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Most wisdom is gained by experience and the practical application of one’s effort and labour which supplements the acquisition of knowledge through tutelage.

SANHA did not invent Halaal certification but applied itself diligently to address the dire circumstances faced by the Ummah at the time. 25 years of experience at the forefront has armed and honed SANHA’s skills to the extent that it has developed standards and systems of Halaal assurance that are admired and emulated world over.

Arising out of this experience, we have become accustomed to receiving certain types of queries relevant to this time of the year i.e. year-end holidays.

December is probably the world’s great vacation and travel time, the season of business and school closures, year-end events, bonus payments and other celebrations. People are on the move from local short hops to intercontinental travel.

It is during these heady times that travelers far from their creature comforts of home encounter many challenges. Thirsty, hungry and fatigued, travelers may inadvertently succumb by allowing their guard to slip with compromises of faith that they ordinarily would not accept. This is the time when we would consider eating a margherita/vegetarian pizza at a non-Halaal pizzeria. Eat grilled prawns and other seafood at a non-Halaal restaurant, which may even be using wine in the marinade or accept the assurance of the waiter that the chickens are Halaal but omitting to tell you that pork is also handled and prepared in the same kitchen area.

Some common questions posed during this period:-

1. The outlet is advertised as Halaal Friendly

“Halaal Friendly” can be Haraam deadly. It's the death of taqwa and spirituality by stealth. Click here to understand further -
https://www.sanha.org.za/flashnews/2021/media/Halaal_Gazette_20.pdf

2. We only go in for coffee. It is an insult to think that as Muslims we will consume the alcohol that they serve.

That Muslims do not indulge in alcohol is not doubted. If only we knew the unambiguous ruling on dining where alcohol is served, we would not feel insulted. Instead, we would want to profusely thank SANHA or anyone else that advises giving such places a wide berth.

Get the Islamic ruling here -
https://www.sanha.org.za/flashnews/2021/media/Halaal_Gazette_21.pdf

3. The place is Muslim-owned and does not need certification.

We acknowledge that this is a view held by some and one they are entitled to live by. There is no compulsion for any outlet to be certified or patronised. However, SANHA subscribers understand that thousands of substances are added to food during processing to preserve it from bacteria, prevent oxidation and to make it appealing. This makes it impossible for an individual to control or have knowledge of every ingredient and the manufacturing process. Therefore, reliance is placed on our 25-year independent third party quality assurance system.

Click here for a narrative:
http://www.sanha.org.za/flashnews/2013/flashn77.htm

4. When we cannot find Halaal we go for Kosher. That is safest as it is closest to Halaal.

Whether sincere or nonchalant, this attitude is suicidal. The link below illustrates that substituting Kosher for Halaal is a grave error, which compromises one’s faith.

Click here -
https://www.sanha.org.za/flashnews/2021/media/Halaal_Gazette_18.pdf

5. We use our food apps to order from the Halaal menus of delivery services.

Currently there is no service provider certified for the exclusive delivery of Halaal food. This means that no protocols are in place, which regulates the service to prevent contamination with Haraam items or even receiving one’s order from a non-Halaal vendor.

Click here - http://www.sanha.org.za/flashnews/2020/flashn155.html

6. How wrong can we go by sticking to breads and cakes from a bakery?

It is not a simple bread and butter issue, as it may appear. Certification of bakery outlets is regarded as being from among the most critical areas of Halaal certification. We aver that outlets, which are not certified/approved, should be avoided as they fall within the category of mushtabihāt (doubtful).

Click here if you Knead to Know -
https://www.sanha.org.za/flashnews/2021/media/Halaal_Gazette_22.pdf

The perfect Exemplar to mankind, our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated, “The Halaal is clear and the Haraam is clear; in between these two there are doubtful matters concerning which people do not know (whether they are Halaal or Haraam). One who avoids them, in order to safeguard his religion and his honour, is safe. Anyone who gets involved in any of these doubtful items, may fall into the Haraam” (Bukhari & Muslim).

CAN ANY STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT BE MORE AUTHORITATIVE THAN THAT SPOKEN BY THE GREATEST PERSON TO WALK THIS EARTH.