At SANHA’s Annual General Meeting, held on November 10, 2024, in Cape Town, Shaykh Abduragmaan Alexander delivered the keynote address highlighting the importance of Halaal principles and the responsibilities this entails. His address, infused with wisdom, humor, and reverence, underscored the role of Halaal certification in the lives of Muslims and SANHA’s commitment to safeguarding these standards.
In his own eloquent style, he began by referencing the Jumuah talk delivered by Moulana Dawood Cassim, a senior Aalim of the country, Executive Member of the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa and a Trustee of SANHA, at Musjidul Quds on the Friday preceding. The gist of the message was that Islam is Divinely decreed to lead and not to follow. Therefore Muslims must be in the forefront and not be mere followers of the ideologies out there today. Muslims, he emphasized, are “Khaleefatan fil Ard” (vicegerents on earth), endowed by Allah Almighty with the intellect to uphold His commands and the responsibility of fulfilling high moral standards.
Shaykh Abduragmaan highlighted the concept of Ihsaan—translated as professionalism or excellence – essential in every act a Muslim performs and aligning with the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) guidance on achieving excellence in all endeavours. He quoted the tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who said: “Verily Allah has decreed excellence in everything”.
This standard of excellence he noted, is embodied by SANHA, which he applauded for its accountability and transparency. Shaykh Abduragmaan shared a personal experience of his, where international contacts had recommended SANHA as the premier certifying body for products entering global markets, underscoring its international reputation for reliability and trust.
Dietary laws, Shaykh Abduragmaan pointed out, have consistently held prominence in Islamic teachings. Consumption of Halaal and Halaalan Tayyibah (wholesome and pure) food is paramount, ensuring that all a Muslim ingests complies with Divine laws. He emphasized that today’s society, driven by materialism, disregards purity in food, and often prioritizes profit over quality. Shaykh Abduragmaan attributed this shift to a culture of greed, warning of the harmful ingredients and additives prevalent in contemporary food products. To combat this, he highlighted the necessity for high standards in Halaal certification to ensure Muslims can eat with confidence knowing their food aligns with Islamic principles.
He delivered a passionate reminder to SANHA and other Halaal Certifying Bodies on the heavy responsibility of their roles, urging them to uphold and protect this Sacred trust. His statement, “there is no such thing as Halaal-friendly,” resonated with the audience and advocated for a clear distinction between what is Halaal and what is not. Shaykh Abduragmaan highlighted the dire and grave consequences of our duas not being accepted for 40 days on the consumption of just a morsel of Haraam. The clarity and certainty provided by Halaal certification he asserted, helps Muslims lead lives of integrity, safeguarding their worship and spirituality.
In closing, Shaykh Abduragmaan reminded the audience that a significant portion of the Qur’an is devoted to the Day of Judgment, a day when every individual will account for their actions. He encouraged self-reflection, stressing the importance of living a life that fulfills one’s obligations towards Allah Almighty and society.
Shaykh Abduragmaan’s address left a powerful impression on the audience, lauding SANHA’s standards while challenging the community to uphold Halaal principles. His words echoed the commitment required by SANHA and all Muslims to maintain the purity and integrity of their faith through what they consume.
