Food


 * HALAL**

Halal is the Muslim dietary law. It is a way of killing animals and preparing food. The law comes from their holy book, the Qur'an.The Qur'an has four rules, **blood**, **pork**, **any animal that has not been purposely slaughtered for food**, **and any animal that has been slaughtered in the name of a pagan deity are explicitly forbidden.** __Blood__-
 * Qu'ran**

//“O ye who believe! Fulfill your undertakings.The beast of cattle is made lawful unto you (for food) except that which is announced unto you (herein), game being unlawful when ye are on pilgrimage. Lo! Allah ordaineth that which pleaseth Him” (5:1)//

Passage from the Qu'ran.

There is a process of slaughtering animals. The animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim. The animal's throat is sliced while the animal is still conscious. The slaughterer must say a prayer which is, " In the name of God; God is most great." This is very similar to how a Rabbi conducts Kosher slaughter.
 * Slaughtering**

Halal is not only a dietary but, it is also a life style. **Haram** means the opposite of Halal, which is unlawful. Halal means lawful. Things that are Haram are forbidden. Haram habits are __gambling__ and __drugs__. Foods that are Haram are __pork__ and all its byproducts, all __alcohol__, __carnivorous animals__ (animals that tear their food apart with claws), and animals that __died before proper slaughter__. Then there is **Makruh**, which mean discouraged. Foods that are Makruh are, __lobster__, __crab__, and other __shellfish__. However, shrimp are considered Halal. A Makruh habit would be __smoking__. In non-Arabic countries Halal is mostly just the dietary law and not the lifestyle. Muslims may eat food that is Kosher if Halal is not available.
 * Foods and Habits**

Halal Foods:
 * Fish
 * Crops
 * Nuts
 * Fruits
 * Vegetables
 * Dairy

Animals allowed if slaughtered with correct procedure:
 * Cows
 * Goats
 * Sheep
 * Deer
 * Moose
 * Fowl


 * __Sources__**

Armstrong, Karen. Islam. New York: Modern Library, 2000.

Gordon, Matthew.. Islam. Series in World religions.New York: Facts on File, 1991.

Davidson, Alan,. The Oxford companion to food. Oxford England: Oxford University Press, c1999.

Siddiqui, Haroom. Being Muslim. Toronto: Groundwork Books, 2006.

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