Dear brothers and sisters,
As I was searching for "Is Gelatin Haram or Halal", a brother mentioned me a link and it was really helpful esp. for the brothers and sisters who live in non-muslim countries.
Please read it carefully. Jazakallah
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear muslim brothers and sisters!!,
Its an attempt being made to educate all Muslims in the San Diego, California area about the Islamic concept of Halaal/Haraam food and about what items sold in supermarkets and elsewhere are permissible for use. It's our duty of every muslim to do the right thing and inform other muslims of it too.
The article below gives a general background on Halaal/Haraam as pertaining to food.
(Questions from this may also be included in the competition). There is no question that food and drink are necessary for the maintenance of our bodies. To put it simply, we will cease to live if these vital necessities have been denied. But not only are our bodies affected by what we consume.
Other vital aspects of our nature are also affected. One of these is our minds. The health and clarity of our minds depend on the health of our bodies and thus also on what we eat and drink. Food together with drink then, can lead a person to vice (or virtue). For instance, a man under the influence of alcohol easily looses control of his abilities to reason. He can then utter the vilest phrases, behave in the most despicable manner, and indulge in activities the loathsomeness of which would have been unthinkable before.
Food also affects our spiritual nature. The spiritual potential of a human being can lead him or her to attain lofty heights of nearness to Allah, ineffable peace of mind, and profound understanding of the truths that lie behind the veils of nature. Wrong food, however, can inhibit this spiritual development. The Holy Prophet seems to have alluded to this derogative effect when he was reported to have said that the prayers of forty days of someone who has eaten unlawful food would not be accepted.
As we can see then, the right types of food contribute to the overall advancement of our total selves our bodies remain healthy, our minds become refined, and our souls progress unhindered.
Allah, in His mercy to us, in His desire for man to develop fully, has instructed us as to the types of food that are beneficial and those that are harmful. (Certain types of food are also probihited for reasons that are not easily discernable by us. Allah in His wisdom, is fully knowledgeable about these reasons, however). The food that is beneficial is lawful for us and is called Halaal in Arabic. The unlawful food is called Haraam.
Let us look at what types of food are Haraam. Haraam food comes under several categories according to Mishkat. The first comprises of those mentioned in the Quranic verse 6:122 which states: And dont eat of that on which Allahs name has not been mentioned. That is surely a transgression.
According to commentators of the Holy Quran, this verse indicates that the meat of a lawful animal or bird which is not slaughtered in the name of Allah cannot be eaten by a Muslim. Thus, for example, the meat of a chicken, turkey or cow cannot be eaten unless that bird or animal had been killed Islamically.
The way of slaughtering an animal to make its meat permissible has been explained in greater detail in the Hadith of the Holy Prophet. It is called Zabah in Arabic. Except in abnormal circumstances such as when an animal is being hunted down, Zabah is performed by first reciting Bismillah hir Rahmaanir Raheem or Bismillah Allahu Akbar three times and then cutting 4 vital organs in the region between the throat, head and breast bone of the animal.
The four vital organs to cut are: the wind pipe, the gullet, and the 2 jugular veins. Very important to note is that the knife should not touch the spinal chord. This means that the head of the animal should not be cut off or the neck broken during slaughter.
The second category of food is everything that is offered to idols. In some cultures people offer food, for example milk, to idols and then drink it. This milk is not permissible for us to drink if it is offered to us.
In the third category are all animals which die of themselves without the name of Allah being recited. This would include all animals strangled or beaten to death, or killed after being attacked by beasts or after falling.
In the next category are all beasts and birds of prey. In this category are all four legged creatures that use their teeth to seize their prey and all birds that seize their prey with their talons.
In the final category are all things injurious and repugnant to our health, life, morality, and intelligence. These would include unclean animals such as pigs, domesticated donkeys, cats, dogs, and also intoxicants like alcohol and drugs.
The Quranic verse 5:3 summarizes some of these categories. It states: Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any name besides Allah has been mentioned, and the strangled animal and that beaten to death, and that killed by being smitten with a horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten except what you slaughter.
The prohibitions mentioned above affect us in America by the fact that ingredients for food and other items we purchase may contain alcohol or may originate from animal sources. Because of this, knowledge of ingredients and how they are derived is very important.
Information for the article was gathered largely from the books:
Al-hadis of Mishkat-ul-Masabih
A Guide To What Ingredients to Avoid and How to Select A Halaal Food Product
[Information extracted from the book titled A Comprehensive List of Halal Food Products in
the U.S. Supermarkets by Syed Rasheeduddin Ahmed]
Kosher symbols written on food items:
The symbols K, KD, U, UD, K PARVE, CRS, or KMH indicate that the product is Kosher.
This means that in many cases the food may be good for use (for further confirmation, however, one should contact the manufacturer). In a few cases the item may not be Halaal even though the Kosher symbol is written.
Two examples are:
Kosher gelatin indicated by a K symbol or written in the ingredients as Kosher gelatin. Kosher gelatin will only be Halaal if the item is marked with a U symbol
The ingredients contain L_ Cysteine and there is a U symbol written on the item. L_Cysteine is a dough conditioner that may be derived from animal horn, human hair or from petroleum synthetic materials. If it comes from human hair the item is Haraam because Islaam does not allow use of human hair in food.
Kosher symbols written on beverages
Kosher symbols written on beverages does not mean that these commodities are Halaal. This is because alcohol may still be an ingredient.
Questionable ingredients
If the following items contain any of the ingredients stated below them, they may not be good for use. (The manufacturer can be contacted for confirmation).
Fruit Juices: Haraam Ingredients: Beta carotene or gelatin used during processing.
Cookies, Crackers, Biscuits and Bread Sticks: Haraam Ingredients: Lard, whey, mono & diglycerides, enzyme modified milk products, caseinates.
Peanut Butter: Haraam Ingredients: Monoglyceride or diglyceride.
Dried Milk Products/ Non-Dairy Creamers: Haraam Ingredients: Vitamins from pork source, milk solids from whey, caseinate, and lactose derived from pork rennet.
Hot and Cold Cereals: Haraam Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamins from pork source, gelatin in marshmallows.
Candies, Chew Gums, and Chocolate Bars: Haraam Ingredients: Mono & diglycerides, gelatin, whey, lactose (gum base, softener, and stearate may be from pork source in chewing gums).
Snacks, Potato Chips, Sauces, Mayonnaise, Salad Dressing, Cake Mix Seasoning, Bread Crumbs & Coating: Haraam Ingredients: Mono & diglycerides, polysorbate 60 or 80, whey, stearate, lard, cheese in snacks, propylglycol.
Spaghetti Sauce: Haraam Ingredients: May contain Romano cheese obtained through pork rennet.
Macaroni & Cheese Side Dinners: Haraam Ingredients: May contain dairy products obtained through pork rennet such as whey, caseinate, cheese solids, milk solids, and lactose.
Margarine, Cheese, Yogurt, Sour Cream, Cottage Cheese, Puddings: Haraam Ingredients: May contain dairy products obtained through pork rennet, gelatin from pork, whey, caseinate, milk solids, lactose, beta carotene, mono & diglycerides, and polysorbate 60 or 80.
Fish Products: Haraam Ingredients: Whey or lactose obtained through pork rennet and mono & diglycerides.
Ice Cream and Ice Cream Bars: Haraam Ingredients: Mono & diglycerides, polysorbate, sorbitan, stearate, gelatin from pork source, liquor, and rum flavors.
Bakery Products: Haraam Ingredients: Lard, emulsifiers like mono and diglycerides, polysorbat e 60 or 80, (dough conditioners like stearoyl 2-lactylate), whey, gelatin from pork, caseinate, sorbitan, monostearate, and rum flavors in cakes.
Tooth Paste and Mouth Wash: Haraam Ingredients: May contain alcohol or glycerine from pork.
Bar Soap: Haraam Ingredients: Sodium tallowate and glycerin. (Mono and diglycerides often become Halaal when a vegetable word is added before them.)
More information about Ingredients:
(A) Dual Status(Halal/Haram) Ingredients
The Following Ingredients most commonly found in the food product has a dual status. They could be Halal or Haram depending upon the source and use of enzymes. They will be halal if a Kosher symbol appears on the food package or inquiry with manufacturer about theirsource.
Milk Byproducts:
Caseinates;
Cheese solids;
Lactalbumin/lactoglobulin;
Lactose;
Milk Solids(addition of pork rennin whey or lactose);
Whey;
Enzyme modified milk;
Sweetened condensed milk (lactose from pork renni or whey make it haram);
Evaporated milk;
Heavy cream;
Light cream;
Light whipping cream;
Sour cream solids;
buttermilk solids.
Fat-Based ingrediends:
Any glycol;
Stearate;
Mono-glycrides;
Sodium stearoly lactylae;
Glycerin;
Enzyme madified lecithin;
Margarine;
Marshmallow;
Poloxyethylene;
Polysorbate;
Proylene glycol;
Softener;
Sorbitan monostearate;
Shortening;
Sorbiten
Ester;
Tocopheral;
Beta carotane;
L_ cysteine(from human hair or petroleum).
(B) Absolutely Haram Ingredients:
Bacon;
Ham;
Lard;
Pork;
Pork gelatin;
Enzymes from pork like rennin, pepsin;
Hard cider;
Fermented cider;
Wine vinegar;
Wine;
Rum.
(C) Halal Ingredients:
Acetic acid, amylase, ascorbic acid, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), baking powder, benzoic acid, BHA, BHT, bran, cacao, caramel powder, carob gum, carrageenin gum, cellulose, carbixymethyl cellulose, chocolate liquor (despite its name, chocolate liquor has no alcoholic content whatsoever- this is a roasted crushed cacao beans nibs), chocolate butter,cider, citric acid, high fructise corn syruo, corn syrup solids, cream of tartar, dextrose, disodium inosinate, EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid), farina, fructose, flour, glucose, gluten, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, iron, lactic acid, leavening (sodium aluminum sulfate, calciumacid phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium aluminun phosphate, mono calcium phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tartaric acid, dicalcium phosphate, glucono delta lactone), lecithin, lysine, malt malto dextrin, maltase, maltose, molasses, monosodium glutamate(MSG), niacin, nitrides, nitrate, papin, pectin, phospates, sodium or calcium propionate, vegetable protease, riboflavin, sodium benzoate, sorbate, sorbic acid, soya flour, soya protein concentrate, starch, sucrose, tapioca, thiamine, vinegar, yeast, zein, modified food starch, rice solids, oat fiber, zanthan gum, alginate, guar gum, methyl cellulose, wheat germ, triticale, and potassium bromate, Agar, algin, alum, ammonium hydroxide, annatto, annatto extract, aspartame, azodicarbonamide, beeswax, beet extract, bomelin, buckwheat, bulgur, calcium silicate, carbauba wax, chicle, chives, chocolate, FD&C colors, guar gum, karaya gum, kelp, licorice, locust bean gum, mailc acid, malted cereal syrup, maltol, oleoresin, paprika, polydextrose, psyllium, saccharin, semolina, silicon dioxide, sodium citrate, sorbitol, tarragon, textured vegetable protein, tofu, tragacanth, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce.
A Brief Informative List:
Company, Product--------------------------------------------------- Good/Bad
Carnation, Nonfat Dry Milk, Evaporated Milk, Malted Milk, Milkman, GOOD
Instant Breakfast Chocolate, Coffee & Variety Pack Low fat Dry Milk Products, BAD
Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix, Hot cocoa Mix, Hot Cocoa Mix with Marshmallow, BAD
Pet, Evaporated Milk, GOOD
Borden, Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, GOOD
Meyenberg, Evaporated Goat Milk, GOOD
Alba, Fitn Frosty, Hot Cocoa Mix, GOOD
Sport Shake, Shapely shake, GOOD
Dairy Shake, Chocolate, Vanilla Strawberry Flavors, Shake Mix, BAD
Snowcrest, Vanilla Flavored syrup, Strawberry Flavored Syrup, GOOD
Coffee Time, Coffee Syrup, GOOD
Hershey, Cocoa, Strawberry Syrup, GOOD
Chocolate Mix, Genuine Chocolate Flavor, BAD
Ovaltine, Rich Chocolate, Classic Ovaltine, Traditional Chocolate Malt Flavor, Original Malt
Flavor, Hot Cocoa Mix 50 Calorie Sugar Free Mint Hot Cocoa Mix, GOOD
Swiss Miss, Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix, Lite Hot Cocoa Mix, Milk, Chocolate, Hot Cocoa
Mix, BAD
Sun Glory, Chocolate Flavored Syrup, BAD
Nestle, Quik Real Chocolate Flavor Syrup, Quik Real Chocolate Flavor, Rich Chocolate
Flavor, Hot Cocoa Mix, Quik Artificially Strawberry Flavor, Quik Strawberry Milk, GOOD
Rich Chocolate, Flavor Hot Cocoa, Mix with Marshmallow, BAD
Foxubet, Chocolate Flavored Syrup, BAD
Choco Good, Chocolate Drink, BAD
Autocrat, Coffee Flavored Syrup, GOOD
Food Club, Nonfat Dry Milk, Evaporated Milk, GOOD
Chocolate Flavored Syrup, CocoaMix, Cocoa Marshmallow, BAD
Stop&Shop, Instant Nonfat Dry Milk, Evaporated Milk, Instant Chocolate Flavored Mix just
add Milk, Chocolate Flavored Syrup, GOOD
Instant Hot Cocoa with Marshmallow, Instant Hot Cocoa Mix, just add water, BAD
Chocolate Flavored Syrup, Nonfat Dry Milk, GOOD
Shoprite, Nonfat Dry Milk, GOOD
PathMark, Nonfat Dry Milk & Evaporated Milk with U or KD symbols, GOOD
COLD CEREAL
Nabisco, 100% Bran, 100% Bran with Oat Bran, Team Flakes, Shredded Wheatn Bran, Fruit Wheat, Spoon Size, Shredded Wheat with Oat Bran, Shredded Wheat, GOOD
Breakfast Bears, Teddy Graham Honey, Cinnamon, Chocolate Frosted Wheat Squares, BAD Sunshine, Shredded Wheat, GOOD
Ralston, Multi Bran Chex, Honey Chex, Chex, Oat Chex, Wheat Chex, Purina Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Batman, Almond Delight, Fruit Mesli Oat Bran Option, Cookies Crisp, Dinnersaurs, Dunkin Donuts, Nintendo, Jetson, Juniours, Honey Graham Chex, New Morning Oatios, GOOD
Turtles Cereal, Bill&Ted Excellent, BAD
Kelloggs, Rice Krispies Ready Eat Cereal, Rice Krispies Oven Toasted, Cereal Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops, Corn Flakes, Nut & Honey, Cocoa Krispies, Frosted Flakes, All Bran, Fruitful Bran, Just Right, Product 19, Heartwise, Nutrigrain, Crispix, Raisin Bran, Honey Smacks, Pops, Common Sense Oat Bran, Bran Flakes, Big Mix, Kenmei Rice Bran, Rasin Squares, GOOD
Variety Cereal, Mueslix, Frosted Miniwheat, Oatbake Raisin Nut, Oatbake Honey Bran, Craclin, S.W. Grahams, Oat Bran, BAD
General, Crispy Wheatn Raisin, Raisin Nut Bran, Apple Cinnamon Mills, Cherrios, Cherrios, Cherrios Oat Bran, Honey Nut Cherrios, Golden Graham, Trix, Wheaties, Total Cornflakes, Total Raisin Bran, Total Clusters, Fiber One, Oatmeal Raisin Crisp, CocoaPuffs, Body Buddies-Natural Fruit, Clusters, Corn Frosties, Corn Total, Country Corn Flakes, Kix,Triple, Oatmeal Raisin Crisp, Quick Total Oatmeal, Rice Crunchins, GOOD
Lucky Charm, Oatmeal Crisp, Count Chocula, BAD Post, Cocoa Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles, Honey Bunches of Oat with Almond, Oatflakes, Grape Nuts, Raisin Grape Nut, Raisin Bran, Alphabits, Honey Comb, Sugar Golden Crisp, Fruitn Fiber, GOOD
Alphabits with Marshmallow, Dino Pebbles, BAD
Quaker Crunchy Bran, Quaker Oat Squares, Life Cereal, Puffed Rice, Puffed Wheat, 100% Natural Cereal, GOOD
Ohs, Captain Crunch, BAD
REFRIGERATED DOUGH
Pillsbury, Crusty French Loaf, Pipin Hot Loaf, Soft Bread Sticks, Pizza Crust, Crescent Dinner Rolls, Best Chocolate cookies, Buttermilk Biscuits, Country Biscuits, Hungry Jack Butter, Milk Flaky Biscuits, Big Country Biscuits, Danish Rols, Cinnamon Rolls, BAD
CHEESE
Kraft, Natural Swiss Cheese Slices, Swiss Deli Thin Slices, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Whipped Cream Cheese, Grated-Parmesan Cheese, Italian Style, Neufchatel, GOOD
Velveeta, Single Swiss, American, Lightn Lively, Cheese Whiz, Fat Reduced Swiss Cheese, BAD
Borden, American Single, BAD
Land o Lake American Singles& All Cheeses, BAD
Shedds, Country Crock Fresh Ceddar, BAD
Sorrento, Ricotta Chese, GOOD
Shredded Mozzarella, Cheese String, BAD
Sorgento Polly O, Ricotta Cheese, Louis Bien, Natural Spiced Cheese with Garlic&Herb, GOOD
All Cheeses, String Cheese, BAD
Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Creem Cheese with Chives, King Smothee Imitation Cream Cheese, Axel Rod, Whole Milk Ricotta cheese, GOOD
Calabro, Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese, Whole Milk Mozzarella, GOOD
Migdal, Migdal Cheese Slices, GOOD
ShopRite, Soft Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese, Whipped Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, No Salt Ricotta Cheese, Park Skim Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Shredded Mozzarella, Mozzarella, BAD
Finast, Light Cream, Cream Cheese, Whipped Cream, Ricotta Cheese, Park Skim Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Temptee, Whipped Cream Cheese, GOOD
Miller, American Cheeses, GOOD
Formagg, Mozzarella Flavored Cheese Substitute, GOOD
A&P, Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Ched-o Bite & Melo Bit Cheese Slices, BAD
Tofutti, Better Than Cream Cheese, GOOD
Stop&Shop, Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Single Slices Cheese, BAD
Grand Union, Grand Union Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Single Slices Cheese, BAD
Alouette, Horsradish&Chive, Garlic&Spices, Garden Vegetable, GOOD
Waldbaum, Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Single Slices, BAD
PathMark, Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Single Slices Cheese, BAD
Friendship, Farmer Cheese, GOOD
Purity, Muenster, Caraway Muenster(w/hotpepper), Farmers Cheese, Company Burie(imported), Camembert, Romano, Parmesan, GOOD
Clearfield, Natural Cheese Kosher, Bland, GOOD
McCadm Co. Newyork State, BAD
TOOTH PASTE & MOUTHWASH
Colgate, Tartar Control, Colgate Great Regular Flavor, Colgate Winter Fresh, Colgate Junior, Colgate Tartar Control Gel, Ultrabrite Original Flavor, Ultrabrite Whiter Teeth Fresh, Breath, Ultrabrite Gel, Close Up New Improved, Close Up New&Improved, Close Up Tartar Control Gel, Aim Extra StrengthGel, Aim Regular Strength Gel, Pepsodent Fluoride,Aquafresh Tartar Control, Aquafresh for Kid, Aquafresh for Kid bubblemint Flavor Aquafresh Extra Fresh Pearl Drops Tooth polish, Pearl Drop Stain Fighting Tooth Polish, Topol Stain Fighting, Topol Stain Fighting Great, Viadent Original Flavor, Dentagard, New Taste, Colgate Peak with Natural Soda, Dental Care The Baking Soda, Crest Fresh mint Gel, Crest Tartar Control Original Flavor, Crest Tartar Control Fresh Mint, Denguel(Crest), Sensodyne(Crest), BAD
Viadent Fluoride, Aquafresh Triple Protection(tube only)), Peppermint Flavor (Toms of Maine), Cinnamon Flavor(Toms of Maine), Crest Regular Flavor, Crest Mint flavor, Sparkle Crest for Kid New with Sparkles, Sparkle Crest Wow Clear Tube, Crest Cool Mint Gel, Fix-A-Dent(Vicks Chem. Co.), GOOD
Toms of Maine, Natural Mouthwash, GOOD
Scope Original Mint, Scope Peppermint, Colgate Tartar Control Formula, Cool Mint Flavor, Peppermint Flavor, Lavoris, Cepacol, Cepacol Mint, Signal Mouth Wash, Listermint, Listerine(Contains alcohol, no glycerine), BAD
BAR SOAP
Procter & Gamble Lava, Kirks Castile, Zest, Coas, GOOD
Lever Brothers, Irish Spring, Dove, Lux, Shield, Lever 2000, Caress, BAD
Colgate, New Gold, Palmolive Gold&Green, Cashmere Bouquet, BAD
Palmolive Andrew Jergens, New Gentle Touch, BAD
Jergen Co. Others, Aloe & Lanolin, BAD
100 % beef fat only New Spirit, pure Nature, Tone, Mountain Fresh Dial & All. liquid and bar Dial soaps, BAD
NFCs Cruelty Free, Vitamin Soak, Aloe vera and other varieties (available in Nature Foods Stores or Nutritional Food Stores in Malls), GOOD
FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS
Burger King, (According to Their Nutrition Guide 1990) Bagel&Cream cheese, Bagel&Egg, Salad side(lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, celery & radish), salad dressing, ranch, reduced calorie, Light Italian, Biscuit, ocean catch fish fillet(request without bun and tartar sauces but bagel), cream cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, Mustard, Bulls eye Barbecue Sauce, Mushroom Topping, barbecue Dipping Sauce, Honey Dipping Sauce, Sweet & Sour dipping sauce, Tartar dipping sauce, Burger king AM Express Dip, Hash browns, Egg Mix, French Fries, Onion Rings, tartar tenders, GOOD
McDonalds, ( According to their nutrition guide 1990 ) Butter milk biscuits, Entemanns Baked products, McDonaldland cookies, Buns(North eastern US only) Filet o Fish without cheese(Northeastern US only) Hash browns, french fries, tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolate shake, Big Mac Sauce, Butter(for cooking egg), Biscuit spread, cake cones, red french Redued calories, grape jam, Grapefruit Juice, Orange Juice, Dehydrated Onion, Peanut for Sundae Topping, Hot Fudge Sundae Topping, Hot cake Syrup, Hot Caramel sundae topping, hot chocolate drink Base, hot mustard Sauce, ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Strawberry preserve Strawberry Sundae Topping, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Tartar sauce, GOOD
Pizza hut, Thin crisp Crust, cheese (from microbial), GOOD
Domino Pizza, Cheese pizza(call to confirm status of cheese) (In New England, New York City, New jersey enzymes used are made from kosher DNA, Illinois from microbial, Michigan microbial, California microbial), GOOD
As I was searching for "Is Gelatin Haram or Halal", a brother mentioned me a link and it was really helpful esp. for the brothers and sisters who live in non-muslim countries.
Please read it carefully. Jazakallah
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear muslim brothers and sisters!!,
Its an attempt being made to educate all Muslims in the San Diego, California area about the Islamic concept of Halaal/Haraam food and about what items sold in supermarkets and elsewhere are permissible for use. It's our duty of every muslim to do the right thing and inform other muslims of it too.
The article below gives a general background on Halaal/Haraam as pertaining to food.
(Questions from this may also be included in the competition). There is no question that food and drink are necessary for the maintenance of our bodies. To put it simply, we will cease to live if these vital necessities have been denied. But not only are our bodies affected by what we consume.
Other vital aspects of our nature are also affected. One of these is our minds. The health and clarity of our minds depend on the health of our bodies and thus also on what we eat and drink. Food together with drink then, can lead a person to vice (or virtue). For instance, a man under the influence of alcohol easily looses control of his abilities to reason. He can then utter the vilest phrases, behave in the most despicable manner, and indulge in activities the loathsomeness of which would have been unthinkable before.
Food also affects our spiritual nature. The spiritual potential of a human being can lead him or her to attain lofty heights of nearness to Allah, ineffable peace of mind, and profound understanding of the truths that lie behind the veils of nature. Wrong food, however, can inhibit this spiritual development. The Holy Prophet seems to have alluded to this derogative effect when he was reported to have said that the prayers of forty days of someone who has eaten unlawful food would not be accepted.
As we can see then, the right types of food contribute to the overall advancement of our total selves our bodies remain healthy, our minds become refined, and our souls progress unhindered.
Allah, in His mercy to us, in His desire for man to develop fully, has instructed us as to the types of food that are beneficial and those that are harmful. (Certain types of food are also probihited for reasons that are not easily discernable by us. Allah in His wisdom, is fully knowledgeable about these reasons, however). The food that is beneficial is lawful for us and is called Halaal in Arabic. The unlawful food is called Haraam.
Let us look at what types of food are Haraam. Haraam food comes under several categories according to Mishkat. The first comprises of those mentioned in the Quranic verse 6:122 which states: And dont eat of that on which Allahs name has not been mentioned. That is surely a transgression.
According to commentators of the Holy Quran, this verse indicates that the meat of a lawful animal or bird which is not slaughtered in the name of Allah cannot be eaten by a Muslim. Thus, for example, the meat of a chicken, turkey or cow cannot be eaten unless that bird or animal had been killed Islamically.
The way of slaughtering an animal to make its meat permissible has been explained in greater detail in the Hadith of the Holy Prophet. It is called Zabah in Arabic. Except in abnormal circumstances such as when an animal is being hunted down, Zabah is performed by first reciting Bismillah hir Rahmaanir Raheem or Bismillah Allahu Akbar three times and then cutting 4 vital organs in the region between the throat, head and breast bone of the animal.
The four vital organs to cut are: the wind pipe, the gullet, and the 2 jugular veins. Very important to note is that the knife should not touch the spinal chord. This means that the head of the animal should not be cut off or the neck broken during slaughter.
The second category of food is everything that is offered to idols. In some cultures people offer food, for example milk, to idols and then drink it. This milk is not permissible for us to drink if it is offered to us.
In the third category are all animals which die of themselves without the name of Allah being recited. This would include all animals strangled or beaten to death, or killed after being attacked by beasts or after falling.
In the next category are all beasts and birds of prey. In this category are all four legged creatures that use their teeth to seize their prey and all birds that seize their prey with their talons.
In the final category are all things injurious and repugnant to our health, life, morality, and intelligence. These would include unclean animals such as pigs, domesticated donkeys, cats, dogs, and also intoxicants like alcohol and drugs.
The Quranic verse 5:3 summarizes some of these categories. It states: Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any name besides Allah has been mentioned, and the strangled animal and that beaten to death, and that killed by being smitten with a horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten except what you slaughter.
The prohibitions mentioned above affect us in America by the fact that ingredients for food and other items we purchase may contain alcohol or may originate from animal sources. Because of this, knowledge of ingredients and how they are derived is very important.
Information for the article was gathered largely from the books:
Al-hadis of Mishkat-ul-Masabih
A Guide To What Ingredients to Avoid and How to Select A Halaal Food Product
[Information extracted from the book titled A Comprehensive List of Halal Food Products in
the U.S. Supermarkets by Syed Rasheeduddin Ahmed]
Kosher symbols written on food items:
The symbols K, KD, U, UD, K PARVE, CRS, or KMH indicate that the product is Kosher.
This means that in many cases the food may be good for use (for further confirmation, however, one should contact the manufacturer). In a few cases the item may not be Halaal even though the Kosher symbol is written.
Two examples are:
Kosher gelatin indicated by a K symbol or written in the ingredients as Kosher gelatin. Kosher gelatin will only be Halaal if the item is marked with a U symbol
The ingredients contain L_ Cysteine and there is a U symbol written on the item. L_Cysteine is a dough conditioner that may be derived from animal horn, human hair or from petroleum synthetic materials. If it comes from human hair the item is Haraam because Islaam does not allow use of human hair in food.
Kosher symbols written on beverages
Kosher symbols written on beverages does not mean that these commodities are Halaal. This is because alcohol may still be an ingredient.
Questionable ingredients
If the following items contain any of the ingredients stated below them, they may not be good for use. (The manufacturer can be contacted for confirmation).
Fruit Juices: Haraam Ingredients: Beta carotene or gelatin used during processing.
Cookies, Crackers, Biscuits and Bread Sticks: Haraam Ingredients: Lard, whey, mono & diglycerides, enzyme modified milk products, caseinates.
Peanut Butter: Haraam Ingredients: Monoglyceride or diglyceride.
Dried Milk Products/ Non-Dairy Creamers: Haraam Ingredients: Vitamins from pork source, milk solids from whey, caseinate, and lactose derived from pork rennet.
Hot and Cold Cereals: Haraam Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamins from pork source, gelatin in marshmallows.
Candies, Chew Gums, and Chocolate Bars: Haraam Ingredients: Mono & diglycerides, gelatin, whey, lactose (gum base, softener, and stearate may be from pork source in chewing gums).
Snacks, Potato Chips, Sauces, Mayonnaise, Salad Dressing, Cake Mix Seasoning, Bread Crumbs & Coating: Haraam Ingredients: Mono & diglycerides, polysorbate 60 or 80, whey, stearate, lard, cheese in snacks, propylglycol.
Spaghetti Sauce: Haraam Ingredients: May contain Romano cheese obtained through pork rennet.
Macaroni & Cheese Side Dinners: Haraam Ingredients: May contain dairy products obtained through pork rennet such as whey, caseinate, cheese solids, milk solids, and lactose.
Margarine, Cheese, Yogurt, Sour Cream, Cottage Cheese, Puddings: Haraam Ingredients: May contain dairy products obtained through pork rennet, gelatin from pork, whey, caseinate, milk solids, lactose, beta carotene, mono & diglycerides, and polysorbate 60 or 80.
Fish Products: Haraam Ingredients: Whey or lactose obtained through pork rennet and mono & diglycerides.
Ice Cream and Ice Cream Bars: Haraam Ingredients: Mono & diglycerides, polysorbate, sorbitan, stearate, gelatin from pork source, liquor, and rum flavors.
Bakery Products: Haraam Ingredients: Lard, emulsifiers like mono and diglycerides, polysorbat e 60 or 80, (dough conditioners like stearoyl 2-lactylate), whey, gelatin from pork, caseinate, sorbitan, monostearate, and rum flavors in cakes.
Tooth Paste and Mouth Wash: Haraam Ingredients: May contain alcohol or glycerine from pork.
Bar Soap: Haraam Ingredients: Sodium tallowate and glycerin. (Mono and diglycerides often become Halaal when a vegetable word is added before them.)
More information about Ingredients:
(A) Dual Status(Halal/Haram) Ingredients
The Following Ingredients most commonly found in the food product has a dual status. They could be Halal or Haram depending upon the source and use of enzymes. They will be halal if a Kosher symbol appears on the food package or inquiry with manufacturer about theirsource.
Milk Byproducts:
Caseinates;
Cheese solids;
Lactalbumin/lactoglobulin;
Lactose;
Milk Solids(addition of pork rennin whey or lactose);
Whey;
Enzyme modified milk;
Sweetened condensed milk (lactose from pork renni or whey make it haram);
Evaporated milk;
Heavy cream;
Light cream;
Light whipping cream;
Sour cream solids;
buttermilk solids.
Fat-Based ingrediends:
Any glycol;
Stearate;
Mono-glycrides;
Sodium stearoly lactylae;
Glycerin;
Enzyme madified lecithin;
Margarine;
Marshmallow;
Poloxyethylene;
Polysorbate;
Proylene glycol;
Softener;
Sorbitan monostearate;
Shortening;
Sorbiten
Ester;
Tocopheral;
Beta carotane;
L_ cysteine(from human hair or petroleum).
(B) Absolutely Haram Ingredients:
Bacon;
Ham;
Lard;
Pork;
Pork gelatin;
Enzymes from pork like rennin, pepsin;
Hard cider;
Fermented cider;
Wine vinegar;
Wine;
Rum.
(C) Halal Ingredients:
Acetic acid, amylase, ascorbic acid, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), baking powder, benzoic acid, BHA, BHT, bran, cacao, caramel powder, carob gum, carrageenin gum, cellulose, carbixymethyl cellulose, chocolate liquor (despite its name, chocolate liquor has no alcoholic content whatsoever- this is a roasted crushed cacao beans nibs), chocolate butter,cider, citric acid, high fructise corn syruo, corn syrup solids, cream of tartar, dextrose, disodium inosinate, EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid), farina, fructose, flour, glucose, gluten, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, iron, lactic acid, leavening (sodium aluminum sulfate, calciumacid phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium aluminun phosphate, mono calcium phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tartaric acid, dicalcium phosphate, glucono delta lactone), lecithin, lysine, malt malto dextrin, maltase, maltose, molasses, monosodium glutamate(MSG), niacin, nitrides, nitrate, papin, pectin, phospates, sodium or calcium propionate, vegetable protease, riboflavin, sodium benzoate, sorbate, sorbic acid, soya flour, soya protein concentrate, starch, sucrose, tapioca, thiamine, vinegar, yeast, zein, modified food starch, rice solids, oat fiber, zanthan gum, alginate, guar gum, methyl cellulose, wheat germ, triticale, and potassium bromate, Agar, algin, alum, ammonium hydroxide, annatto, annatto extract, aspartame, azodicarbonamide, beeswax, beet extract, bomelin, buckwheat, bulgur, calcium silicate, carbauba wax, chicle, chives, chocolate, FD&C colors, guar gum, karaya gum, kelp, licorice, locust bean gum, mailc acid, malted cereal syrup, maltol, oleoresin, paprika, polydextrose, psyllium, saccharin, semolina, silicon dioxide, sodium citrate, sorbitol, tarragon, textured vegetable protein, tofu, tragacanth, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce.
A Brief Informative List:
Company, Product--------------------------------------------------- Good/Bad
Carnation, Nonfat Dry Milk, Evaporated Milk, Malted Milk, Milkman, GOOD
Instant Breakfast Chocolate, Coffee & Variety Pack Low fat Dry Milk Products, BAD
Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix, Hot cocoa Mix, Hot Cocoa Mix with Marshmallow, BAD
Pet, Evaporated Milk, GOOD
Borden, Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, GOOD
Meyenberg, Evaporated Goat Milk, GOOD
Alba, Fitn Frosty, Hot Cocoa Mix, GOOD
Sport Shake, Shapely shake, GOOD
Dairy Shake, Chocolate, Vanilla Strawberry Flavors, Shake Mix, BAD
Snowcrest, Vanilla Flavored syrup, Strawberry Flavored Syrup, GOOD
Coffee Time, Coffee Syrup, GOOD
Hershey, Cocoa, Strawberry Syrup, GOOD
Chocolate Mix, Genuine Chocolate Flavor, BAD
Ovaltine, Rich Chocolate, Classic Ovaltine, Traditional Chocolate Malt Flavor, Original Malt
Flavor, Hot Cocoa Mix 50 Calorie Sugar Free Mint Hot Cocoa Mix, GOOD
Swiss Miss, Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix, Lite Hot Cocoa Mix, Milk, Chocolate, Hot Cocoa
Mix, BAD
Sun Glory, Chocolate Flavored Syrup, BAD
Nestle, Quik Real Chocolate Flavor Syrup, Quik Real Chocolate Flavor, Rich Chocolate
Flavor, Hot Cocoa Mix, Quik Artificially Strawberry Flavor, Quik Strawberry Milk, GOOD
Rich Chocolate, Flavor Hot Cocoa, Mix with Marshmallow, BAD
Foxubet, Chocolate Flavored Syrup, BAD
Choco Good, Chocolate Drink, BAD
Autocrat, Coffee Flavored Syrup, GOOD
Food Club, Nonfat Dry Milk, Evaporated Milk, GOOD
Chocolate Flavored Syrup, CocoaMix, Cocoa Marshmallow, BAD
Stop&Shop, Instant Nonfat Dry Milk, Evaporated Milk, Instant Chocolate Flavored Mix just
add Milk, Chocolate Flavored Syrup, GOOD
Instant Hot Cocoa with Marshmallow, Instant Hot Cocoa Mix, just add water, BAD
Chocolate Flavored Syrup, Nonfat Dry Milk, GOOD
Shoprite, Nonfat Dry Milk, GOOD
PathMark, Nonfat Dry Milk & Evaporated Milk with U or KD symbols, GOOD
COLD CEREAL
Nabisco, 100% Bran, 100% Bran with Oat Bran, Team Flakes, Shredded Wheatn Bran, Fruit Wheat, Spoon Size, Shredded Wheat with Oat Bran, Shredded Wheat, GOOD
Breakfast Bears, Teddy Graham Honey, Cinnamon, Chocolate Frosted Wheat Squares, BAD Sunshine, Shredded Wheat, GOOD
Ralston, Multi Bran Chex, Honey Chex, Chex, Oat Chex, Wheat Chex, Purina Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Batman, Almond Delight, Fruit Mesli Oat Bran Option, Cookies Crisp, Dinnersaurs, Dunkin Donuts, Nintendo, Jetson, Juniours, Honey Graham Chex, New Morning Oatios, GOOD
Turtles Cereal, Bill&Ted Excellent, BAD
Kelloggs, Rice Krispies Ready Eat Cereal, Rice Krispies Oven Toasted, Cereal Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops, Corn Flakes, Nut & Honey, Cocoa Krispies, Frosted Flakes, All Bran, Fruitful Bran, Just Right, Product 19, Heartwise, Nutrigrain, Crispix, Raisin Bran, Honey Smacks, Pops, Common Sense Oat Bran, Bran Flakes, Big Mix, Kenmei Rice Bran, Rasin Squares, GOOD
Variety Cereal, Mueslix, Frosted Miniwheat, Oatbake Raisin Nut, Oatbake Honey Bran, Craclin, S.W. Grahams, Oat Bran, BAD
General, Crispy Wheatn Raisin, Raisin Nut Bran, Apple Cinnamon Mills, Cherrios, Cherrios, Cherrios Oat Bran, Honey Nut Cherrios, Golden Graham, Trix, Wheaties, Total Cornflakes, Total Raisin Bran, Total Clusters, Fiber One, Oatmeal Raisin Crisp, CocoaPuffs, Body Buddies-Natural Fruit, Clusters, Corn Frosties, Corn Total, Country Corn Flakes, Kix,Triple, Oatmeal Raisin Crisp, Quick Total Oatmeal, Rice Crunchins, GOOD
Lucky Charm, Oatmeal Crisp, Count Chocula, BAD Post, Cocoa Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles, Honey Bunches of Oat with Almond, Oatflakes, Grape Nuts, Raisin Grape Nut, Raisin Bran, Alphabits, Honey Comb, Sugar Golden Crisp, Fruitn Fiber, GOOD
Alphabits with Marshmallow, Dino Pebbles, BAD
Quaker Crunchy Bran, Quaker Oat Squares, Life Cereal, Puffed Rice, Puffed Wheat, 100% Natural Cereal, GOOD
Ohs, Captain Crunch, BAD
REFRIGERATED DOUGH
Pillsbury, Crusty French Loaf, Pipin Hot Loaf, Soft Bread Sticks, Pizza Crust, Crescent Dinner Rolls, Best Chocolate cookies, Buttermilk Biscuits, Country Biscuits, Hungry Jack Butter, Milk Flaky Biscuits, Big Country Biscuits, Danish Rols, Cinnamon Rolls, BAD
CHEESE
Kraft, Natural Swiss Cheese Slices, Swiss Deli Thin Slices, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Whipped Cream Cheese, Grated-Parmesan Cheese, Italian Style, Neufchatel, GOOD
Velveeta, Single Swiss, American, Lightn Lively, Cheese Whiz, Fat Reduced Swiss Cheese, BAD
Borden, American Single, BAD
Land o Lake American Singles& All Cheeses, BAD
Shedds, Country Crock Fresh Ceddar, BAD
Sorrento, Ricotta Chese, GOOD
Shredded Mozzarella, Cheese String, BAD
Sorgento Polly O, Ricotta Cheese, Louis Bien, Natural Spiced Cheese with Garlic&Herb, GOOD
All Cheeses, String Cheese, BAD
Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Creem Cheese with Chives, King Smothee Imitation Cream Cheese, Axel Rod, Whole Milk Ricotta cheese, GOOD
Calabro, Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese, Whole Milk Mozzarella, GOOD
Migdal, Migdal Cheese Slices, GOOD
ShopRite, Soft Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese, Whipped Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, No Salt Ricotta Cheese, Park Skim Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Shredded Mozzarella, Mozzarella, BAD
Finast, Light Cream, Cream Cheese, Whipped Cream, Ricotta Cheese, Park Skim Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Temptee, Whipped Cream Cheese, GOOD
Miller, American Cheeses, GOOD
Formagg, Mozzarella Flavored Cheese Substitute, GOOD
A&P, Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Ched-o Bite & Melo Bit Cheese Slices, BAD
Tofutti, Better Than Cream Cheese, GOOD
Stop&Shop, Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Single Slices Cheese, BAD
Grand Union, Grand Union Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Single Slices Cheese, BAD
Alouette, Horsradish&Chive, Garlic&Spices, Garden Vegetable, GOOD
Waldbaum, Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Single Slices, BAD
PathMark, Cream Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, GOOD
Single Slices Cheese, BAD
Friendship, Farmer Cheese, GOOD
Purity, Muenster, Caraway Muenster(w/hotpepper), Farmers Cheese, Company Burie(imported), Camembert, Romano, Parmesan, GOOD
Clearfield, Natural Cheese Kosher, Bland, GOOD
McCadm Co. Newyork State, BAD
TOOTH PASTE & MOUTHWASH
Colgate, Tartar Control, Colgate Great Regular Flavor, Colgate Winter Fresh, Colgate Junior, Colgate Tartar Control Gel, Ultrabrite Original Flavor, Ultrabrite Whiter Teeth Fresh, Breath, Ultrabrite Gel, Close Up New Improved, Close Up New&Improved, Close Up Tartar Control Gel, Aim Extra StrengthGel, Aim Regular Strength Gel, Pepsodent Fluoride,Aquafresh Tartar Control, Aquafresh for Kid, Aquafresh for Kid bubblemint Flavor Aquafresh Extra Fresh Pearl Drops Tooth polish, Pearl Drop Stain Fighting Tooth Polish, Topol Stain Fighting, Topol Stain Fighting Great, Viadent Original Flavor, Dentagard, New Taste, Colgate Peak with Natural Soda, Dental Care The Baking Soda, Crest Fresh mint Gel, Crest Tartar Control Original Flavor, Crest Tartar Control Fresh Mint, Denguel(Crest), Sensodyne(Crest), BAD
Viadent Fluoride, Aquafresh Triple Protection(tube only)), Peppermint Flavor (Toms of Maine), Cinnamon Flavor(Toms of Maine), Crest Regular Flavor, Crest Mint flavor, Sparkle Crest for Kid New with Sparkles, Sparkle Crest Wow Clear Tube, Crest Cool Mint Gel, Fix-A-Dent(Vicks Chem. Co.), GOOD
Toms of Maine, Natural Mouthwash, GOOD
Scope Original Mint, Scope Peppermint, Colgate Tartar Control Formula, Cool Mint Flavor, Peppermint Flavor, Lavoris, Cepacol, Cepacol Mint, Signal Mouth Wash, Listermint, Listerine(Contains alcohol, no glycerine), BAD
BAR SOAP
Procter & Gamble Lava, Kirks Castile, Zest, Coas, GOOD
Lever Brothers, Irish Spring, Dove, Lux, Shield, Lever 2000, Caress, BAD
Colgate, New Gold, Palmolive Gold&Green, Cashmere Bouquet, BAD
Palmolive Andrew Jergens, New Gentle Touch, BAD
Jergen Co. Others, Aloe & Lanolin, BAD
100 % beef fat only New Spirit, pure Nature, Tone, Mountain Fresh Dial & All. liquid and bar Dial soaps, BAD
NFCs Cruelty Free, Vitamin Soak, Aloe vera and other varieties (available in Nature Foods Stores or Nutritional Food Stores in Malls), GOOD
FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS
Burger King, (According to Their Nutrition Guide 1990) Bagel&Cream cheese, Bagel&Egg, Salad side(lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, celery & radish), salad dressing, ranch, reduced calorie, Light Italian, Biscuit, ocean catch fish fillet(request without bun and tartar sauces but bagel), cream cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, Mustard, Bulls eye Barbecue Sauce, Mushroom Topping, barbecue Dipping Sauce, Honey Dipping Sauce, Sweet & Sour dipping sauce, Tartar dipping sauce, Burger king AM Express Dip, Hash browns, Egg Mix, French Fries, Onion Rings, tartar tenders, GOOD
McDonalds, ( According to their nutrition guide 1990 ) Butter milk biscuits, Entemanns Baked products, McDonaldland cookies, Buns(North eastern US only) Filet o Fish without cheese(Northeastern US only) Hash browns, french fries, tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolate shake, Big Mac Sauce, Butter(for cooking egg), Biscuit spread, cake cones, red french Redued calories, grape jam, Grapefruit Juice, Orange Juice, Dehydrated Onion, Peanut for Sundae Topping, Hot Fudge Sundae Topping, Hot cake Syrup, Hot Caramel sundae topping, hot chocolate drink Base, hot mustard Sauce, ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Strawberry preserve Strawberry Sundae Topping, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Tartar sauce, GOOD
Pizza hut, Thin crisp Crust, cheese (from microbial), GOOD
Domino Pizza, Cheese pizza(call to confirm status of cheese) (In New England, New York City, New jersey enzymes used are made from kosher DNA, Illinois from microbial, Michigan microbial, California microbial), GOOD
