Halal Certification: Meaning, Objectives & Controversies - UPSC Editorials

In recent times, a big debate has started in India about whether products that are "halal certified" should be allowed in the market. The Supreme Court of India is looking into the matter because the state of Uttar Pradesh has banned halal-certified products. Halal certification is a process that makes sure products, especially food, meet the standards of Islamic law. However, it isn’t just about food; products like cement, flour, and even water bottles have been getting halal certifications. This has led to questions about whether these certifications are necessary for all products, or if it’s being overused.

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What Does ‘Halal’ Mean?

The word “halal” means something that is allowed according to Islamic rules. It is mostly used for food, especially meat. For example, animals must be slaughtered in a special way to be considered halal. But halal is not just for food. It can also apply to other things, like cosmetics, medicine, or even cleaning products, to make sure they don’t have any forbidden ingredients, such as alcohol or animal parts that Muslims are not allowed to use.

So, halal means not just "acceptable to eat," but it can also apply to other products that Muslims use in their daily lives.

Can Non-Meat Products Be Halal?

Yes, non-meat products can also be halal. This includes things like shampoo, soap, medicines, and even items like toothpaste. These products need to be certified halal if they don’t contain anything that is not allowed in Islam. For example, if a shampoo contains alcohol, it would not be halal. This is why halal certification has become important not just for food but also for many other products people use every day.

Interestingly, some products that you wouldn’t expect to be halal-certified, like cement, iron bars, and even wheat flour, are getting halal certifications too. This has caused some confusion and even anger. Some people believe that halal certification should only apply to food and not to things like construction materials.

Read the article on the Consumer Protection Act 2019!

What is Halal Certification?

Halal certification is a process where experts check whether a product meets the rules of Islamic law. In India, many organizations give halal certificates to products. For example, before a food item can be sold as halal, the certifying body checks to make sure it follows the correct slaughtering process for meat or that it doesn’t contain any forbidden ingredients. Similarly, for things like cosmetics or medicines, they check that there are no harmful or forbidden ingredients.

The certification process helps Muslims know which products are safe for them to use. Many Muslims prefer buying halal-certified products because it makes sure they are following their religious beliefs.

Who Issues Halal Certificates?

Halal certificates are given by special organizations that check products for halal standards. These organizations are trusted to make sure products follow Islamic law. Some well-known halal certification bodies in India include the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

These organizations play an important role because they help people know which products are halal and which are not. This gives Muslims the confidence to buy products that meet their religious needs. But, as the debate continues, some people are asking whether all products need to be halal-certified.

Read the article on the Consumer Protection Act 1986!

Why Do We Need Halal Certification?

The need for halal certification comes from the fact that many Muslims want to be sure that the products they buy follow the rules of Islam. Just like people in other religions may want products that follow their beliefs, Muslims want to be sure the food, cosmetics, medicines, and other products they use are halal. It helps them stay true to their faith.

Halal certification also helps businesses. Companies that want to sell products in Muslim-majority countries need halal certification to meet the standards there. Without halal certification, it would be hard for companies to sell to customers in countries like Saudi Arabia or Indonesia.

Economic Implications of Halal Certification

Halal certification is not only important for religious reasons but also has a big impact on the economy. In India, there are millions of Muslims, and many businesses want to sell products to them. So, companies are willing to get their products halal-certified. This creates a big market for halal products, and the halal certification industry itself is also growing.

The certification process is not free. Companies pay money to get their products certified, and they may need to change their production methods to meet halal standards. But even with these costs, getting halal certification can help companies reach more customers and make more money. It also helps build trust with customers, because they know the products they are buying are safe and meet their religious requirements.

Read the article on Balancing Religious Traditions and Human Dignity!

Controversy Around Halal-Certified Products

The halal certification process is not without controversy. Some people argue that it is being taken too far. For example, the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, recently told the Supreme Court that even products like cement, iron bars, and wheat flour were being halal-certified. He questioned whether these products should be halal-certified because they are not food.

Other people believe that halal certification is being used for commercial purposes, and that it is unnecessarily raising the prices of products. For example, if a product is halal-certified, it might be more expensive because the company has to pay for the certification process. Some people argue that non-Muslim customers are being forced to pay higher prices for products that are halal-certified even if they don’t need them to be.

Despite these arguments, there are many people who believe halal certification is important for Muslims. They argue that it is a matter of religious freedom and consumer rights. Muslims have the right to choose what they eat and use, and they should be able to buy products that align with their beliefs.

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The UP Government's Ban on Halal-Certified Products

With the ban on halal-certified products in Uttar Pradesh, the controversy has gained further spirals. The state government has stopped the sale of halal-certified products in the state, following which legal battles erupted. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust has appealed to the Supreme Court against the ban, citing that it violates the rights of Muslim consumers.

The Trust argues that halal certification is not just about food, but about the freedom of Muslims to choose products that fit with their religious beliefs. The Trust also points out that other certifications, like kosher (which is similar to halal but for Jewish dietary laws), are allowed in the market.

The outcome of this legal case will be important because it could decide whether or not other states in India will follow Uttar Pradesh’s lead and ban halal-certified products. It will also have an impact on businesses that rely on halal certification to sell their products, both in India and abroad.

Read the article on Religious Conversion in India!

Hope all your questions about the topic have been answered by reading the editorial. Prepare well for UPSC IAS exams by downloading the Testbook App here!

UPSC Previous Year Question

How is the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (2016)

UPSC Mains Practice Questions

To what extent can religious beliefs influence consumer rights in a secular state like India? Analyze in the context of the ongoing case regarding the halal certification ban in Uttar Pradesh.