Like any religion, Islam has a set of rules and guidance that worshippers must follow. These rules are usually categorised as 'Islamic law' and come from the holy Qu'ran which Muslims believe to be the literal word of God.
The Qu'ran is treated with great reverence and care and many try their best to follow the teachings of the Qu'ran that they believe were passed down to mankind by the Prophet Muhammad. Part of those Islamic laws are what is permissible and what is forbidden for a Muslim.
This is commonly phrased as what is halal (permitted) and haram (forbidden).
What does halal mean?
Translated from Arabic, the word halal simply means permissible. In the Qu'ran the term is used to describe things that are lawful or allowed under Islamic law.
In this day and age, the term is mostly known regarding food that Muslims are allowed to eat, especially meat. In Islam meat to be consumed by Muslims bust be considered clean and pure.
This is done by animals or poultry being slaughtered in the name of Allah. It involves killing the animal by a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery with the butcher uttering the word 'bismillah' which means 'in the name of God'.
Before they are slaughtered, animals must be alive and healthy and all the blood must be drained from the carcass. In Islam most meat is considered halal so long as it is slaughtered the Islamic way.
You will often see the halal symbol on packaging and the front of restaurants or takeaways. This is used to indicate to others that the meat and food prepared at the business is halal.
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What does haram mean?
Translated to English from Arabic, harm means forbidden or unlawful. This is used to describe things that are sinful and harmful to yourself and others in the eyes of Allah. In food, animals that haven't been slaughtered the Islamic way are considered as such.
There are some animals that have been forbidden by the Qu'ran regardless of how they are slaughtered.
The most commonly known one is pork as it is considered an 'unclean' animal due to it's diet. Eating animals with fangs or animals of prey is also forbidden.
This includes, cats, eagles, cats, bears, hawks, lions, dogs, wolves and snakes, scorpion, mice just to name a few. Drinking alcohol and taking drugs is also haram.
Haram also extends to the actions of a Muslim in different sections of their lives. The general rule is that if the action is harmful to yourself or others then it is haram.
For example, in relationships it is haram to be adulterous in a marriage and sex between two unmarried people is forbidden, this is known as zina.
Also in clothing for example, it is haram for both men and women to wear garments that fail to cover their body properly. In business, the concept of interest in business and banking is haram, this is known as riba.
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