or even rape of female non Muslim prisoner of war—in this light, many political female prisoners of the IRI who were considered “non-Muslims”, were ”legally” raped by their Islamist torturers before being executed.

In an further extended sense, halal means fairness of business dealings or other types of transaction or activity. Therefore, it represents values that are held in high regard by Muslims. It contains standards for social norms, morals, foods and other services that meet Islamic regulations. Needless to mention, in Islamic countries, these are the only available standards for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Slaughter is an old tradition of Jewish and Islamic clan society. As a matter of best practice, the killed animal is supposed to be distributed among the members of the clan right after being slaughtered. So each family can often have fresh meat to eat. Like many other religious traditions, this tradition was also accepted as a dogma.

Slaughter reminds us of an old instinct of pre-historic hominoid, to which a prey must be killed by the hunter—the instinct can be seen by a great number of beasts of prey. In another perspective, we see a characteristic disposition of this instinct beyond "Sharia" (Islamic laws) that beheading and amputation of the accused would resemble routine rituals--blood of the accused is figuratively considered as halal, or permitted, and the executer does a halal job.

In this perspective, halal blood can be also a reason for honour killing in the Islamic societies. Honour killing is committed by male family members against female family members, who are perceived to have brought dishonour upon the family. A female can be targeted by her family for a variety of reasons, including: refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, having sex outside marriage, or even being the victim of a sexual assault.

Halal or haram have nothing to do with prophylactic, hygienic, precautions or medical meaning. To better understand halal, we must see what its opposite term “haram” means. Haram has roots in revulsion which is an old instinct of evolution. Revulsion is a sense of loathing without any logical reason or clear explanation. As an instinct, it was a necessary reaction of early human beings when exposed to an unknown food, unknown object, or an unconventional situation.

Object of revulsion is culturally conditioned. It means whatever is repulsive for the members of a given society do not necessarily provoke the same feeling for others. In other words, the terms like halal, haram and negis are nothing but the instinctive reflections, which were integrated into Islam.

In many cases, Islamic commandments and rituals are not only the traditional reflections of desert dwellers of pre-Islamic Arabia, but also based on the Prophet Muhammad’s habits, his sexual preferences, his favourite things, and his dietary habits.

Since sexuality is taboo in Islam, sexual organs, vaginal secretion and sperm are considered as “negis” (loathing and impure), therefore they should not be touched. Blood and any slimy substance secreted by a mucous membrane of the body have more or less a similar sense of negis. Needless to mention, all these secreted or mucous substances, regardless of their odour and colour, belong to normal function of our body.

Not only non Muslims, ethnic groups, slaves and women, but even animals in Islam are not freed from discrimination: dogs and pigs are the most discriminated animals. Term of”negis” characterises their absolute and unchangeable impurity. Pork meat is absolutely haram and dog as a “negis” animal can never be proper pet in a Muslim house. Touching a dog, especially a dog’s saliva, requires ritually hygienic procedure to get the hand clean—if a dog eats from a dish, the dish must be washed 7 times, the first time with sand. Camel was a respectful animal of Arab nomads, dog (despite all its uses in many ways) was labelled as negis creature.

While Marriage of Muslim men with women of the Book (Muslims, Christians and Jews), based on Islamic rituals, can be permitted, all other varieties of marriage between Muslim women and non Muslim men are considered haram--as a patriarchal religion, Islam granted a little concession only to Muslim men. Muslim women are not allowed to marry men outside of Islam (unless they convert to Islam).

No marriage is permitted between Muslims and “Mushriks” (atheists, polytheists, other belief systems which are considered by Muslims negis). The Koran says, “A believing slave woman is better than a mushrik woman”!

As mentioned, terms like halal, haram, and negis are not more than rituals of particular conditions and environments. These terms have no logic and no scientific credentials at all. They are only a part of old cultures which sometimes happen to be imposed as taboo rules.

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more from Jahanshah Rashidian
 
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Muhammad was fucking a 9 years old, is it halal or haram

by Kian (not verified) on

Just curious, being a pedophile as prophet Muhammad was
(since his wife Aieshe. a 9years old girld, is this halal or haram is Islam?


caspianseamermaid

To Ali

by caspianseamermaid on

Please, look up the words "ideology" and "moral absolutism" before you throw them at me.

Then please don't assume and jump to the conclusion that I come from the 'moral relativist's " point of view. Way off!

 

I do, I find ALL religions abhorrent,highly immoral. Did I write anything about religious followers here?

I have never claimed to be inclusive, neither do I want to be that fashionable. What the hell does inclusion have to do with anything I wrote anyway?

 

 

And. I quoted myself again so that you would stop misquoting what I wrote. You missed it again. I said: researched to a level and well-formulated.

Please, stop reading and quoting imaginary text into my posts. Thank you.


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Two choices that would give Muslims the chance of staying alive

by David Goldstein (not verified) on

Muslims have two options:

1) Either they give up the evil and barbaric Islam and join the civilized world or,
2) Get annihilated by America.


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To caspianseamermaid

by Ali (not verified) on

You are free to believe in any ideology you want or be part of any movements you like. But the fact that you call all religions "highly immoral" and "outrageous" caries the same load of absolutism and dogmatism that you criticize religiions for.

If you believe in some degree of relativism you should also be able apply it to your views regarding religions.

And not even mentioning that according to your statement, the great majority of the human population are "highly immoral" because they practice a religion. On a global scale Islam would be much more inclusive of others than you are.

Regarding the inaccuracies of this article, there are so many of them that to name them would require a whole article on its own. But as a few examples; Islam does in no way allow "raping women in prison", which the author throws in as a "fact" in his article. Dogs and pigs are not "najes. Eating pork is forbidden and dogs are animal like others. The concept that dogs are "impure" animals was promoted during the Bani-Omayeh dynasty to belittle Iranians who kept dogs are pets (I refer you to Dr Shafiyee Kadkani's book about this subject). So much for a "well reseached" article.


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These lies are fabricated

by niloofar (not verified) on

These lies are fabricated 24hrs/day in israel and fed to public via various channels.


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in islam only god is absolute

by LostIdentity (not verified) on

The most pragmatic religion you can find on earth is islam, i think.
Many instances such as:
a muslim can eat a dead animal, if it preserves his/her life;
you can break your praying or fasting, if you feel it will endanger your life;

muslim is not supposed to fight enemies in certain months and around mecca, but if enemy transgresses, muslim is allowed to defend;

Oredr of priority in islam is critical;

Haram and halal is a relative matter rather than an absolute.

These lies are base on some backward traditions or dictated by some backward minds and exploited by enemis of islam;

As dr. shariati says:
Rumors are fabricated by enemy, propagated by hypocrites and accepted by naive minds.


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Hey Rashidian: your article

by LostIdentity (not verified) on

Hey Rashidian: your article shows your'e a islam basher;
You say:
In this perspective, halal blood can be also a reason for honour killing in the Islamic societies. Honour killing is committed by male family members against female family members, who are perceived to have brought dishonour upon the family. A female can be targeted by her family for a variety of reasons, including: refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, having sex outside marriage, or even being the victim of a sexual assault.

This is the most stupid thing I've seen on your article. Many other stupid allegations you've pointed to but this one is pathetic!
This thing you mention may be a tradition of some cultures in islamic societies. If a so called muslim does something wrong , why should you, a self proclaimed intellectual!!!!, think that it's islam dictating the followers to do that.

I'm glad that the enemies of islam are such a fools.


caspianseamermaid

Ali, thanks for your response

by caspianseamermaid on

 

I wrote:

"As far as I can tell, this article, although not one of my subjects of
interest, i is quite well formulated and surprisingly for this site
with a level of research, referring to the dangers of 'moral
absolutism', especially outdated 'moral absolutes'."

 

I also wrote:

 

"Although, I agree with quite a few points that you present, I doubt
that the motivations for such moral absolutism is particular solely to
Islam. Every religion has numerous rituals and set of morals, which are
imposed on its followers. Islam isn't unique in this. "

 

The question of 'haram and halal' is exactly the same as in other religions. Totally black and white. To try and break this down as much as I can: if something is PERCEIVED to be as an  'haram' act, it can be 'rectified' by another .....

You wrote:

"It is sad that the readers of this website are not outraged by such articles, let alone approving of them."

 

I find ALL religions outrageous and highly immoral.

 

I'm with this lot (sometimes):

 

//www.the-brights.net

 

If you have found specific inaccurracies in the 'article', I'd be interested to know about them. 

 

 

 


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To Mehran

by Ali (not verified) on

Why on earth would I be interested to destroy the credibility of someone I don't even know?!!! This is the first article I am reading from this author. And I clearly stated why I think it is a poor one. I am curious to know what in my comments has led you to that conclusion?


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Ali, this article is well written

by Mehran (not verified) on

Ali, your bias toward this article is oblivious. The way you attack this article is not from your objectivity but from hidden intention to raise credibility issue of the author. This is called credibility assignation.


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To caspianseamermaid

by Ali (not verified) on

Give me a break please! Criticizing "moral absolutism" is one thing, twisting a simple concept such as Halal meat to associate it with rape and murder is another.

What is the logical conclusion of this "well reseached" academic article?! That muslims are more likely to commit rape and murder because they eat Halal meat?

This article is nothing but cheap hate mongering targeting a particular group of people, there is no philosphical depth whatsoever as you are claiming. The arguments are flawed, the information totally wrong and manipulated, and the implicit message is nothing but to spread hatred and fear.

It is sad that the readers of this website are not outraged by such articles, let alone approving of them.


caspianseamermaid

Hey, Robin, Rosie Tickledoudle

by caspianseamermaid on

I appreciate your post.

 

You and your fellow techno-ravers are like GOD and COCA COLA!

 

Everywhere!

 

 


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HEY CASPIAN MERMAID

by ROBIN JAYNE GOLDSMITH T. (not verified) on

HI SIS, YOU ARE AMAZING AND I SUPPORT YOU ON THIS
110%, GO GIRL GO GIRL.
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU GIRL.
THANKS TO NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY WHO ARE READING THIS AT THIS VERY MOMENT.
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caspianseamermaid

To Ex Iran -Iraq War Veteran

by caspianseamermaid on

a) you're not funny

 

b) OBVIOUSLY that depends on the donkeys' consent. Did they? And if so how?

 

c) remember the case (somewhere in Africa) where the guy had to marry the sheep he was so in lust with....


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Iranians are the traditional owners and custodians of Iran

by Iran and Iranian (not verified) on

Iranians are the traditional owners and custodians of Iran and its spiritual traditions

To Ali: It is not that Iranians can not tolerate Islam. It is Islam that can not tolerate Iranians.

Islamists are responsible for genocide of Iranians and Iranian culture. The entire world should know about this Iranian Holocaust and the entire world should help Iranians in reviving their culture and to gain back their country non-violently. Iranians are the traditional owners and custodians of Iran and its spiritual traditions that have lasted for over 5000 years.

Iranians can not freely be Iranian in their own country. Iranians are hostage to Islam and Islamists. Iranians can not freely talk about assault of Islam on Iran and Iranians and brutally our ancestors endured. By not being able to talk about it and have it to stop, this assault on our culture and way of our life will be continued. Iranian mass exodus to other countries from fear of Islamists is proof to this fact. Today’s Iran ruled by Islamists and their western supporters (British Monarchy) and their assault on Iran and Iranians is still on march to this day. Islamists kill us instantly for raising our grievances for our Iran and its culture in our own country.

Islam is racist in its bone and soul for being righteous and placing itself above all. In practice, Islam is as brutal as Nazis. If you disagree, help Iran to be secular and democratically governed by Iranians.


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Please, someone enlighten me...

by Ex Iran-Iraq War Vetern (not verified) on

As a member of the Al-Hussein brigade, I spent 5 years at the front fighting the forces of the infidel Saddam.

Due to the long periods between visits to my home town Kashan and deprivation from having female companion, a bunch of us used to spend time with one of the local donkeys. I know that some of you might find this disgusting but as the old Persian saying goes, "Koss Dagh Basheh Mall'e Olagh Bashehh."

The purpose of sharing my intimate story with you is to know if my actions were halal or haram? You see, I am a very religious person and this issue has been boterhing me all these years.


caspianseamermaid

To Ali and Jahanshah Rashidian

by caspianseamermaid on

Ali, Muslims and Jews are CREEDs. I'm fed up with the word 'racism' being thrown around, as if we were on the verge of the Nazi brigade, right across Malaysia and Indonesia.

 

As far as I can tell, this article, although not one of my subjects of interest, i is quite well formulated and surprisingly for this site with a level of research, referring to the dangers of 'moral absolutism', especially outdated 'moral absolutes'.

 

E.g. although there MAY have been SOME rational behind particular methods of slaughter, with todays technology of stunning animals, they no longer are of any relevance.

 

 

To Jahanshah Rashidian

 

Although, I agree with quite a few points that you present, I doubt that the motivations for such moral absolutism is particular solely to Islam. Every religion has numerous rituals and set of morals, which are imposed on its followers. Islam isn't unique in this.

 

One of the purposes of religion is not to think, but to act out of promise, hope and above all -fear.


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This is an excellent book for every Iranian to read

by Amir7 (not verified) on


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To Jahanshah Javid:

by Ali (not verified) on

Iranian.com is starting to look like a Nazi website with all these racist articles, blogs and comments, especially against muslims and arabs.

Iranian.com is the largest Iranian online publication and all these hateful and racist material is projecting a really bad image of the Iranians.

This new discusting article in the blog of Mr Jahanshah Rashidian about ccncept of Halal is a clear example of that kind of shameful hatemongering. In this article Mr Rashidian twists a concept as simple as Halal meat; which only consists of killing an animal according to certain rules to minimize its suffering, to a point where he relates it to honour killing and raping women in prisons!! And of course, Mr Rashidian not the least bothered by throwing in a couple of lies in between about Islamic law supposedly legitimizing rape!!

Of course, when he describles the Islamic rules for the ritual of killing an animal, he writes about the blood being drained from the animal body, but he never mentions that the animal has to be fed before it is killed so it doesn't die hungy or thirsty. Or he also never mentions that the animal should not be taken away from its mother before reaching a certain age. And none of the many rules that are set solely to minize the suffering of the animal. Of coure he wouldn't mention these rules. It would then be much more difficult to twist the facts and relate Halal meat to rape and honour killing.

Or again, he writes about the "irrational" idea of recite the name of God before killing an animal and relates this concept to all kinds of violations of human rights in his own twisted way, but be never mentions that many other spiritual traditions across the world, including Native Americans, who are known to be very close to nature, have very similar beliefs and never kill an animal without giving it a spiritual aspect.

Or again, he never mentions the fact that slaughtering animals in this fashion and with all these rules, will avoid mass slaughterings in astronomical proportions.

Any intelligent person knows that there are various ways of looking at things, but to twist the facts so much for the purpose of spreading hatred towards a particular group of people can not be considered as just a "different point of view"!

And I have a question for Mr Rashidian; if killing an animal according Islamic rules is somehow related to raping female prisoniers and honour killing, what can be industrial farming in Western countries be related to? Where animals are smashed together so that they can not move, kept in the dark most of the time to minimize the cose of electricity, partly mutilated by sharp razer and force fed by tubs and injected with hormones and anti-biotics 24 hours a day?

I strongly suggest that Mr Javid takes some measures to reduce the amount of racist material and hate propaganda in Iranian.com. For the sake of his own website and the image of Iranians in general. Maybe even an article by Jahanshah Javid about the negative effects of racist material published on his website, can be helpful.


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Misunderstandings

by J. Rashidian (not verified) on

The article criticises a topic of a "critical" belief system, but not Muslims who in majority are the unconcious victims or forced followers of the faith.

Please do not emotionally comment it, but reason if you can develop conter-arguments!

Thanks

Jahanshah Rashidian


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I think he is anonymous-haha

by javad (not verified) on

Yes, Mr. Rashidian, "primitive rituals" are pretty much a muslim thing. A little bit jewish but mainly Islamic.

Beheading? Also only muslims have done it. Same with considering animals unclean: only Muslims!

Rape? Who has ever heard of rape except when it is done by Muslims? No other society has ever used rape as a weapon of war or cultural cleansing. Muslims invented rape!

Bad things are not done by bad people. They are done Muslim people!

Honesly, do you realize how stupid you sound?


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illogical thinking

by Anonymous1234 (not verified) on

these people think that if they attack Islam, that they are in fact attacking the Islamic Republic. They have tried for 28 years to overthrow the Islamic Republic, and since they coudn't, they make up lies against Islam (such as claiming Islam allows honor killings, even though honor killings do not even happen in Iran) because they want to feel good about themselves.

Live your lives, stop acting like neo-nazis of your day. Islamophobia is cheap and yes profitable. You have brought your morals so low, you are willing to attack Islam, even though it means the West will use it to justify the mass slaughter of our people irrespective of the person's actual individual beliefs.


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In Islam, suffering of others or animals have no significance

by Wake Up (not verified) on

Halal meat = Killing an animal by throat and allow to die gradually so all its blood becomes drained in slow motion. It takes about 20-30 minutes. By halal method, the sheep or cow undergo torture for good 20-30 minutes before passing away. For sheep or cow, heart pumps and eyes are wide open during this savage and torture process. They hang sheep and cow by their rear legs while breathing and allow bleed slowly. The animal trembles in vain by watching the murder (ghasab). In Islam, pain and suffering of others or animals have no significance. All it matters is what benefits to Moslems. With hala technique, Moslems prefer to eat the most delicious meat that is blood-free; they care less for 20-30 minutes of torturing of animal.


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seriously,are you this duckind fumb?

by Anonymous-haha (not verified) on

"In this perspective, halal blood can be also a reason for honour killing in the Islamic societies. Honour killing is committed by male family members against female family members, who are perceived to have brought dishonour upon the family. A female can be targeted by her family for a variety of reasons, including: refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, having sex outside marriage, or even being the victim of a sexual assault."

Honor Killing is a brutal act that transcends religions and cultures.The Hindus and Sikhs and africans all have cases of honor killing. It is a heinous crime that deserved to be condemned. But you twisted the word " halal" to justify this.what an asshole. If the Prophet justified honor killing,he should kill Aishah when she was accused of adultery.For a man with such great respect towards women, he was reduced into a man that provoked honor killing.wtf.

it so ironic that sigheh was bashed ( and rightly so)but when men and women who commit adultery are punished, you quote your western "civilized word": an attack on civil liberty.

you might wanna write differences between the term " civilized" and "uncivilized".

because in the west, wife swapping and pre-marital sex are considered acts of civilized men.as matter of fact, those acts are bragged by western men in their locker rooms.