يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَلَـٰلًۭا طَيِّبًۭا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌ - Surah Al-Baqarah [2:168]
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَلَـٰلًۭا طَيِّبًۭا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌ - Surah Al-Baqarah [2:168]
Glossary
ALLAH
The proper name of GOD, The Creator. ALLAH is a single being with no partners.

Ahlul Kitab
A term from the Quran. It refers to the People who received Divine Scriptures and is a reference to the Christians and the Jews.

Antioxidant
Compounds that delay or prevent oxidation of foods. Examples are BHA, BHT and citric acid.

BHA
Butylated Hydroxy Anisole. It is an antioxidant. BHA is Halal.

BHT
Butylated Hydroxy Toluene. It is an antioxidant. BHT is Halal.

Carrageenan
An extract from Irish Moss, which forms a gel in food systems. It is used as a food ingredient. Carrageenan is Halal.

Casein
The major protein in milk. It is used in the manufacture of most cheeses. It may be Halal or haram, depending upon the enzyme used to produce it.

Chocolate Liquor
A semi-viscous sweet syrup containing chocolate, sugar and other ingredients. It is used in making candy, drinks and other chocolate flavored foods. Chocolate liquor is not alcoholic and is Halal, unless haram ingredients are added to it.

Clarifying Agents
A group of chemical compounds used in liquid foods to remove cloudiness due to suspended matter.

Cream of Tartar
A white crystalline chemical called potassium bitartarate.

Cultures
Several bacteria and other microbes used singly or in combination to bring about fermentation in several foods. They are used in the manufacture of fermented milks, cheeses and fermented meat products.

Diglycerides
Fatty substances containing glycerol and two fatty acids. Diglycerides can be made from animal or vegetable fats and they are used as an emulsifier in food products. If made from Halal animals slaughtered in the Islamic way or from plant sources, they are Halal. Otherwise they are haram. Currently, it is best to look for products using only 100% vegetable diglycerides.

Emulsifiers
A chemical substance that keeps fats (or oils) dispersed in water or water droplets dispersed in fats (or oils). Emulsifiers are used in foods containing both fats (or oils) and water. Examples of emulsifiers are lecithin and mono and diglycerides. Emulsifiers can be made from animal or vegetable sources. If made from Halal animals slaughtered in the Islamic way or from plant sources, they are Halal. Otherwise they are haram.

Enzymes
Protein substances found and formed in all living cells. They bring about chemical reactions inside and outside the body, without being consumed themselves. They are extracted from animals or microorganisms and are utilized in the food industry to manufacture cheese and other products. If made from Halal animals slaughtered in the Islamic way, from plant sources or from microorganisms, they are Halal. Otherwise they are haram. Currently, it is best to look for microbial enzymes.

Gelatin
A derived protein of animal origin. It is made from the skins, bones and connective tissues and used in desserts and as an additive in a variety of food products. If made from Halal animals slaughtered in the Islamic way, it is Halal. Otherwise it is haram. Unless a product containing gelatin is certified Halal or says Halal gelatin, it is most likely haram and should be avoided.

GMO
Genetically Modified Organism

GMP
Good Manufacturing Practice

Halal
An Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. Halal certification indicates a product is lawful or permitted.

Haram
An Arabic word meaning unlawful or prohibited.

Lard
A saturated fat derived from pork. It is used in frying oils and bakery products. Lard is haram and any products containing lard are haram.

Lecithin

An emulsifier comprised of glycerol, two fatty acids, phosphoric acid and choline. It is extracted from egg yolks, soybeans or animal fats. If made from Halal animals slaughtered in the Islamic way, from plant sources or egg yolks, it is Halal. Otherwise it is haram. It is best to stick to products that are Halal certified or contain vegetable lecithin or soya lecithin.

Mashbooh

An Arabic word meaning suspect or questionable. Mashbooh items can be produced from Halal or Haram sources. When the specific source is not known, the items are suspect or questionable.

Monoglycerides

Fatty substances containing glycerol and one fatty acid. Monoglycerides can be made from animal or vegetable fats and are used as emulsifiers in food products. If made from Halal animals slaughtered in the Islamic way or from plant sources, they are Halal. Otherwise they are haram. Currently, it is best to look for products using only 100% vegetable diglycerides.

Pepsin

An enzyme extracted from animal stomachs, especially pig stomachs, and used in the production of cheese. Pepsin is haram.

Quran

The Divine revelation to the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him. The Quran was revealed through he Archangel Jibril, may peace be upon him, and is the direct words of ALLAH. It was memorized by the Prophet and his followers and continues to be memorized by thousands of Muslims. The Quran is the source of wisdom and law for Muslims.

Rennet

An enzyme extracted from the 4th stomach of calves and used in the production of cheese. If the calves are slaughtered in the Islamic way, it is Halal. Otherwise it should be avoided. Microbial rennet is Halal.

Shortening

A blend of fats and/or oils used in baked products. If made from Halal animals slaughtered in the Islamic way or from plant sources, it is Halal. Otherwise it is haram. Currently, it is best to look for products using only vegetable shortening.

Stearic Acid

A long chain fatty acid found abundantly in most saturated fats. It can also be synthesized. It is used to make functional chemicals and metallic stearates (sodium stearate, potassium stearate, etc.) for a variety of food applications. If made from Halal animals slaughtered in the Islamic way or from plant sources, it is Halal. Otherwise it is haram. Currently, it is best to look for products using only vegetable stearates.

Tallow

A white solid fat obtained from cattle, sheep or goats and used in making shortenings and frying oils. If made from animals slaughtered in the Islamic way, it is Halal. Otherwise it is haram. Currently, it is best to avoid edible products containing tallow unless they are Halal certified.

Whey
The watery part of milk that separates from the curd during cheese making. It is used as an ingredient in many products. If the enzyme used to produce the whey and cheese is Halal, the whey is Halal. Otherwise it is not. It is best to avoid products containing whey unless they are Halal certified.
 
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