A REVIEW OF HALAL FOOD WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MEAT AND ITS TRADE POTENTIAL

Nature has blessed human being with plenty of resources to meet their needs. He has been given options to utilize those resources rightly or wrongly. Food is one of the biggest needs of human life and its selection and processing varies between different regions, religions and cultures. Religion is the most powerful factor influencing the dietary patterns and habits. This study attempts to review the meaning and methods pertaining to Halal food through reference found in different Qur'anic verses, Ahadith and sayings of Imams and Muftis of different opinions. The word Halal has been discussed from different aspects. Verses from different Surahs, like Al-Baqarah have been referred to. The Qur'an commands to take Halal food, before the performance of good deeds as it provides energy to both body and soul. Liquid and solid food items, such as water, vegetables and fruits have been described halal. All these items are originally lawful, unless contaminated with impurity. The halal meat from cattle has been mentioned with interpretation of the cattle. The meat has been chosen especially without vegetables, fruits, and other food items, because the Muslims and Jews are more cautious about meat and slaughtering procedures. Types of animals have been categorized as some are Land Animals like camel, cow, buffalo and rabbit. Some of the birds are discussed like chickens, ducks, sparrows, ostriches, pigeons and quail and all of them are Halal. Some are doubtful birds like the crow and parrot are described. Out of marine animals some are halal such as fish and some are doubtful like prawn, starfish, crabs, oysters, dogfish and shark as decreed by certain Imams. Slaughtering has been mentioned as an essential requirement of Halal meat from land animals. The slaughtering process should be according to Islamic principles; cutting of blood vessels properly and mentioning Allah Almighty's name while slaughtering. Halal food generates great demand in the world particularly in the Muslim countries. Currently, international market of halal food runs into US$580 billion annually. Pakistan needs to exploit this opportunity to develop livestock sector and earn foreign exchange.