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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

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on selling gold or silver in installments or for a differed price?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is prohibited (haram) to sell gold or silver in installments or for a deferred price; rather, immediate hand-to-hand exchange (Taqabud) is mandatory, otherwise, it is considered usury (Riba). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, and salt for salt—like for like, hand to hand. Whoever increases or asks for an increase has engaged in Riba; the receiver and the giver are the same in this regard.' (Narrated by Muslim). Furthermore, when exchanging new gold for used gold, they must be of equal weight, or it falls into Riba.
 
The permissible solution (al-makhraj) is for the merchant to purchase the used gold for cash first, and then sell the new gold for cash in a separate transaction. However, the price must be paid during the sitting of the contract (Majlis al-Aqd) for both deals. Alternatively, the jeweler may take the used gold with the intent of remodeling or repairing it, and then charge a fee for the craftsmanship or repair work. And Allah the Exalted knows best."

What is the ruling on someone who dies while having missed fasts?

● If a person dies before having the opportunity to make up the missed fasts—such as someone whose excuse (e.g., illness) persisted until their death—then no makeup fast (qada), fidyah, or sin applies to them.
● However, if they had the ability to make up the fasts but did not do so before passing away, the missed fasts must be compensated by giving a mudd of food for each missed day from their estate.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever dies while having a month’s fast due, one needy person should be fed per day on their behalf." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
Additionally, a guardian (wali) may fast on their behalf, as the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever dies while having missed fasts, their guardian should fast on their behalf." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In another narration: "If they wish." This indicates that both feeding the needy and fasting on behalf of the deceased are permissible options.

What is the virtue of performing ‘Umrah in Ramadan?

Ibn ‘Abbas narrated: "When the Prophet ﷺ returned from his Hajj, he said to Umm Sinan Al-Ansariyyah: ‘What prevented you from performing Hajj?’ She replied: ‘Abu So-and-so (referring to her husband) had two camels—he performed Hajj on one of them, and the other was used to irrigate our land.’ The Prophet ﷺ then said: ‘Performing ‘Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj with me.’" [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet ﷺ also said: "An ‘Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to a Hajj." [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]
For those who miss the opportunity to perform ‘Umrah in Ramadan, there are many other ways to earn great rewards. One of them is praying Fajr in congregation, then remaining in the mosque remembering Allah until sunrise, and praying two rak‘ahs.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, and then prays two rak‘ahs, will receive the reward of a complete Hajj and ‘Umrah—complete, complete, complete." [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]

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.

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