Is halal food acceptable if prepared by someone who is not muslim?

Question

I am planning on hosting and preparing a dinner party for my husband's friends, one of whom is muslim. I have designed a menu that uses halal meat, no pork products and no alcohol, but is this sufficient? Are there some ways that food must be cooked that I'm not aware of? Does it affect the lawfulness of the food if it is prepared by someone who isn't muslim? Being from the States, I was hoping to cook something a bit different for them (authentic Mexican food came to mind), but I would want my husband's friend to be able to relax and enjoy it without worry, and I would be mortified if he couldn't eat it.

Answer 1

being halal  is more than just buying hala meat and eliminating all non hala meat....

if your friends are really strict Muslim..they'll never touch your food...

1) Halal food .. means all food, equipments(pan, spoon, fork, table) must never touch non-halal food before...

2) YES it is OK for a non-Muslim to prepare the food... but his cloths must also be halal...meaning there is no trace of non-hala blood or meat or whatever present.... and he needs to wash himself really clean before cooking...

anyway, like I said .... if he is a strict and fanatic Muslim.. he wouldn't touch or eat your stuff...

but if he is a regular Muslim that understand the Koran well... he will be OK that you are serving the halal meat... don't worry about the cook..

Answer 2

i think u r very considerate about him.I think ur way is OK.But u must be sure the meat is halal and not even a small drop of  non-halal food or anything which is not halal must not the the halal food ur making for him.

Answer 3

Hi

As a Muslim myself, first of all,I have to say thank you very much for being so considerate.I am sure the friend will be so appreciative of your thought fullness.

Okay,read on......

There are some Muslims (very few remaining!!)that are really strict about the utensils,cutlery etc that was used for dishes cooked previously and require that each item used for pork or non halal meat or alcohol be washed thrice before being used for preparation of halal food.

However most Muslims these day don't mind so long as there is no pork,non halal meat on the menu.(myself included!!) I am sure that your guest is of the same opinion or else he probably would've used an excuse to decline the invitation!! Probably you could include a good vegetarian /lentil/bean option in case he feels uncomfortable for any reason.Mexican food does have some fantastic veg options available so that shouldn't be a problem.

Regarding the alcohol,I would feel terrible if other guests couldn't enjoy their drinks because of me.But quite honestly lot's of Muslims,even the 'cool' (!) ones do feel a little uncomfortable with alcohol on the table.Then again lot's of them  DO eat at resturants that serve alcohol or are BYO establishments (again including myself!)However I always check that there isn't any alcohol in the meal or desert.

Regarding the meal being prepared by you,I think that the guest will be honored,knowing the care you've taken in preparing his meal. So,no being cooked by a person who is not a muslim should pose NO problem whatsoever.I am really touched by what a considerate , beautiful person you are.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

We have muslim friends, some more orthodox than others, and Jewish friends who are the same, and while I tailor the menu to make sure I am cooking by their dietary laws, they have no problem coming over to our home. I would think that if your husband's friend is extremely observant, he would decline the invitation and also offer an explanation. It's wonderful of you to be so concerned and thoughtful. And if your experience is similar to mine, you'll find some great new stores to shop at, whether your guests are observant or not. The store where I buy my halal meat has become a place I shop regularly, because of the quality of their goods.

Answer 5

Don't worry about it. Believe me if he was such a strict person, he wouldn't come to your house for dinner. Just don't serve pork and do not marinate the food in alcohol. No second thoughts.That's all.

Answer 6

The meat should be certified halal (to make sure it was slaughtered in the right way). You should be careful not to contaminate the food with anything that is not halal during storage or preparation.

For some things it can be tricky to know if it is halal. Sometimes cheese is made with pig products! Various food items may contain gelatin that is also made from pigs. But a little internet research should clue you in.