What Does Halal Mean?

Halal (Arabic: حلال) is pronounced ha-LAAL, with a breathy “h” and a long second “a”.

Meaning

Halal means permitted or lawful. Its opposite is haram, forbidden. Islamic scholars teach a simple and generous principle: by default, the good things of life are permitted unless God has clearly forbidden them. So the list of halal things is vast, and the list of forbidden things is relatively short. The Qur’an addresses all people with this invitation:

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَلَٰلًۭا طَيِّبًۭا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌ ﴿١٦٨﴾

O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

Note the pairing: lawful and good. Halal is not only about rules; it is also about what is wholesome.

How Muslims use it

People most often hear halal in connection with food. Halal food excludes pork and alcohol, and halal meat comes from a permitted animal slaughtered in God’s name, quickly and with care for the animal. But Muslims also speak of halal income (money earned honestly), halal business deals and halal relationships. Something halal earned or enjoyed with a good intention can even become an act of worship.

Example

“Is there a halal restaurant near the office?”

For the opposite term, see Haram, and for money and work, read Wealth and Money in Islam.