Issue No.222 – February 2023 : Rajab 1444

Part 3 of 3

Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Saheb Rahmatullah Alayhi, who is sorely missed by the community since his demise in 2011, was renowned for his moving and inspirational discourses. He was blessed with the unique skill and ability to connect to audiences of all ages with simple but highly effective analogies and anecdotes. On many occasions, at the conclusion of a talk, he would remind all that the meaning of the abbreviation Q & A, was not Quarrels and Arguments.

We thus present our concluding part 3 with our continuing Q & A…

1. 1. Wouldn’t it be ideal if we have one central Halaal body? I think in Malaysia there is just one.

Whilst it is true that Malaysia now has a single Halaal body, it is a false equivalence to relate it to the South African context. The Malaysian majority Muslim government appointed the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) as the sole and competent authority for Halaal certification in 1997. A more appropriate comparison would be with countries with Muslim minorities such as France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, the USA, Canada and the like which have far more certifying bodies per country serving a smaller Muslim population than South Africa. Such an exercise will be revealing and put matters intoproper perspective.

Even though we have a universally accepted definition of Halaal, there is no universally accepted international standard and best practice norms yet. Certifiers operate individually and independently serving their respective constituencies. Many consumers purchase products based on varying levels of trust in their Halaal certification processes together with loyalties shaped by geographical, ideological and cultural differences.

As in all our other spheres of Islamic activities, we are guided by the Qur’anic injunction, “And every one has a direction to which he should turn, therefore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together; surely Allah has power over all things.”(al-Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verse 148)

1. 1. SANHA is a mafia type of organization and have grown a following where people believe, or the way they play with words as if any item not SANHA approved is Haraam. We in the food / grocery business and have endless issues, if u remember last year, they sent out a message about Cadbury chocolates that one should exercise caution yet it was MJC approved.

Blatant untruth, hearsay and astounding arrogance all rolled into one statement. Cadbury was never approved by the MJC at any point in time and no such message was ever issued by SANHA. To suggest that people simply believe that products are Haraam on our say so of “not SANHA approved” is judgemental, condescending and insults their intelligence.  The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble towards one another, so that no one wrongs another or boasts to another.” (Sahih Muslim)

1. 1. There is no need for a Muslim to certify a Muslim owned business as Halaal.

Halaal certification is an individual choice exercised by an entrepreneur. There is no compulsion on any person to certify their establishment with us, with any other body or even to certify at all. There are literally thousands of businesses that have exercised this prerogative which we respect. By the same token we serve those businesses who choose Halaal certification of their own volition, some of whom have done so continuously for over two decades.

What we find deplorable is the few businesses that choose not to be certified but try to intimidate us to provide a free assurance service as an entitlement to their Muslim ownership or prominence they enjoy in the community.

See our explainer on the merits of certification;
https://sanha.co.za/flashnews/2013/flashn77.htm

1. 1. Look at some of the products. You have 2 Halaal stamps and one from the Zionists? We are our own laughing stock?

The concept of multiple certifications is not foreign and is an option utilised in the commercial world. The reference may be to the Simba Lays brand in South Africa who have chosen dual Halaal certification for their products. Click here for comprehension of our position;
https://www.sanha.org.za/flashnews/2022/flashn190.html

It is evident from the aforementioned queries and responses that a gulf of misunderstanding and misconceptions exists that needs to be bridged. Communication is key to understanding and breaking down barriers. As we are living in an era of instant personal communication, we extend a sincere invitation to you to talk to us and get immediate answers directly from the source. We pledge our cooperation to assist you.

Among many questions exchanged between the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Companion Ali (Allah be pleased with him) in a lengthy conversation, Ali (Allah be pleased with him) asked: “What can I do for my salvation?”the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) replied: “Eat Halaal and speak the truth.”

There can be no dispute on the message of our Prophet (peace be upon him).