28
Column
Glam Halal | July-august. 2020
HALALan TOYYIBan in the
pandemic
equation
Covid-19 has affected many aspects of life and the environment
June 5, 2020 (13 Syawal 1441H). The
people in Malaysia had gone through
four phases of Movement Control
Order; a very different, unforgettable
Ramadhan and a Hari Raya Aidilfitri
without the balik kampung and the
normal ziarah.
The ‘normal’ indeed has been challenged,
but people in the country adapted, learned,
created and embraced a new norm to live in
a new normal, or renewed normal for some.
People around the world did just that too.
But who can forget the significant changes
were caused by a super tiny creature, the
SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2); the new virus that
caused Covid-19 pandemic?
Covid-19 has affected many aspects of
life and the environment. There were many
adverse effects, but one with a pure heart
would see a whole lot more of silver linings
and blessings in disguise. The halal industry is
one of those affected sectors – some negative
consequences and some positive effects.
In halal industry vicinity, one could
observe that the first interception between
Covid-19 and halal was on the locus of the
economy. At the national level, various systems
are affected, from medical to education,
construction to tourism, agriculture to manufacturing;
causing a tremendous undesirable
impact on supply chain and the economy.
In Malaysia, the economic pie has been
steadily contributed by the halal industry
through its various sectors of food and beverages,
pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics
and shari’ah-compliant services.
Economy -
Halal Industry
Holistic
Halalan
Toyyiban
• Wildlife has been pointed as the origins of Covid-19
• Wildlife harbours viruses that are scientifically
proven to be harmful to human
• Refraining from unsafe foods are the commandment
from the Creator
• Farming of wildlife for human consumption is
contrary to the holistic concept of Halalan Toyyiban
In The Malaysian Reserve, Halal Development
Corporation (HDC) CEO, Hairol Ariffein
Sahari, said the country had earlier set an
RM50 billion target in halal export for 2020.
Still, the impact of Covid-19 pandemic is projected
to cause a shortfall of three per cent to
RM42 billion.
Despite the disruption to the halal
economy, the main halal sectors such as food
and beverages as well as pharmaceuticals
continue to remain healthy and resilient as
more people turn to religion and faith-based
lifestyle for solace in times of crisis.
The second interception of Covid-19 and
halal sits on the locus of cleanliness, as the
whole world sees it. Hygiene aspects surfaced
during the Covid-19 pandemic, showing the
world it is indeed an appropriate measure in
food, health and life.
Hygiene is inherent in HALALan TOYY-
IBan practice. Hygiene is one of the criteria
of a halal product and embedded in the halal
business operations.
However, a HALALan TOYYIBan dietary
practice, as a whole, has thus far been technically
ill-defined. It makes it less practical to
be incorporated in the halal food industry, let
alone to see its positive impacts in promoting
health and well-being.
Nevertheless, the third interception is
by-far the most fundamental and critical;
where the interception of Covid-19 and halal
sits on the holistic concept of HALALan TOYY-
IBan itself. Despite the advances of science
and technology; the origin of the coronavirus
and how it is passed to humans is still a big
mystery.
• Covid-19 disrupts the halal industry
• Malaysian halal export target for year
2020 falls three per cent from projected
target ( RM50 billion to RM42 Billion)
• Nevertheless, main halal sectors
remain strong and resilient
Cleanliness -
Hygiene -
Toyyib
• Hygiene is a powerful
tool to combat Covid-19
• Hygiene is inherent in
Toyyiban practices
By Yumi Zuhanis
Has-Yun HaSHim
Anis Najiha Ahmad
and
Prof Dr Hamzah
Mohd Salleh
International
Institute for Halal
Research and
Training (INHart),
International
Islamic University
Malaysia
Finding the virus source of origin is vital
for preventing further reinfection. While geopolitical
issues and conspiracy theories taint
the search for the virus source, two animals
appeared to be the most consistently reported
to have roles in causing Covid-19 disease.
The bats being the source or virus origin,
and the pangolin being the intermediate
animal before being spread to people.
A Muslim theologian and jurist, Ibn
Qudamah (d. ca.620 AH / 1223 CE), quoted th e
opinion of an early Muslim traditional jurist,
Ibrahim al-Nakha’i (d. ca.95 AH / 717 CE), that
all types of birds are lawful (halal) except
bats due to the filthy nature of the animal.
The Arabs do not consider bats to be good, and
they do not consume it.
The Mufti of Federal Territory official website
issued a legal, religious announcement
- fatwa (Irsyad al-Fatwa No 397) that bats were
haram (unlawful) for consumption in Islam.
There are no specific rulings regarding
the consumption of pangolin in the Qur’an
or hadith.
However, based on several books and opinions
of ulama (Muslim scholars) and based
on being careful and cautious, the Mufti of
Federal Territory official website is inclined
towards prohibiting the consumption of
pangolin (Irsyad al-Fatwa No. 243).
From the food safety point of view, both
bats and pangolins, being classified as
wildlife, naturally harbour various kinds of
viruses. Some of these viruses could be harmful
to human, such as SARS-CoV-2.
Farming of wildlife for food (production)
for human consumption is, therefore, against
the food safety concept. Food safety is one of
the attributes of HALALan TOYYIBan where
toyyib is usually associated with a good,
wholesome, pure and safe, as well as being
ethical as opposed to khabith (unhealthful,
unclean, impure and unsafe).
HALALan TOYYIBan food and beverage are
required to safeguard human life and intellect;
which are essential maqasid al-shari’ah
elements.
Some school of thoughts subscribe HALA-
Lan TOYYIBan as two separate entities of
halal being (only) shari’atic, and toyyib being
(only) scientific. This view stands to be challenged
and corrected.
The roles of bats and pangolin in Covid-19
pandemic support the importance to embrace
HALALan TOYYIBan as a holistic concept.
How is this so?
Scientifically, it was proven the virus
hosted by bats and pangolins could cause
detrimental health effects (of Covid-19). As
such, the consumption of wildlife is not safe.
While being scientific, toyyib is also shari’atic,
as it is based on the commandment of God
(Allah), the creator of the virus itself, wildlife,
human and the cosmos.
A muhasabah (retrospection): Covid-19
pandemic is a reset button, an excellent
opportunity to re-think and change how we
approach and advocate HALALan TOYYIBan
as a holistic concept for the well being of
humanity as instructed by God (c.f. Qur’an,
2:168) rather than its composite form.
Have we not been put HALALan TOYY-
IBan in its correct and deserving position
to protect and preserve life and intellect as
stipulated in maqasid al-shari’ah? As the
stories of SARS-CoV-2 virus, bats and pangolins
unfold, the equation of HALALan
TOYYIBan in the Covid-19 pandemic
becomes clearer.
The silver lining shines to show HALALan
TOYYIBan is indeed supreme as it is God’s
command to humanity to embrace and
uphold in the journey to seek the pleasure
of God (mardhatillah).