Why Bother With Halal?

Do you have to drive a long distance to find Halal meat? Does it take you longer to shop because you have to read the ingredient labels on everything you buy? Is it worth the extra time and energy to look for Halal products to eat?

There are many reasons to eat Halal products. First and foremost is that ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, has commanded us to do that. Other reasons are it is cleaner, healthier and it has many blessings. Another reason is explained in the following Hadith, narrated by Muslim:

Abu Huraira, radiya ALLAHu anhu, reported that the Prophet, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said: "O people, ALLAH is Good (Pure) and HE accepts only good (purity), and ALLAH has commanded the believers in the same way HE commanded the Messengers. ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, said:

O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you and be grateful to ALLAH, if it is HE you worship. (Al-Baqara, 172)

And HE said:

O you messengers! Enjoy (all) things good and pure, and work righteousness: for I am well-acquainted with (all) that you do. (AL-Mu'minoon, 51)

Then he (the Prophet, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam,) informed us of the disheveled man who travels long distances, and extends his hands toward the sky (in dua) and asks, O my LORD, O my LORD and his food is haram and his drink is haram and his clothing is haram and his sustenance is haram; how will his supplication be granted?"

There are many lessons in this Hadith. The one we want to focus on now is how does what we eat affect whether our dua will be granted or not? It is clear from the Hadith that the person who eats haram and drinks haram will not have his dua granted.

All of us face difficulties in life, and when that happens, we seek help. It is always best to seek help from ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, so as we face these difficulties, we raise our hands in dua for help and patience. A condition for the granting of our dua is that we eat Halal and we drink Halal. (Also that we earn our living by Halal means and that we cloth ourselves in an acceptable manner.)

The Muslim Ummah today is faced with many problems and challenges, from the genocide in Chechnya, Bosnia, and elsewhere, to the occupation of Al Aqsa, to the hunger in Somalia and Iraq. Everyday, we raise our hands in dua for our needs and those of our fellow Muslims in these and other lands. Is the situation improving? Could it be that little crouton on the Halal salad contains some animal shortening or the beef in the restaurant is not quite Halal? What about all the food imported into the Muslim countries from the non-Muslim world. Are we kidding ourselves by accepting food that has not been properly supervised? Before sleeping tonight, take a few minutes to consider the implications of this Hadith.