Aspects of Islamic law for halal products and services in a new era: spiritual, legal and moral dimensions

• Main Author: Zakariyah, Luqman
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English; English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: BL Religion; H Social Sciences (General); KBP Islamic Law
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/68429/1/Keynote%20Speaker.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/68429/3/Keynote%20PPT.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/68429/4/Poster.png; http://irep.iium.edu.my/68429/19/Keynote%20Paper%20Aspects%20of%20Islamic%20Law%20for%20Halal%20Products%20and%20Services%20in%20a%20New%20Era.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/68429/

Aspects of Islamic Law for Halal Products and Services in a New Era: Spiritual, Legal and Moral Dimensions With the fast growing of Halal industry, and the expansion of the definition of Halal to include all areas of Muslims’ lifestyle, there is an urgent need to build this growth on a very solid and resilient Shariah framework in order to avoid chaos and downfall in the future. While there are so many research analyses on market, economic and statistical growth of Halal and the mundane benefits of this growth, we seldom find a rigorous Shariah analysis on what each element of Halal Industry component involves. Among the Muslim Classical Jurists, the term Halal was most often used for edible products as opposed to other evolved elements of halal in the new era. Halal products and services in the new era include halal food and its subs, halal banking and finance, halal cosmetics, halal advertisement, halal hospitality and tourism, halal logistic, to mention few. All these components from Islamic law point may have similar general principle of permissibility, but in practice, however, particular principles are accorded to each component. This core niche area has not been well researched, and it could tantamount to chaos in the future if care is not taken. My speech today explores aspects of Spirituality, Legality and Morality in Halal Product and Services in this time we are living. The paper elucidates the three dimensions from the sources of Islamic law. How do spirituality, legality and morality affect halal products and services in Islamic law? Why do we need to make our product and services halal from spiritual horizontal dimension? What are the consequences of nonchalance towards adherence to this need? What is the basis for halality and haramity of products and services offered in the markets? In a compelling situation, what are the tolerable haram products and services from Islamic legal theory, and who has the legitimate power to regulate the tolerable size of haram if there exists complication between halal and haram? The paper submits that while spiritual dimension of halal products and services serves to connect humans with his/her Creator, Allah, it also serves the purpose of healthy being, which is one of the components of Maqasid al-Shariah. The legal dimension of Islamic law on Halal products is entrusted to the authority for the regulation of human’s behaviour towards his Creator and his human fellows. The moral dimension is meant for purification of souls, and helps human beings to attain the highest status of Iman. By and large, a holistic society can be created through adherence to the three dimensions of Islamic law in halal products and services in the new era.