Certified halal meat ensures a pure and wholesome form of nourishment for all people. So, Halal is beneficial for everyone.
Islam is not only a religion – it is a way of life. Since food is an important part of daily life, food laws carry a special significance. Muslims should maintain good health and not just live to eat.
Halal is an Arabic word that means “permissible” or “lawful”. In terms of food, it means food that is allowed according to Islamic law as it is defined within the Quran.
For meat to be certified “Halal” it needs to be slaughtered/harvested properly. Beef, lamb, goat, venison, bison, chicken, turkey, fish, and shellfish can all be Halal.
Foods that are unlawful or prohibited are “Haram.” The prohibited animals are carnivorous animals, pigs, reptiles, and birds of prey.
Before The Halal Process
Before Halal slaughtering:
-Animals must be well cared for and preferably without blemish (scars or injuries). Abuse of animals is strictly forbidden and the lives of animals are only to be taken in a dignified manner.
-The animals must have been fed a natural diet. The feeding of animal by-products is prohibited.
-Animals should have access to drinking water until slaughtered.
The Halal Process
The slaughter of a halal animal is called “zabihah” and there are certain guidelines to follow:
-The slaughtering process must be conducted by a practicing Muslim who is of sound mind and who has the explicit intention of performing a slaughter. The person doing the slaughter is clearly instructed in Islam to “Slaughter with mercy and slaughter swiftly.”
-The name of Allah must be pronounced before or as the animal is slaughtered. The person doing the slaughter must recite “Tasmia” which is typical “Bismillah” – In the name of Allah and “Allahu Akbar” – Allah is Greatest. This must be done out loud during the slaughter.
-The animal’s face should be pointed toward Makkah (Mecca).
-The knife must be very sharp and the edge of the blade perfectly smooth, with no nicks. Also, the knife must not be sharpened in the presence of animals to be slaughtered, to be avoided potentially undue stress.
-Halal slaughter involves one pass of the blade across the throat of the animal, severing the carotid arteries, jugular vein, and trachea. This process involves very little pain. Animals lose consciousness very quickly, yet the heart helps rid the body of blood.
-The animal must be allowed to bleed completely out. The blood is not Halal.
ALWAYS LOCAL
Sultan Ahmet Turkish Cuisine always gets the freshest cuts of local certified halal meat. We never import any halal meat from foreign countries and it is never frozen. We ensure that our meat reaches your dish in the shortest period of time.
INSPECTED AND APPROVED
We purchase the halal meat inspected and approved to ensure it is safe, wholesome, correctly labeled, and packaged. The meat is checked for animal diseases and unseen hazards, such as microbiological and chemical contamination.
*Please note that this article serves as introductory, educational content for non-Muslim readers. We do not provide our opinion on the differences in practices worldwide or whether a certain procedure is more humane than another.