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.
