Legislative Guidance on Foods Provisions: AnExplanatory and Objective Study

Abstract

 This research aims to shed some light on the most crucial
Sharia law relating to the consumption of Halāl food based
on selected verses from Sūrat Al-Mā’idah in order to create
awareness among the Muslims regarding the provisions of
foods that are permissible and forbidden. However, it is
noted that some Muslims who are less devoted to their
religious values do not bother eating in such foreign food
chains or restaurants and never questioned whether the
food served is Halāl or Harām. Such a behavior clearly contradicts
the Quranic guidance in making sure of the status
of Halāl on the food served. The discussion is also expected
to benefit the international and domestic food companies
with a greater concern on Sharia teachings on food handling
from production to marketing and from preparation to serving. This research uses inductive method in tracing the
verses of Qur’ān that indicate provisions of foods in Sūrat
Al-Mā’idah and their explanations (exegesis) based on the
authentic books of Tafsir and Prophetic Tradition (Sunnah).
Subsequently an analytic deductive approach is used to
conclude the most important Sharia guidance related to
the consumption of food. The author has discovered fourteen
important findings of Sharia guidance related to the
consumption of food and divided into general and special
instructions, and has discussed them in this paper. Finally,
the study recommended activating these legislative guidelines
in Muslims daily life, and circulating them to the Halāl
centers and their international laboratories which promote
the standards of Halāl food. Especially that food is indispensable
for humans and lots of money is spent on it.