What Is Halal Chicken? Everything You Need To Know

Halal chicken is widely available in many parts of the world. It is also becoming increasingly popular in other parts of the world, particularly in countries with small Muslim populations.

Many supermarkets and restaurants offer halal options for consumers who follow a halal diet. But, what is halal chicken? In this article, we will cover the answers to the question based on the Islamic perspectives.

What Is Halal Chicken?

Halal chicken is a type of chicken that has been slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, which dictates the guidelines for what Muslims can and cannot eat. The word “halal” means “permissible” in Arabic, and it refers to anything that is deemed acceptable under Islamic dietary laws.

According to Islamic teachings, all food is considered halal unless it is specifically prohibited by the Qur’an or Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad).

In general, all types of meat are considered halal as long as they come from animals that have been slaughtered in a specific way and are not considered haram (forbidden).

When it comes to chicken, there are a few specific guidelines that must be followed in order to make it halal. These guidelines include:

The chicken must come from a healthy and well-raised animal.

The chicken should be slaughtered in the manner prescribed in sharee‘ah; it should not be stunned with electricity, or drowned in water, or any other means of killing that is done in some countries.

The one who slaughtered the chicken should be a Muslim or a kitaabi (one of the people of the Book, i.e., a Jew or Christian).

It is not permissible (haram) to eat meat slaughtered by a communist, atheist or idol-worshipper.

In order for chicken slaughtered by a Muslim or one of the People of the Book to be halal, it is stipulated that it be slaughtered by cutting it in the right place, cutting the two veins in the neck.

If in addition to that, the trachea, which is the airway, and the oesophagus, through which food and drink reach the stomach, are also cut, that is better.

The chicken must be slaughtered by cutting the throat, windpipe, and blood vessels with a sharp knife while reciting the name of Allah.

The chicken must be slaughtered in a humane manner, with the intention of causing as little suffering as possible.

These guidelines ensure that the chicken is treated humanely and that it is prepared in a way that is acceptable to Muslims.

When we do not know how the chicken was slaughtered, and we do not know in which manner it was done. In this case, there is some doubt and hesitation concerning the meat.

Read weather Tyson Chicken is halal or haram.

The texts below, narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) indicate that it is halal and that we should not ask about the way in which it was slaughtered or try to find out about that.

So as to make things easier for people, and because the basic principle concerning actions and dealings is that they are valid if they are done by those who are qualified to do them.

It was proven in Saheeh al-Bukhaari from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that some people came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said:

“Some people bring us meat and we do not know whether they mentioned the name of Allah over it or not.” He said: “Say the name of Allah yourselves then eat.”

I said: They (the people who brought the meat) were new in Islam and they were not sure whether they said the name of Allaah (when slaughtering the meat) or not. So he said: Say the name of Allaah yourself and eat.

So it is permissible to eat chicken even if we do not know whether the name of Allaah has been pronounced over the chicken or not.

Similarly it is permissible to eat even if we do not know whether it was slaughtered in the proper manner or not, because if the action was done by the appropriate people, the basic principle is that it is valid unless there is evidence to the contrary.

If there comes to us chicken that has been slaughtered by a Muslim, a Jew or a Christian, then we do not ask about it and we do not say, “How was it slaughtered?” or “Was the name of Allaah mentioned over it or not?”

It is halal so long as there is no proof that it is haraam. This is a way in which Allah has made things easy for us.

Otherwise we would have a problem every time some meat was offered to us, and we would have to ask, “Who slaughtered it? Does he pray or not? Did he say the name of Allaah over it or not? Did the blood flow or not?” and so on.

But by the grace of Allaah, if an action is done by the appropriate people, then the basic principle is that it is sound and valid unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Adopted from Islamqa website.

In addition to the slaughtering requirements, halal chicken must also be processed and prepared in a way that is compliant with Islamic dietary laws.

For example, it cannot be processed with any non-halal ingredients or equipment that has come into contact with non-halal products.

In addition to being popular among Muslims, halal chicken is also widely available and enjoyed by people of all faiths.

It can be found at halal restaurants, supermarkets, and specialty stores, and it is often used in dishes such as chicken curry, kebabs, and sandwiches.

Conclusion

Overall, halal chicken is a type of chicken that is slaughtered in accordance with Islamic dietary laws and is considered to be pure, wholesome, and humane.

It is widely available and enjoyed by people of all faiths, and it is a popular choice for those who want to follow a halal diet or who are interested in humane and ethical food options.