The Semantic-Historical Evolution of "Halal"

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Seminary professor and member of the faculty of National Halal Research Center.

2 Department of Drug and Food Control, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The correct and accurate understanding of any meaning or concept in its first step requires the decoding of a vocabulary that has the task of transferring that meaning to others. The lack of proper understanding of the vocabulary of a science leads to an incorrect interpretation of it, and the exact recognition of that vocabulary has a significant contribution to the precise and complete understanding of the problems of that science. In this research, the semantic-historical evolution of the term "Halal" has been studied in various religions and sects and discussed etymologically; the history of Halal and Haram from Adam's creation and in the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Abrahamic religions have been discussed. In addition, by giving a detailed and precise picture of this term as well as the expression of its history, it has provided a way for researchers in this vast field. The word "Halal" literally means opening, relief and comfort. In terms of jurisprudence, "Halal" is a Ruling of Situation (al-hukm al-wazie) not a Ruling of General (al-hukm al-taklifi). Other words in the religious literature and today's usages have been used in the same sense; for example, the words pure (Tayyib), green, Islamic, healthy, clean, pleasant and pleasing, but the most comprehensive and most common is the word "Halal." From the Islamic viewpoint, Halal is not just an order that should be obeyed, but also entails the benefit, pleasure, and calm of the generations of humanity in various aspects such as physical, mental, and psychological aspects. Furthermore, the use of the halal products brings health and happiness together. This paper is a fundamental research using a descriptive-analytical method in a library way.

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