The Theory of Sharia Rulings in Halal Meat Production and Slaughtering Practices

نَظَرِيَّةُ الأحْكَامِ الشَّرْعِيَّةِ فِي إِنْتَاجِ اللُّحُومِ الحَلَالِ وَمُمَارَسَاتِ الذَّبْحِ

Abstract

Halal meat and the industry is generally estimated to be worth over about US$700 billion, with a number of producers, meat products, certification bodies and consumers growing rapidly every year. Unusually, the demand for halal meats and other products has become a global challenge, not only among the Muslim countries, rather, among the non-Muslim countries as well. The exclusive characteristics of halal meat which emphasizes not only on certain rules of sharia, but also on various sensitive and best practices such as cleanliness and hygiene have symbolized the universal value of the product. Hence, the demand that has been established for such products has become a global phenomenal, especially in countries where Muslims are the majority. It should be kept in minds that though these sensitivity and best practices in halal meat production and the management are very important, the understanding of sharia rulings in dealing with halal matters is of paramount significance. This study intends to explore various sharia rulings and principles which are necessary for slaughtering these animals by Islamic concept of slaughtering and the conventional way of stunning in European countries, and in further in the production and management of halal slaughtering and consumption of its meat around the world and Pakistan in particular.