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Halal & Healthy

Is Kosher Halal

Often times Muslim consumers tend to assume 'Kosher' is similar to 'Halal'. Although the slaughtering rituals of Jewish people resemble those of Muslims; kosher and halal are two different entities carrying a different meaning and spirit. Muslims, therefore, are provided with the following basic information about Kosher so they can exercise care in distinguishing halal from kosher.

Kashrut (in Hebrew) is the system of Jewish dietary laws. Kosher (kashur in Hebrew) means 'fit, or proper for use' according to Jewish law. Examples of kosher are: the meat of the 'fore quarter*' of the cattle slaughtered ritually, fruits, vegetables, all fish that have fins*, Kosher wines*, Kosher cheeses*, Kosher gelatin*.

The opposite of Kosher, as applied to food in Treif (in Yiddish), or trefah (in Hebrew) meaning 'not suitable for use', or 'forbidden'. Trefah literally means 'torn by a wild beast' (Exodus 22:30). Examples of Trefah are: blood, swine, rabbit*, all shell fish*, wild birds such as wild hen*, wild duck*, and the birds of prey.

(*) These food items exhibit a marked difference between kosher and Halal as well as trefah and haram. The differences are explained elsewhere in this section.

Caution to Muslim Consumers:

Halal is a comprehensive Islamic term encompassing not only the matters of food and drink, but all other matters of daily life. Islam being the final and perfect way of life for humanity, it supersedes all the previously revealed religions including Christianity and Judaism. The rituals in all matters were perfected by God (al-Quran 5:3)

According to Islamic Jurisprudence, no one except God can change forbidden (Haram) things into lawful (halal) for vice-versa. It is forbidden for people to change the lawful (Halal) things into unlawful (Haram), or vice-versa.

Halal is a unique Islamic concept and eating zabiha (Islamically slaughtered) meat is a distinguishing part of a Muslim's identity as expressed by Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

Salient differences between kosher and halal are:

Islam prohibits all intoxicating alcohols, liquors, wines and drugs. kashrut regards their wines kosher. Hence food items and drinks showing the kosher symbol containing alcohol are not halal.

Gelatin is considered Kosher by many Jews regardless of its source of origin. If the gelatin is prepared from non-zabiha, Muslims consider it haram (prohibited). Hence foods items such as marshmallows, yogurt, etc., showing kosher symbols are not always halal.

Enzymes (irrespective of their sources even from non-kosher animals) in cheese making are considered mere secretion (pirsah b'almah) according to some kashrut organizations, hence all cheeses are considered kosher by many Jews. Muslims look for the source of the enzyme in cheese making. If it is coming from the swine, it is considered haram(forbidden). Hence cheeses showing kosher symbols may not be halal.

Jews do not pronounce the name of God on each animal while slaughtering. They feel that uttering the name of God, out of context, is wasteful. Muslims on the other hand pronounce the name of Allah on all animals while slaughtering.

The salient differences between kosher and halal have been illustrated so that Muslim consumers can distinguish halal from kosher.

Muslims in non-Muslim countries should strive to follow the Islamic injunctions in their diet (as well as in every walk of life) and establish their own businesses and institutions to cater to the needs of the Muslim Ummah. By doing so, not only the identity of the Muslims will be preserved, but they will be recognized and respected for their beliefs and practices.

Differences within Kosher:

There are different sects within Judaism and there are several hundred Jewish Kosher authorities in the US who certify Kosher based on extremely liberal to extremely conservative rules. Therefore it is difficult to come up with one uniform opinion regarding Kosher practices. A symbols "k" for kosher is not governed by any authority. Any manufacturer can use it at will. A website guiding Jews about Kosher states "it may take a great deal of detective work to ascertain the standard that a particular rabbi is using." For this reason many Muslims when buying anything kosher look for "u" in a circle which are more conservative Kosher symbol.

Based on the book, Islamic Dietary Concepts And Practices by M.M. Hussaini

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Shagufta Zahid, Naugatuck Ct - wrote on 2/8/2010 8:11:26 PM
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Comment: Thank you so much for this Article........Though we are very careful about Halal and Haram,But This is very common that Muslim use Kosher things,assuming them Halal.Now I can at lest tell my friends as well as Non-Muslims the difference between Halal and Kosher.Jasieakh Allaha

Shagufta Zahid, Naugatuck Ct - wrote on 2/8/2010 8:10:42 PM
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Comment: Thank you so much for this Article........Though we are very careful about Halal and Haram,But This is very common that Muslim use Kosher things,assuming them Halal.Now I can at lest tell my friends as well as Non-Muslims the difference between Halal and Kosher.Jasieakh Allaha

Shagufta Zahid, Naugatuck Ct - wrote on 2/8/2010 8:07:19 PM
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Comment: Thank you so much for this Article........Though we are very careful about Halal and Haram,But This is very common that Muslim use Kosher things,assuming them Halal.Now I can at lest tell my friends as well as Non-Muslims the difference between Halal and Kosher.Jasieakh Allaha

Towfique, Sydney - wrote on 2/2/2010 11:09:42 AM
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Comment: I’ve been living in Sydney as a student from last couple of years and working in a big supermarket as a sales assistant. Alhamdulillah, in Sydney we Muslim people get Halal meats from different boucher shops. As my working experience with that supermarket I learned about kosher food. This is because in our store we have kosher section and buyer is Jews customers. One of the Turkish guy informed me Kosher is Halal so Muslim people can have those food, that’s bring me searching on this web site and Alhamdulillah I got real good idea about kosher foods from your writing. And it is really interesting that wine(any alcohol ) is not halal for Muslim whereas kosher keep it on the list. This point makes me clear it can’t be Halal for Muslim as foods concept. In addition to, also Halal is a greater sense of leading a good life with other daily activities. I really appreciate your writing, it clears my understanding.

Ayanna, Washington - wrote on 1/6/2010 2:03:16 PM
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Comment: I visited your site because I wanted to understand the similarities between Halal and Kosher cheese. I was disappointed with your presentation of what is considered Kosher. I was raised Muslim, but subsequently converted to Orthodox Judaism as an adult. Your explanations about what foods are Kosher is incorrect. It is true that "Kashrut (in Hebrew) is the system of Jewish dietary laws. Kosher (kashur in Hebrew) means 'fit, or proper for use' according to Jewish law. Examples of kosher are: the meat of the 'fore quarter*' of the cattle slaughtered ritually, fruits, vegetables, all fish that have fins." * Not all wines are Kosher, only wines which have been boiled and prepared only by Jews and which are marked with a Hechsher are Kosher. * Not all cheeses are Kosher, they too have to be supervised during the processing and cannot use any Animal Rennet. Very few cheeses are Kosher. * Gelatin from a "PIG or SWINE" whatever you want to call that filthy creature, is NEVER, NEVER eaten by an observant Jew as with an observant Muslim. You do a disservice to the community to make such an assertion. There are more similarities than differences between Muslims and Jews, and I would hope that you could use this valuable resource to accurately portray this. I would like to conclude by saying, that I liked the summation of this post. There is a website that is devoted to what symbols are acceptable, but you are correct that these vary according to the religious stream. As an Orthodox Jew, I agree that you cannot go wrong with "OU" which is as you stated is a "U" inside an "O". Thank you and be well, Ayanna www.ayannanahmias.com

brenda lee, satsuma - wrote on 12/6/2009 4:21:02 PM
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Comment: Thank you so much for this article. I am about to marry a muslim man and very much want to please him. He will have to teach me so much more, I am sure. I didn't know there was a differnce between kosher and halal. Will be difficult in the US to find these foods but we will.

, - wrote on 12/5/2009 12:56:41 AM
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Comment: eating the right foods have everything to do with the relationship you have with God because your body is the temple of God and he lives in there. If you have been eating swine all your life then the whole chemistry of your body is built from swine protein and your body starts to think you are the swine,.....but its not,...your body is the temple of God and should be made hospitable !!!

mo, ny, ny - wrote on 11/20/2009 9:40:08 AM
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Comment: Marshmallos and gelatine can made of anything. I've had seaweed gelatine. It's hard to find good kosher cheese because of the enzyme issue...so i believe you enzyme comment is incorrect. Furthermore, jews do say a bracha or prayer before they slaughter. I have some muslim friends that do eat kosher and other get very mad at them!

STACY, PITTSBURGH - wrote on 11/18/2009 8:47:24 PM
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Comment: GELATIN IS A PORK PRODUCT, SO ARE MARSHMALLOWS

, - wrote on 11/8/2009 9:31:50 AM
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Comment: I fail or drink completely to understand how the eating or not eating of any kind of food can be a contribution to a fair relationship to a God. I consider that a human and respectful behaviour between human beings is more important than frankly silly food prescriptions. People who refuse to eat what I serve them with care and friendship are not welcome to my home. Let them stay in their narrow-minded dwellings.

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