05 December 2014

Allowed eating

"When I walk into a restaurant, ... it shouldn’t be important to the waiter what my religion is", wrote Dr Taj Hargey 

I agree with him.  Hungry people want to eat.  It doesn't matter how the chicken was killed.  So long that it has been handled in a reasonably sanitary kind of way, I would think it would be okay.

Hargey points out that for chicken to be truly "halal", it has to be killed in a certain way, with the blood drained from it, and prayers chanted.  However, the Quran does not actually require that Muslims eat food that is truly "halal" only.  It says in Chapter 5:5 that 
‘This day all good things are made lawful for you. The food of the People of the Book [meaning the Jews and the Christians] is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them …'
Hargey, as a Muslim, would allow himself to eat any meat other than pork.  He reckons that non-Muslims have even less reason to fuss over the detail of whether food is "halal" in the Muslim context or not.  And Muslims, eating non-halal meat of allowed animals are not violating the Quran's command, so they do not need to be as picky as what some have become.

Would you agree with him?

Why then is there this big fuss over "halal" food?  Why are companies paying big bucks to be halal certified?  And why are companies forced to take on the "halal" certification in order to export their produce?

Is this a money making venture to keep the Imams in business?  Or are there other hidden reasons behind this?

Are people making a bigger deal about Islam and drawing an unnecessary "them" vs "us" line between the Muslims and non-Muslims?  Why would people do this?

How are we to love one another when conspiracy theories abound?

What do you think and believe?

1 comment:

  1. I found this constitution of the **Supreme Islamic Council Of Halal Meat In Australia Inc** which specifically shows the issue between halal CERTIFICATION AND ISLAM ......
    -
    OBJECT OF THE ORGANISATION
    The Organisation shall be non-profit religious Organisation dedicated to the promotion of Islamic Religion, Culture and Principles with the following objectives:

    1. Co-ordination and Supervision of the production of Halal meat and other food products so that it is strictly in accordance with Islamic Shariah, for the benefit of Muslims in Australia and abroad.
    2. To appoint Slaughter men, Supervisors and other individuals essential to the carrying out of the functions of the Council or it's members
    3Th resources of the Organisation shall be used by member societies for Achieving the following:
    i) Co-ordination of work undertaken by member societies
    ii) To unify Muslims of Australia from diverse background for the cause of Islamic Dawah
    iii) To implement a system of Islamic Education
    iv) To acquire property to fulfil religious needs of new Muslim generation

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