The Choice of Healthy Meat

How healthy meat is that we consume, has been a topic of debate for a long and still people are debating on which method of killing is the best. In our markets, we find two types of meat according to the way of killing animals:

1. Stunning Method. The method of stunning is by one of the following forms:

• Use of a captive bolt pistol which delivers a force into the head of the animal to make it unconscious and then be killed. 
• Use of a penetrating free-bullet gun or firearm. Compression stunners with or without penetrating heads are also employed in immobilizing livestock and then killing the animal.
• Knocking or striking a hammer is wielded on the head of the animal, the hammer can be used to stun small ruminants by a quick blow at the back of the neck.
• Stunning by electricity is used widely on small animals. The simplest mechanism consists of electrodes or probes built in the form of tongs with insulated handles and applied between the ear and eye of the animal. The level of voltage normally used for sheep and goats is between 60 and 70 volts/AC 50–60 cycles.
• Chemical stunning is a term applied to using carbon dioxide to make animals immobile and then killed.

The stunning method of killing has much criticism because it sometimes seems crude to animals and, in some slaughterhouses, animals seem to suffer from some of the stunning methods used as do not cause the death of animals. The next process of exsanguination that killing the animals. 

Most slaughtering houses that are operated by Christians around the globe use one or more stunning methods. The process is not religious, was initially developed in Germany and France during the 1920s on cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and chickens, then later adopted by all Christian countries. 

Stunning aims to bring the animal to a state of insensibility and unconsciousness that while the heart and other organs are still functioning. Some methods of stunning result in violent reactions by the animals after they have been rendered insensible. 

Following stunning, the animals are exsanguinated (cut for blood release), which is responsible for the animal’s death. Exsanguination should occur rapidly after stunning to prevent a defect known as blood splash in the meat. A small delay in the exsanguination process can cause blood to clot and remain in the meat, and thus reduce the quality of meat.

2. Ritualistic or religious slaughter. This way requires the animal to be in a state of full consciousness at the time of slaughtering and it is bled. This is characteristic of Islamic Halal slaughters, which involve cuts to the animal’s trachea, esophagus, and jugular veins. Islamic dietary laws are laws that Muslims follow in their diet. Islamic jurisprudence specifies exactly which foods are “Halal” (lawful and permitted) and which are “Haram” (unlawful and not permitted). The Islamic dietary laws are found in the Holy Qur’an as well as in Hadith attributed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. Halal animals are herbivores and birds (not including birds of prey) only if they are treated like sentient beings and slaughtered painlessly while reciting and glorifying the name of Allah. If the animal is treated poorly or tortured while being slaughtered the meat is Haram and not lawful to consume.

There is an argument that eating meat using Islamic halal slaughtering is healthier than conventional stunning killing methods. In this short communication, we will list the benefits of Islamic Halal Slaughtering as seen by Muslims.

1. Consuming Halal meat is seen as an act of obedience to God’s commandments. It is not just a set of dietary rules but part of the broader religious fabric, reinforcing a sense of devotion among Muslims, “..And why should you not eat of that meat on which Allah’s Name has been mentioned at the time of slaughtering the anima; while He has explained to you in details what is lawful and what is forbidden to you” (The Holy Qur’an 6: 119) .
2. Direct connection to God. Islamic Halal slaughtering must be done with the intention of Allah as He is the Creator and Blessed humans with animals and made it lawful to eat. During slaughtering one must recite and glorify the name of Allah by saying “Bismillahi, Allahu Akbar”, meaning “In the name of Allah, the Greatest”. Without mentioning the name of Allah, the animal is not lawful to eat. Allah said: “And mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle at the time of slaughtering, that He has created them and made lawful for your sacrifice, then eat thereof and feed the distressed ones in need” (The Holy Qur’an 22: 28).
3. Reduce the pain and suffering of the animal. Animal welfare is a crucial principle of Halal food production, and the humane treatment of animals is one of its core foundations. Islamic Halal food production requires slaughtering animals in a specific manner. The method ensures swift cuts to the animal’s trachea, esophagus, and jugular veins using a sharp knife. This process cuts off quickly the connection between the brain and the body, which kills pain and suffering in less than 2 seconds. While using stunning methods, the animal feels pain for a much longer time as the brain takes a long time to die and is still in connection with the body; some methods of stunning result in violent reactions by the animals after they have been rendered insensible and sometimes come back to life with so much suffering because stunning is just bringing the animals into unconsciousness but not killing the animal, the heart is still functioning. Several studies confirm that treating animals well and keeping them stress-free before slaughtering results in meat of higher quality with lower levels of stress hormones that affect human health.  Consuming meat from animals slaughtered calmly and humanely using the Islamic way can positively impact the body's hormonal balance and increase the quality of meat.
4. Halal meat requires that animals to be slaughtered must be healthy; ill or injured animals are not allowed to be eaten according to Islamic rules. This is reducing the chance of transmitting infectious diseases as it is well known that illness or injuries increase pathogens in animals and the chance of disease outbreaks in humans consuming meat is higher. 
5. Reduce blood retention. One of the key principles of Halal slaughter is the swift and thorough draining of blood from the animal’s body. This process can potentially reduce blood-related contaminants, promoting healthier meat. A recent study compared the blood content in halal and non-halal slaughtered animals. It concluded that halal slaughter resulted in significantly lower blood retention in the meat, which could contribute to reduced bacterial growth and a cleaner meat product. 
6. Removing blood from the meat not only complies with Islamic principles but also has health benefits. Blood is a common carrier of harmful toxins and bacteria, and its removal reduces the risk of contamination and ensures the purity of the meat.
7. Under Islamic law, animals should be raised naturally without suffering. Giving growth hormones and steroids is causing too much suffering for animals. Many international bodies that provide Halal Certificates are putting conditions that animals be raised naturally and strictly prohibiting the use of excessive hormones. This practice increases the quality of meat and could lead to a more favorable fatty acid composition in halal meat, including higher levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of saturated fats. Research published in the “Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology” (2016) investigated the fatty acid profiles of Halal and conventional meat; the study found that it had a more desirable omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio, which is associated with reduced cardiovascular risks.

Muslims are considering that the health benefits of Halal eating extend beyond religious grounds. Halal food consumption provides a safer option and minimizes the potential for food contamination and the associated health risks. By adhering to Halal dietary guidelines, individuals can make conscious choices that promote their well-being while fostering a sense of responsibility towards animals, the environment, and the community at large. Halal food offers a holistic approach to nutrition and health, providing safer, balanced, and ethical food choices.

Sea animals that do not breathe air are considered Halal under Islamic dietary law without slaughtering. The blood of fish is different from that of land animals in several features including having nucleated red blood cells and thrombocytes rather than platelets. This feature and others make fish much safer and less likely to accumulate pathogens in their blood. Fish meat can be sterilized by just cooking and can be safe to eat. Furthermore, fish, when removed from water undergoes an asphyxiation process, in which the lungs stop functioning and the brain quickly stops sending signals to the body thus reducing pain faster. Therefore, under Islamic Halal law, eating fish without slaughtering is permissible and Halal. 

Similar procedures are used for slaughtering animals for Kosher diets, with minor differences in details. 

Modern science has confirmed the benefits of consuming meat and fish as Islamic Halal law prescribes. What astonishing sets of regulations come from God that benefit human health? 

My question is, are we allowed to change the ways of life that are commanded by our Creator? Allah said in the Qur’an, “For every nation Allah has appointed Messengers and guided people about their religious ceremonies; and Allah appointed rites of sacrifice and ordered to mention His Name over the sacrifice at the time of slaughtering; For your God is Allah and He is One, submit to Him and worship Him only, and give good tidings to those who are humble themselves before Allah” (The Holy Qur’an 22: 34).

Now, what is your choice of selection of meat? Do you prefer the conventional stunning and exsanguination method, or do you prefer the Islamic Halal slaughtering method?

I Rest My Case..!

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References:

The Holy Qur’an.

Halal Foods and Meat; University of Kula Lumpur (2013), Malysia

Mechanical, Electrical, and Anesthetic Stunning Methods of Livestock; International Journal for Study Animal Problems (1998), USA.

A Review of Different Stunning Methods for Poultry – Animal Welfare Aspects (Stunning Methods for Poultry); Animals (2015), U.K.

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