Halal or Not Halal: What is the Difference? By Amar Prakash Singh

Tejwant Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 15-Jul-2007, 08:41 AM

Halal or Not Halal: What is the Difference?

By Amar Prakash Singh

I have always found the concept of Halal very mystifying. Recently there has been much comment about the subject, especially the controversy over comments made by Inder Singh Ghagga that stated that Guru Nanak may have eaten Halal. With this in mind, I wanted to really look at what Halal is and what the Gurus said about.

According to the Rehit, one of the transgressions of a Sikh is to not eat the meat of an animal slaughtered in the Muslim way.I believe that we have confused how an animal is killed and what Halal really is. It is a moot point that there is no humane way to kill an animal. If you believe that it is unacceptable to eat a chicken that has had its throat slit and bled to death but somehow find it acceptable to eat a chicken that has died by having an electrode shoved up its rectum and electrocuted, you are totally missing the point.

What really makes something Halal is not the method of killing but the fact that some ritual or prayer has somehow made the food sanctified or purified in order to make it acceptable and thus every thing else as unacceptable. There should not be any food that is acceptable or unacceptable to a Sikh because Sikhs have no such rituals.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/gurmat-vichaar/16239-halal-not-halal-what-difference-amar.html

With this said, I find that the group that is most upset about the comments about Guru Nanak eating Halal, the Akhand Kirtini Jatha, has a diet that is almost a text book example of the above definition of Halal.

Let's take a look at what the Gurus had to say about Halal.

"Let what is earned righteously be your blessed food." Guru Arjan page 1084

To Guru Arjan, the only thing that would make a food not blessed would be to earn it non righteously.

In fact, the aim of a Sikh is to become Halal and be purified by the knife in order to be “attached to the Lord.”

"First Mehl: The knife is Truth, and its steel is totally True. Its workmanship is incomparably beautiful. It is sharpened on the grindstone of the Shabad. It is placed in the scabbard of virtue. If the Shaykh is killed with that, then the blood of greed will spill out. One who is slaughtered in this ritualistic way, will be attached to the Lord. O Nanak, at the Lord's door, he is absorbed into His Blessed Vision. 2 "Guru Nanak page 956
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=16239

The only thing that a Sikh should consider as Halal is a Liberated One.

"FIRST MEHL: The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom. What is called meat, and what is called green vegetables? What leads to sin?" Guru Nanak page 1289

What I believe the Guru is saying is that food is food and it is foolish to argue about what we should eat. How can there be a sin committed when all we are doing is eating to survive. Then how can a sin be committed if the meat is Halal or not. It is in the mind of the individual if it is Halal or not. I choose to see nothing as Halal and I believe Guru Nanak would have also. I believe that if the food that was served to Guru Nanak was Halal, the food that he ate was not. Eating has nothing to do with spiritual attainment and neither is the manner that it is killed.

Later he writes:

“Those who renounce meat, and hold their noses when sitting near it, devour men at night. They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or spiritual wisdom. O Nanak, what can be said to the blind people? They cannot answer, or even understand what is said. They alone are blind, who act blindly. They have no eyes in their hearts. They are produced from the blood of their mothers and fathers, but they do not eat fish or meat.” Guru Nanak page 1289

Here the Guru is saying that vegetarians who look down their noses at people who eat meat are also fools. I remember a conversation I had with a woman from 3HO. I mentioned that someone who we both knew ate meat. Her reply was: 'Then how can he be an Amritdhari Sikh?' This is exactly what Guruji condemns in the above.

When I took Amrit, not eating meat was a part of the vows. I realize now that whether you eat meat or not, should not be a requirement of a group but the choice of the individual.

Transition into Infinity

Randip Singh · #2 (**permalink**) 15-Jul-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaheguruSeekr

Halal or Not Halal: What is the Difference?

By Amar Prakash Singh

I have always found the concept of Halal very mystifying. Recently there has been much comment about the subject, especially the controversy over comments made by Inder Singh Ghagga that stated that Guru Nanak may have eaten Halal. With this in mind, I wanted to really look at what Halal is and what the Gurus said about.

According to the Rehit, one of the transgressions of a Sikh is to not eat the meat of an animal slaughtered in the Muslim way.I believe that we have confused how an animal is killed and what Halal really is. It is a moot point that there is no humane way to kill an animal. If you believe that it is unacceptable to eat a chicken that has had its throat slit and bled to death but somehow find it acceptable to eat a chicken that has died by having an electrode shoved up its rectum and electrocuted, you are totally missing the point.

What really makes something Halal is not the method of killing but the fact that some ritual or prayer has somehow made the food sanctified or purified in order to make it acceptable and thus every thing else as unacceptable. There should not be any food that is acceptable or unacceptable to a Sikh because Sikhs have no such rituals.

With this said, I find that the group that is most upset about the comments about Guru Nanak eating Halal, the Akhand Kirtini Jatha, has a diet that is almost a text book example of the above definition of Halal.

Let's take a look at what the Gurus had to say about Halal.

"Let what is earned righteously be your blessed food." Guru Arjan page 1084

To Guru Arjan, the only thing that would make a food not blessed would be to earn it non righteously.

In fact, the aim of a Sikh is to become Halal and be purified by the knife in order to be “attached to the Lord.”

"First Mehl: The knife is Truth, and its steel is totally True. Its workmanship is incomparably beautiful. It is sharpened on the grindstone of the Shabad. It is placed in the scabbard of virtue. If the Shaykh is killed with that, then the blood of greed will spill out. One who is slaughtered in this ritualistic way, will be attached to the Lord. O Nanak, at the Lord's door, he is absorbed into His Blessed Vision. 2 "Guru Nanak page 956

The only thing that a Sikh should consider as Halal is a Liberated One.

"FIRST MEHL: The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom. What is called meat, and what is called green vegetables? What leads to sin?" Guru Nanak page 1289

What I believe the Guru is saying is that food is food and it is foolish to argue about what we should eat. How can there be a sin committed when all we are doing is eating to survive. Then how can a sin be committed if the meat is Halal or not. It is in the mind of the individual if it is Halal or not. I choose to see nothing as Halal and I believe Guru Nanak would have also. I believe that if the food that was served to Guru Nanak was Halal, the food that he ate was not. Eating has nothing to do with spiritual attainment and neither is the manner that it is killed.

Later he writes:

“Those who renounce meat, and hold their noses when sitting near it, devour men at night. They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or spiritual wisdom. O Nanak, what can be said to the blind people? They cannot answer, or even understand what is said. They alone are blind, who act blindly. They have no eyes in their hearts. They are produced from the blood of their mothers and fathers, but they do not eat fish or meat.” Guru Nanak page 1289

Here the Guru is saying that vegetarians who look down their noses at people who eat meat are also fools. I remember a conversation I had with a woman from 3HO. I mentioned that someone who we both knew ate meat. Her reply was: 'Then how can he be an Amritdhari Sikh?' This is exactly what Guruji condemns in the above.

When I took Amrit, not eating meat was a part of the vows. I realize now that whether you eat meat or not, should not be a requirement of a group but the choice of the individual.

Transition into Infinity

Interesting post and the appeasement that is done with the Halal ritual is unnecessary for a Sikh. Might I add such appeasement is unnecessary for any other forms of ritual.

Shaheediyan · #3 (**permalink**) 15-Jul-2007, 16:37 PM

Halal means "permissable". The word relates to that which is permissable by Islamic law "sharia".

Halal refers to all facets of life (not just food), that which is not permissable is haram.

So, with regards to halal and haram meat, the following sura's apply:

"Forbidden to you (your food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which the name of other than Allah hath been invoked; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject Faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination of transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful"[Qur'an 5:3] [3]

"Say: I find not in the message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine, for it is an abomination or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah's. But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, thy Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful"[Qur'an 6:145] [5]

Shaheediyan · #4 (**permalink**) 15-Jul-2007, 16:43 PM

"Interesting post and the appeasement that is done with the Halal ritual is unnecessary for a Sikh. Might I add such appeasement is unnecessary for any other forms of ritual."
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=16239
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=16239

Randip Singh Ji, are you aware of the long ritual invloved in the preperation of Mahaprasad, particularly as witnessed at Holla?

Do Sikhs not ardaas over langar and prasad before it is served?

Dimitri · #5 (**permalink**) 15-Jul-2007, 18:37 PM

So the Lord got this whole thing against Pig..wao.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #6 (**permalink**) 15-Jul-2007, 19:20 PM

Guru Nanak Ji Sahib is using the "language" of the Brahmins to convey His message. The words used are MALECHH and ABHAKHIAH ka KUTHA. Now the Brahmins referred to the Muslims as Malecchh (dirty/filthy) due to their doing the inspaekable...killing and devouring cows, breaking stone idols and places where these stones were worshipped..etc. The Brahmins called the language spoken by the malechh muslims as ABHAKHIAH..unspeakable...as opposed to the "Sanskrit" holy language of thewir Vedas and Gods.
In Private these fraudy Brahmins said such things about the Muslims...BUT in PUBLIC..they wore Blue clothes, spoke the Filthy language and ate the filthy "kutha bakras" of the Masters...WHAT A FRAUD ???
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=16239
IN MUSLIM INDIA..no non-muslim was allowed to keep a knife..slaughter meat..ride a horse..keep weapons. All these were reserved for the Masters..and NOT for SLAVES. The Wily Brahmin spoke "double speak"..one thing to the Hindus and another to the Muslim Masters. This DOUBLE SPEAK is exposed by Guru nanak ji in Abhakhiah ka kuttha bakra khanna.( IN PUBLIC to win over the Musims masters ).matt bhitteh ve matt bhitteh ve at home ( to fool the Hindus as to their holinity !!)

SACRIFICE..and "offering THANKS" to God are two different things. The Maya Indians..the Babylonians..the Meccans....the Hindus..almost everyone offered SACRIFICE. In the Bible it was Abraham that was ORDERED by God to sacrifice !!! Hindus scrifice Goats to Kali Goddess !!! In SACRIFICE....BLOOD has to be SHED. It is the BLOOD that the GOD DRINKS and is satisfied..no difference if it is God of the Mayas..or Babylonians..or Meccans..or Kali or Allah...the CONCEPT is the SAME...The SACRIFICE is to APPEASE god..bring down RAIN..end droughts..etc etc etc.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=16239

The Sikh Ardass is just like the GRACE said at the Table..THANKS to the PROVIDER for His MERCY. That is why BHOG LAUNNA is Brahminism and not Gurmatt. Bhog is launna to IDOLS..not to Guru Granth Ji. The ARDASS is thus DONE at each and every Function in a Gurdwara..at every MEAL a Sikh has at home....this itself shows it is different from the SACRIFICE..the Kalmas read over an animal being killed.

Hallal Meat was FORCED UPON all non-Mulsims in those times...This is still done in MUSLIM MAJORITY COUNTRIES...like in MALAYSIA even though there is almost 40% NON MUSLIM population..the ruling Muslim Govt makes it MANDATORY for ALL MEAT and other products to be Hallal ONLY. Non Hallal meats..are ONLY the HAM and PIG Products..NO other Meat can be NonHallal. This si the Sole reason why a SIKH who follows only and only AKAL PURAKH MUST never eat Hallal Meat that is SACRIFICED to a Diety that "needs" such sacrifices.
Gyani Jarnail Singh

kds1980 · #7 (**permalink**) 15-Jul-2007, 20:09 PM

Welcome back gyani ji its good too see you on spn after such a long time.

Randip Singh · #8 (**permalink**) 16-Jul-2007, 20:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaheediyan

"Interesting post and the appeasement that is done with the Halal ritual is unnecessary for a Sikh. Might I add such appeasement is unnecessary for any other forms of ritual."

Randip Singh Ji, are you aware of the long ritual invloved in the preperation of Mahaprasad, particularly as witnessed at Holla?

Do Sikhs not ardaas over langar and prasad before it is served?

Difference being Halal and Kosher are seen as appeasement or sacrifice to God.........what you have mentioned are thanks to God. Ardaas involves a thanking of the bounty of food God has given us (much like Grace).

Halal and Kosher follow the notion of sacrifice (quarbani) to God. Even Hindu's followed such rituals such as Bali and Anustrani etc......but Sikhism se's no such need.

Shaheediyan · #9 (**permalink**) 16-Jul-2007, 22:14 PM

The meat prepared on Eid and at haj to maccah "may" be constitute a sacrifice, but I don't think the day to day meat preperation is seen or treated as a sacrifice, could you kindly provide proof of your assumption.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=16239

Thanks.