What is Dhabiha Halal ?

Dhabiĥa halal is relatively difficult to adhere to in a non-Muslim country:

• Depending on the presence or absence of a significant Muslim population in the area, searching for Halal Grocery Stores, Halal Meat Stores, and Halal Restaurant which serve/sell halal foods can be a rather difficult.

• The abundance of pork and non-dhabiha meats at restaurants presents a rather critial problem to solve. While a Muslim will not order a haram dish, there is a doubt about haram contamination. This is so common when the dhabiĥa halal dish is prepared with the same utensils as other non-dhabiĥa halal dishes. Food and beverage from the two dishes are likely to be contaminated, technically rendering the dhabiĥa halal dish as haram.

• Most of the meat-free dishes, and even some bakery items, contain pork, gelatin, or other non-conforming substances. There is question raise in the Muslim community about food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) that may use haram enzymes derived from pig fat in the manufacturing process. It is almost impossible to avoid such food additives as they are commonly used and are not declared on restaurant menus.

• Alcohol, especially Rice wine, is frequently used in chinese cooking. It is widely used in sauces and cakes, and is also largely used as an ingredient in vanilla and other extracts. Some contend that this is not a concern, so long as the alcohol has been thoroughly burned off in the cooking process. Please consult your sheik or Imam on this topic.

The Muslim slaughterer who carries out Dhabh (Islamic method of slaughter) cuts the two jugular veins, which transport blood from the brain to the heart, and the two carotid arteries, which blood flow from the heart to the brain. This leads to blood drainage immediately which results in a sudden dip in blood pressure. Meanwhile, signals are still being transmitted from the brain to the heart to pump more blood to the brain. This action causes more blood to pass out of the cuttinf area. In addition, natural responses from the pulse, respiration, and blood ejaculation by muscular contraction and movements of the limbs further result in a more thorough bleeding.

Dhabh ensures the quality, cleaness and safety of the fresh Halal Meat. The objective of the Islamic slaughter is to ensure maximal blood drainage from the animal as Muslim belief blood is a good culture medium for microorganisms to flourish. Having ensure that the blood vessels of the animal is severed correctly to allow for swift bleeding, the Muslim slaughterer must be careful not to cut the animal’s spinal cord. Failing so, this precaution would damage the nerve fibres to the heart, causing cardiac arrest, stagnating the blood in the blood vessels, thus further exacerbate the problem of microorganism invasion.