Halaal food certification
Question:-
What is the difference between the different Halaal-certifying bodies such as MJC, SANHA, NIHT and ICSA? Is any of one them more trustworthy or reliable than the other?
If a restaurant is Muslim-owned, do you still need to check their certification, or is it fine to consume without carrying out any check on them?
Some feel that SANHA is a money-making organization, and others feel that MJC isn’t trustworthy.
Answer:-
We are not in the position to comment as to which Halaal-certifying body is more authentic than the next. The question is, “To what extent can Halaal-certifying bodies be trusted?” We very often hear of certain outlets being certified as Halaal, but soon afterwards it is discovered that the store had been selling Haraam products, hence, the certification had to be withdrawn. In the interim, how many Muslim people have been eating Haraam food! This is the danger of Halaal-certification! Simple-minded Muslims, having confidence on the Halaal-certification and company logo, purchase food items from the store expecting it to be Halaal but the reality is otherwise. Not very long ago, a Halaal-certifying body’s logo was found on swine, indicating that it is Halaal for consumption, whereas every portion of the swine is impure. We, therefore, advise the Muslim public not to rely on any Halaal-certification, rather it is our personal duty to ensure that we eat 100% Halaal food.
It is necessary for Muslims (that intend eating at any outlet) to ensure that the food being served at the outlet or restaurant is 100% Halaal. We cannot be content that the food is Halaal simply because the outlet is Muslim-owned. The level of Taqwa and piety of the Muslim Ummah has deteriorated to such a great extent that money-hungry businessmen are more concerned of amassing wealth rather than protecting the Imaan of the Ummah, hence, it is difficult for one to be satisfied that the food served in a Muslim-owned outlet is Halaal, simply on the basis that the outlet is Muslim-owned. How many Muslim-owned outlets have been caught selling Haraam food items in the past?!
In the Quraan Sharif, Allah Ta’ala commands the messengers to consume pure food and carry out righteous deeds. The command to consume Halaal is brought first, and then the injunction of carrying out righteous deeds. This indicates that righteous deeds are dependent on the food that we consume. A single morsel of Haraam is sufficient to destroy the spirituality of a person. The Duas of such a person are rejected in the court of Almighty Allah. It creates darkness in the heart and as a result, obeying the commands of Allah Ta’ala becomes difficult. One finds it difficult to perform the five daily Salaah, recite Quraan Sharif, engage in Zikr etc. These are some of the disastrous effects of consuming Haraam food.
In conclusion, we should not depend on Halaal authorizing bodies. We should be concerned of our food intake and ensure that we purchase 100% Halaal products and prepare our food at home. Also, it is best that we slaughter our own chickens and animals so that there is no doubt whatsoever in the meat that we are consuming.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 04 Rajab 1443 / 07 March 2022