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Halal Economy: Encyclopedia of the Halal Industry
Author : Dr. Safwan Odaybat
Date Added : 06-09-2023

Halal Economy: Encyclopedia of the Halal Industry

 

 

One of the most important contemporary scientific encyclopedias that has served the Islamic economy (the field of the halal economy) is the (Encyclopedia of the Halal Industry), which is considered a unique encyclopedic work in the field of the halal industry and its related fatwas and rulings.

This encyclopedia was prepared, compiled, and organized by the (Research Unit of the Fatwa Department) within the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Kuwait, and the first edition was printed in 2020.

 

The encyclopedia was structured with an academic introduction followed by eleven chapters organized in a jurisprudential manner, divided into three parts. The introduction included important headings as an entry point to the encyclopedia. After discussing the significance of the encyclopedia and its methodology and work plan, it delved into Islam's concern for food and drink, their regulations, and the role of the Fatwa Department in the halal industry. The introduction concluded with Quranic verses, Hadiths, historical accounts, and important terminology related to the halal industry, each discussed separately.

 

As for the chapters of the encyclopedia:

 

In the first part, there are two chapters: the chapter on religious rulings (fatwas) regarding food, and the chapter on religious rulings regarding drinks.

In the second part, there are three chapters: the chapter on religious rulings regarding slaughtering (tazkiyah), the chapter on religious rulings regarding utensils, and the chapter on religious rulings regarding purification and impurity (taharah and najasah).

In the third and final part, there are six chapters: the chapter on religious rulings regarding drugs and intoxicants, the chapter on religious rulings regarding additives, the chapter on religious rulings regarding medicine and treatment, the chapter on religious rulings regarding cosmetic products, the chapter on religious rulings regarding clothing and adornment, and the chapter on miscellaneous religious rulings.

 

The importance of the encyclopedia is highlighted in the following ways:

First: This encyclopedia is unique in its collection of fatwas from scholars of the four major Islamic schools of thought since the second century of the Islamic calendar. It also includes fatwas issued by fatwa bodies and institutions in the Arab and Islamic worlds, as well as the rulings of reputable scholars from the past and contemporary eras, and the decisions of Islamic jurisprudential councils, all related to the halal industry.

 

Second: The encyclopedia contributes to spreading awareness of the intricacies, details, and regulations of the halal industry among students of knowledge, research centers, and the Muslim community at large.

 

Third: The encyclopedia serves as a distinguished reference for understanding the fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and usul (principles) related to the halal industry. These are highlighted with bold text and enclosed in brackets.

 

Fourt: The introductory section of the encyclopedia acts as a credible reference for all the Quranic verses, Hadiths, and narrations related to the halal industry, making it easy for researchers to access them in their scholarly studies.

Fifth: The encyclopedia serves as a reputable reference for essential terminology related to the halal industry.

 

Sixth: It is a trusted and accessible resource for Islamic minority communities living in non-Muslim societies, as it contains fatwas relevant to their specific environments.

 

Seventh: The encyclopedia's methodology involves organizing fatwas within each chapter and categorizing them chronologically. Each fatwa is assigned a sequential number, facilitating easy reference and citation. This approach makes it a unique encyclopedia in terms of its methodology and the organization of its fatwas.

 

In light of this unique encyclopedic endeavor, we express our gratitude to the Fatwa Department in the State of Kuwait. We also hope that all fatwa bodies, research centers, universities, and institutes in the Arab and Islamic worlds will actively contribute to the service of Islamic knowledge and the facilitation of access to it through collective and encyclopedic efforts in all its principles and branches.

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

If someone fasts on the White Days with the intention of making up for missed fasts (qada), will they receive the reward for both voluntary and obligatory fasting?

Making up missed obligatory fasts (qada) is mandatory, and the intention for qada must be specified.
If a person makes up their missed Ramadan fasts on the White Days, they must intend qada, but they may also intend to fast the White Days, and Allah willing, they will receive the reward for both.
This is similar to entering a mosque and praying an obligatory prayer, where the person also earns the reward of Tahiyyat al-Masjid (greeting the mosque) if they intend both.
● If the person missed their fasts due to a valid excuse, they may wait and fast on the White Days.
● However, if they missed the fasts without a valid excuse, they must make up the fasts immediately and should not delay them until the White Days.

What is the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr?

It is enough to know its great status that Allah revealed an entire surah about it—Surah Al-Qadr. Moreover, the Quran was first revealed on this night.
Allah says {what means}:
"We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!... This until the rise of morn!" [Al-Qadr/1-5]
The Prophet ﷺ taught us to observe I‘tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan, seeking Laylat al-Qadr. Whoever worships Allah and revives this night will receive the reward of worshiping for a thousand months—excluding Laylat al-Qadr itself.

What are the conditions for a valid Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
First: The age of the animal must meet the Sharia requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of sacrifice:
 
Camels: Must have completed five years and entered their sixth.
 
Cows: Must have completed two years and entered their third.
 
Goats: Must have completed two years and entered their third. As for Sheep, they must have completed one year and entered their second.
 
Some scholars have permitted goats that have completed one year and entered their second.
 
The Hanafi school, along with an opinion in the Maliki school, permits sacrificing sheep that are at least six months old, provided they are healthy and physically substantial. According to the Shafi’i school, it is permissible if the sheep sheds its front teeth (ajdha') before reaching one year [Al-Iqna’, by Al-Shirbini (Vol.2/P.588)].
 
Second: Soundness and freedom from defects. The animal must be free from any defect that causes a decrease in its meat or market value. This is based on the hadith narrated by Al-Bara' bin 'Azib, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
 
"Four [defects] are not permissible in sacrifices: A one-eyed animal whose blindness is evident, a sick animal whose illness is evident, a lame animal whose lameness is evident, and an emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones." [Reported by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, who graded it as authentic].
 
These defects are detailed as follows:
 
Evident Lameness: It is not permissible to sacrifice a lame animal if the lameness is severe enough to prevent it from walking to the pasture or seeking food, as this leads to a decrease in its meat. However, slight lameness that does not hinder its grazing is overlooked.
 
Evident Blindness (One-eyed): It is not permissible to sacrifice a sheep, cow, or camel that has a white film over its eye blocking light, or one that has lost an eye entirely. Weak vision that does not affect its ability to eat does not prevent the sacrifice from being valid.
 
Evident Illness: An animal with a clear sickness that prevents it from eating or moving is not valid. This includes severe mange (Jarab) that spoils the meat.
 
Extreme Emaciation: An animal so thin that there is no marrow left in its bones is invalid. The standard for emaciation that invalidates the sacrifice is that which spoils the quality of the meat to the point that people would find it undesirable even in times of plenty.
 
Additional Considerations:
These are the defects mentioned in the Prophetic tradition, and any defect that causes emaciation or reduces the meat or value is compared to them by analogy. This includes animals that are mentally unstable (diseased), those with mange, or those with a missing ear. In contrast, a slit or pierced ear does not affect the validity of the sacrifice. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Must a woman seek her husband's permission to fast a make up fast (qada)?

● If there is ample time to make up for the missed fasts, a woman should seek her husband's permission before fasting.
● However, if the time is running out—such as when only the remaining days of Sha'ban are sufficient to complete the qada—she does not need his permission and must fast, because Allah’s command takes precedence over the husband's consent.