RE: Why is halal legal?
July 9, 2011 at 5:11 pm
(This post was last modified: July 9, 2011 at 5:37 pm by Rayaan.)
(July 8, 2011 at 6:37 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: IMO @ the time, the Quran was promoting the most humane/ ethical/ hygenic way to slaugther animals. It's of it's time. Today we have proven better ways of doing it, but Islam demands the precise method as written back then because it has become the act rather than the meaning for the act that has become important. People do this all the time: elevate traditional practices to an illogical status.
If humane slaughter was the ultimate aim, as I think it clearly was when Allah dictated it, then we'd be continuing that ideal rather than mindlessly following the exact same process of a scientifically more primitive culture.
If there's an ethical reason to cause less sufferring, as I think the Quran suggests, then it would be following Allahs will more closely to kill an animal more humanely.
I agree with you, fr0d0, that if there's a more humane and hygienic way of slaughtering animals, and it does not contradict the instructions in the Quran or Hadiths, then that should be the preferable way to do it. So I'll give you credit for that. There is indeed a difference among Muslims in regard to the matter of stunning animals before the slaughtering. Some think it is okay, while others think it is not okay. My personal opinion is that stunning is permissible (but I'm not 100% sure about that). For example, here's a viewpoint from a Muslim:
Halal Standard Slaughtering Doesn't Need Animals Awake
(July 8, 2011 at 6:37 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: Mentioning Allahs name is also ritual rather than an act of love. Love can't be forced.
I just had a little bit of an issue with this part of your comment, because whether or not a Muslim does this as an act of love, the mentioning of Allah's name during the sacrifice is commanded in the Quran, as it says, "To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice) that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food)" (22:34). This is in relation to the role animals played in Muslim practice, in that they are commanded to give thanks to Allah and praise Allah for the sustenance He has given them and that they should sacrifice something of value to themselves (to demonstrate their appreciation for what they have been given). It is a symbol of thanksgiving to Allah by sharing the meat with fellow humans and the poorer members of the community.
Also, how is this different from saying Jesus's name in prayers (and before doing so many other things)? How do you know if the love is 'forced' or not?
The point is that, like I said earlier, the movement of a believer's tongue is connected to his faith. So, the Muslim is saying that as a way of giving thanks to Allah. He can even mention Allah's name silently (in his mind). If his faith is not present, then yes, mentioning Allah's name is meaningless, as the Quran says, "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him" (22:37).
