"Halal" - A Catalyst for Refining Culture

Many people complain about the "restrictions" that Islam applies to liberties in areas such as accepted male-female interaction, forms in art, literature,  media, entertainment, jokes, work, finances, food, and dress.  Muslims have a special word to describe the permissible forms of such activities. They call them halal (permissible) as opposed to haraam (impermissible).

Why halal?

Rather than leaving people to carry out activities with no guidelines, Islam places certain parameters that are according to the natural disposition of mankind. Doing them otherwise would violate the principles of their essential being which they are divinely created to operate on. These parameters on human activity, allow us to rise from our crude base selves and evolve into our full potential.

Islam does not change the fundamentals of culture, but it refines it based on correct thought coupled with halal action. This is evident in societies which Islam impacted whether they be North Africa, the Levant, Persia, Turkey, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. Islam was the catalyst the filtered and refined the ancient culture to come up with the best, by subjecting them to the parameters of halal.

When people are forced to operate within halal parameters they develop their intellectual abilities to come up with something useful, exquisite, subtle, and elegant that did not exist before. Thus, it refines the culture from the easy, direct, base, and vulgar haraam possibilities that are common in non-Muslim cultures. 

• Male-Female Interaction

Unrelated men and women are to observe proper dress code and a degree of formality. They are not to meet each other in seclusion. They should be careful about the tone of their voice and their body language.

Such rules allow synergies between the sexes to achieve great achievements without opening the door for the development of unlawful desires among them.

• Art

Muslim art does not show created beings as their depiction can open the door to polytheism. Moreover, it is not vulgar or blasphemous. Such guidelines led to the evolution of new forms such as Arabic calligraphy, floral patterns, geometric motifs and, refined architecture that can be seen in masterpieces like to Mosque of Cordoba. In the Middle Ages, Muslim art was copied all over Europe. 

• Literature / Media

Halal literature/media are not vulgar, blasphemous, derogatory, and hateful. The eloquence of the Quran and the historical eloquence of the Arabic language set the standard for quality Muslim literature/media. The impact of Islam on every non-Muslim civilization resulted in a tremendous refinement of their language and literature. 

• Entertainment / Jokes

Believe it or not, even Muslims like to have fun. Nevertheless, their amusements are inclusive and devoid of negativity. Muslims cannot have fun at the expense of other, either individuals or groups, nor can their fun be vulgar, blasphemous, or based on falsehood.

• Work / Finances

Halal work is based on ethical principles. It should be based on fair effort, devoid of interest, deception, and ambiguity. Work should be constructive and beneficial.

• Dress

The Muslim dress code covers the hair and the whole body for a woman, except after the wrists and the ankles. There is a difference of opinion about if the woman's face needs to be covered. For the man, everything from between the navel to the knee needs to be covered. 

The clothing for both sexes should be loose and opaque.

• Food

Normally when we think of halal we just think of food. Halal food is devoid of pig products and alcohol. Furthermore, the permissible animals need to be slaughtered in an Islamic manner.