Why Halal Certification Is A Necessity In This Day And Age

A true guide on a journey will tell you notonly about your destination, but of the attractions and dangers along the way aswell. In life, our goal is to gain the Pleasure of Allah, and we all requireguides to help us navigate attaining that success and avoid jeopardizing it.

One of the clearest set of guidelines tosuch success is the knowledge of Halal (lawful) and Haram (prohibited).One must understand that this journey of life contains both beautiful attractions, and harmful dangers to avoid.Seekingout qualified teachers, and Halal certification agencies to help illuminate the way in order tonavigate the Halal and Haram in our modern lives is essential for us all.

There is an ancient saying,  “All things are understood by their opposites”  . Without these contrasts, we wouldstruggle to fully appreciate the value of most privileges. The tranquility ofthe night, for example, is not fully appreciated unless we have experienced thebustling rush of the day. Even more convincing is the fact that many of ourblessings, such as good health are only truly appreciated when lost.

Similarly, halal and haram are both clearcontrasts revealed and explained to us through the Divine Wisdom of Allah. Theseclear guidelines that exist, allow us to appreciate the attraction and purityin the halal in contrast to the harm and impurity of the haram.

Among the Prophetic Traditions, our belovedMessenger (peace be upon him) clearly stated that “the Halal is clear and the haram is clear, and in between them there are matters that are doubtful, ofwhich most people are unaware …” -( Bukhari & Muslim)

This is the main purpose of a halal certifying body. To make what most people are unaware of clear and transparent. It is to illuminate the doubtful matters and bring to light the facts. By design, Allah made the contrast betweenHalal and Haram perceivable to humans through revelation and teachings. Extrapolation of his revealed text via qualified scholarship provides clarity to matters that would have otherwise been ambiguous

Extrapolation requires a knowledge base, and expertise, and it is important and necessary, otherwise, we would not be able to please our lord without knowing what he wants from us, how to live our lives, what to stay away from, and what to enjoin in. We can easilyappreciate this perspective, through a few simple examples.

Imagine not knowing what to do to pleasesomeone you loved. A child, for example, may try in vain to please his / herparents by spending lots of money on them, whilst the fact is that all theydesire is some quality time with their child. Similarly, a spouse may praiseand shower his wife with the most beautiful words, whilst what she wouldappreciate most are small acts of service done around the house.

Both child and spouse are walking downroads of inevitable frustration and disappointment, despite exerting everyeffort to please their loved ones.  Ifboth of them were sincere in their efforts to please and were presented withclear guidelines of what to do, or what not do, they would not only welcomesuch guidance but consider it light on a path towards fulfilling their goal.

Without clear guidelines on how to pleasethose we love, we would experience doubt and confusion, which easily leads toerror, frustration and even emotional pain. The greatest loss anddisappointment would, of course, be to discover in the Hereafter that all ourefforts in this world to please our Lord were in vain, due to not being awareof what truly pleases HIM.

The Blessed Prophet (peace be upon him)further advised staying away from the unclear matters, describing the one whoengages in the doubtful, similar to a shepherd who grazes his flock very closeto pastures belonging to others. It would be very easy for his flock to consumefrom a pasture owned by someone else, causing the earnings of the shepherd tobe tainted with what is unlawful for him to consume.

Surely, by dabbling in the grey unclearareas when it comes to Allah, we put His Pleasure and our success in bothworlds at risk. It is, therefore, part of wisdom to seek out and hold firmly tothose who strive to illuminate the road to Pleasing Allah with knowledge ofthese clear boundaries. We pray that Allah is pleased with our efforts as an organization to do this work on his behalf. May Allah give all halal certification agencies the ability to be excellent in this work. Ameen.