• This article examines the health benefits of consuming Halal meat.
• It explores the criticisms made pertaining to Halal meat.
They say “you are what you eat!.” As Muslims, we naturally gravitate towards consuming Halal food, guided by our trust in the most wise—Allah swt, in complete reliance that we do so for our own well being. Moreover, in submitting our will to Allah.
Carving the tangible health benefits of Halal meat over Haram alternatives may actually be surprising. Exploring these advantages reveals that our dietary choices are not only a matter of faith and spirituality but are intrinsically linked to our well-being. This highlights the holistic nature of our dietary practices and emphasises why Islam is a way of life as opposed to a hym we sing on a particular day of the week.
In the pilot study Evidence on the potential effects of halal meat on sleep/wake cycles and mood state profile. Non-Halal eaters were given halal meats for 30 days consecutively. The study concluded that the impact caused a slight improvement in men’s diurnal activity and mood state profile, as well as in women’s subjective sleep quality. Significantly higher urine levels of serotonin were also reported, particularly in men.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that transmits signals in the brain and other areas of the body. It is primarily found in the brain, bowels, and blood platelets. Serotonin is known to play a crucial role in regulating mood, emotions, sleep, appetite, digestion, memory, and healthy marital relations.
Imbalances in serotonin levels are associated with various conditions, including depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
It’s important to note that although this study involved only participants within their hundreds, it is still considered emerging research.
In addition, Imran Ahmed Khan explained in his 2023 study The advantages of halal food for health and well-being, how halal food provides a safer choice and minimises the potential for food contamination and associated health risks.
The study Nutritional quality and physiological effects of halal meat also explains the benefits that halal food offers, based on the fact that halal meat has a healthier lipid profile, which in the study, proved to have a positive impact on body weight, muscle mass, body fat, and antioxidant status in non-Muslim/halal consumers.
Furthermore, a study by University of Extremadura concluded that the healthier lipid profile founded in halal meat may have had a positive impact on the weight, muscle mass, body fat and antioxidant status of the participants, without altering the gut microbiota and levels of biomarkers such as glucose, insulin, or iron.
In 2014, Denmark banned halal meat due to protests from many activists against the alleged inhumane practices of animal slaughter. This presented an opportunity for the poster child of atheism, Ricky Gervais to give his two pence:
We shall delve into this matter in the latter portion of this article.
Interestingly, despite any criticism received, Halal Meat continues to attract consumers all over the world, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Thus, meat and meat products labelled as halal are increasingly available in supermarkets and fast-food restaurants. For non-Muslim consumers, halal food products are fast becoming synonymous with food safety, hygiene and health. The global halal food market reached US$2,221.3 billion in 2022 and is forecast to have a 11.1% growth rate, reaching US$4.1 trillion by 2028.
According to Islamic law, the following procedures must be observed during slaughter:
The slaughterer must sever both the windpipe and the esophagus, along with the jugular veins. This ensures that the primary nerves responsible for transmitting pain are immediately cut.
It is crucial for the slaughterer to perform the cut swiftly and decisively, ideally in a single motion, to minimize suffering. Ibn Hajar Haytami identifies the failure to conduct the slaughter as quickly and painlessly as possible as one of the major sins. It is recommended to sharpen the knife beforehand and to feed the animal in advance to calm its nerves and reduce anxiety.
According to the Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy, in a 1980 study examining the impact of stress on livestock and meat quality, it was observed that stunning induces additional anxiety due to the stress experienced between the stunning and the subsequent bleeding of the animal. The halal slaughter method mitigates this issue, as the act of cutting the animal’s throat leads immediately to the loss of blood, thereby minimising stress.
Muslims care for their animals before slaughtering them. The Companions once asked the Prophet Mohammed (saw):
“Shall we be rewarded for showing kindness to the animals also?” He (saw) said, “A reward is given in connection with every living creature” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
From this hadith, we understand that caring for animals is a means of earning Allah’s reward. The Prophet (saw) also stated:
“May God curse the one who disfigures an animal.”
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is also reported to have stated:
“A woman was punished in Hell because of a cat which she had confined until it died. She did not give it to eat or to drink when it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the vermin of the earth.” -[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Clearly, mistreatment of animals is regarded as a grave sin, and the halal method completely avoids such issues. The halal slaughtering process is comprehensive in ensuring humane treatment of the animal, preventing any unnecessary suffering or pain. Additionally, it is a more fitting choice for those who view themselves as conscientious consumers.
For those interested in the impact of veganism, I invite you to read this exploration.
