Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. What should I do if I do not know for sure whether the meat is Zabiha Halal or not ?

    A: DO NOT eat it, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said “Leave that which causes you doubt for that which is doubtless” (Tirmizhi, 2518)

  • Q. Does Kosher mean Halal ?

    A: No, Kosher has its own requirements which DO NOT necessarily meet the conditions of Zabiha Halal. For example, according to some, if a Kosher inspector blesses an animal in a room in the morning time, all animals slaughtered in that room are considered Kosher regardless of who slaughters it or how. (MT Book 5, The Book of Holiness, Sefer Kedushah; Treatise 3, Laws Concerning Shehitah (Shechitah, Ritual Slaughter); Chapter 1, sec 2 (pages 506M 259Y) )

  • Q. Does the UD or KD symbol mean Halal ?

    A: No, these are Kosher symbols, which do not necessarily guarantee Halal.

  • Q. Is there a difference between Halal and Zabiha ?

    A: There is no difference between Halal and Zabiha meat in Islam. Those animals declared as Halal, if they have been slaughtered according to Zabiha rules, only then consuming their meat is Halal. If the animal has not been slaughtered according to Zabiha rules, then that meat cannot be called Halal, it would be considered as maitah (carrion) which is Haram. Maitah is just as haram as pork.

  • Q. What is the ruling regarding the meat of the Ahlul Kitab (People of the Book) ?

    A: It is permissible for consumption if it meets all the requirements of zabiha. Allah (swt) says, “The food (slaughtered meat) of Ahlul Kitab (People of the Book) is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them.” (al-Maa’idah : 5) The same conditions that are stipulated for a Muslim, are also the conditions for Ahlul Kitab. Most importantly: “Eat not (of meats) on which Allah's name has not been pronounced, and surely it is a sin...” (al-An’aam : 121)

  • Q. I am invited to dinner by a relative and am not sure about whether the meat is proper Halal or not. What should I do ?

    A: Find out! Do not be shy to ask, it will only help. Your asking will create awareness about Halal in your relative and your insisting will ensure safety of your deen and theirs. Further, as you love to eat Halal and attain it many virtues for yourself, it is necessary to love the same for your relative as well. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “None of you can be a proper believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (Bukhari, 13)

  • Q. Is it okay to buy meat that is common in the market?

    A: It is not okay to buy meat from the common stores or restaurants simply because they have a halal sign. Where we live, the meat situation is very difficult right now. Haram meat is abundant in the market while even that which is labeled as Halal is based on trust, which is even harder to find these days. We need to have an alternative available to the unmonitored, uninspected, controversial ‘halal meat’ labels prevalent in the market. HMS provides substantial services to fulfill this need.

  • Q. What does HMS certified means ?

    A:

      - Properly Hand slaughtered by Muslim

      - Bismillah on each animal

      - Random, unannounced inspections are conducted frequently

      - Business premises, invoices, merchandises, sales/production records, fridges, etc. inspected to guarantee no mixing with non-Halal

      - Ingredients and processes of all products/menu items are fully inspected to ensure purely Halal

      - Whole chain of supply is monitored, from the slaughterhouse to the supplier to the store