What Everybody Ought to Know About Halal Status of Organic Meat

It is clear that organic meat derived from halal animals (cows, goats, chickens, etc.) which are slaughtered in the Islamic way (following the rules of Islamic law) is halal for Muslims. However, there is a problem with meat derived from halal animals if they are fed by carcasses during their growth. Many American Muslims have started to reject halal animals that are slaughtered Islamically because during their growth they are fed by carcasses. They prefer organic halal meat, not just any halal meat.

Illustration by Raimy Sofyan
Illustration by Raimy Sofyan

Currently, not many countries in the world have become aware of this problem. As long as the animals have been slaughtered according to Islam then the meat is halal and to be consumed. The author agrees that feeding during the raising of animals should be considered, not only for health reasons (to avoid the occurrence of mad cow disease), but also in terms of Islamic law which is the halal status. Halal status is questionable when it is taken into consideration that if something does not thoyyib it could be categorized as not halal.

In Islamic law we know jalalahJalalah are farm animals (cows, goats, camels, chickens, etc.) that consume dirt. As long as the animal is eating dirt then we call it jalalahJalalah is haram and is forbiddent to be eaten, ridden, or to even drink the milk of jalalah animals. Jalalah status is removed when the animal is kept away from dirt and made to consume clean food until the dirty food effect is gone; thus the status of this animal becomes halal when it is slaughtered in the Islamic way.

Interpretation of the term dirt can vary. It could mean fecal droppings, and it can also refer to an analogy of the carcass (except the fish carcasses and locusts). Blood also goes into the category of dirt. If the animals were fed by carcasses other than fish and locust carcasses, and blood continuously, does it not mean that the animal is in the category of jalalah? And isn’t it haram to be consumed even though it is slaughtered Islamically?

It is of course not within the authority of the author to set this up as an instruction but it is a task for jurists or scholars in appointments of halal institutions, however, given the evidence available, the author recommends that consumers prefer halal organic meat, because it is healthy and there is no doubt of its halal status as long as it is slaughtered Islamically.

Scroll to Top