Free range chickens are halal to consume as long as they are slaughtered according to Islamic principles. These chickens are allowed to roam freely and are not caged, making them humanely raised and thus suitable for halal consumption.
In recent times, free range chicken has become increasingly popular, but is it halal? If you are a follower of a halal diet, you need to know where your food is coming from and how it’s raised.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the specific requirements for halal chicken, the benefits of choosing them over the ones that are raised in a cage, and more. Keep reading!
Why is Free Range Chicken Halal?
Free range chickens are a popular choice for those following a halal diet, as they are allowed to roam freely and are not confined to cages. However, the concept of “free range” does not directly determine whether a chicken is considered halal or not. Instead, the method of slaughter and preparation determines a chicken’s halal status.
Both free-range and non-free-range chickens can be considered halal as long as they are slaughtered and prepared according to Islamic guidelines. These guidelines state that the chicken must be slaughtered by a Muslim using a sharp knife, while the animal is alive and well, in the name of God (Allah)
Halal refers to food and other permissible products for Muslims to eat or consume. One of the core ethics of Halal is the humane treatment of animals, including the absolute prohibition of causing unnecessary harm or pain.
Since free-range chickens are naturally grown without the suffering of being confined to a cage or restricted environment, they are generally considered Halal. Moreover, sufficient care is also taken to ensure that the chickens are treated humanely and respectfully.
These factors ensure that free-range chickens meet all requirements for Halal certification, making them a great option for those looking to maintain a halal diet.
The Benefit of Choosing Free Range Chicken
Free range chickens are an excellent choice for those maintaining a halal diet, as they are more humanely raised and provide higher-quality meat. Here are some of the benefits of choosing free-range chickens:
Better Taste: Free-range chickens can graze their own food more actively than conventional chickens, resulting in tastier meat.
Healthier for humans: Free-range chickens are most likely to have the lowest risk of bacterial contamination due to their ability to forage for food.
Produce fat-free meat: Due to their ability to graze freely, free-range chickens produce less fat than their conventional counterparts.
Animal welfare: Free-range chickens are allowed to roam and express natural behaviors such as foraging, flapping their wings, and even dust bathing. This makes them much more humanely raised than those confined to cages.
More nutritious: Free range chickens can consume more natural foods than their conventional counterparts. This results in more nutritious meat that is higher in protein, iron, zinc and other essential nutrients.
Also Read: Is Turmeric Halal or Haram?
Can Free Range Chicken Be Haram?
Yes, if you bought their meat from a store that doesn’t slaughter it according to the Islamic procedure. There are two main provisions in this regard.
First, the animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim with a sharp knife. Before doing so, the animal must be alive and healthy. Secondly, the name of God (Allah) must be invoked immediately before slaughter.
If these two principles are not followed, then the meat would not be considered halal, regardless of whether it was free range or not.
Therefore, to ensure that your chicken is considered halal, it is important to purchase it from a halal-certified butcher. This way, you can be sure that the chicken was slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines.
If you cannot find a halal-certified store, it is best to buy live chicken from the store and slaughter it according to Islamic practices. This way, you can ensure that the chicken is halal and safe for consumption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that free-range chickens are more “halal” since they are raised in a healthier and more environmentally friendly manner. All you need to do is buy them from a reputable source where the chicken is slaughtered according to Islamic laws.
With this information in mind, you can buy free-range chickens confidently and enjoy the benefits of this healthier meat.
