Blog Post

How to be a Halal Conscious Consumer

Kusimo Idayat • Jan 19, 2021

The concept of Halal is expanding across the globe, and along with it comes a lifestyle that Muslims can adopt in order to become a halal conscious consumer. A significant part of becoming "halal conscious" has to do with assessing our behavior and attitudes, as a Muslim consumer.

Before we dive in too deep, let's discuss what we mean by the term "halal conscious consumer." Suppose a specific bracket of consumers is labeled as "halal conscious" – does that mean that they are exclusively involved in commercial activities permitted in Islam? According to a recent report on halal trends, halal-inclusive activities geared towards the Muslim market were no longer solely occupied by adherents of the Islamic faith.


More and more non-Muslims are gradually buying into the concept of what we call a "halal conscious consumer." According to a research report published in the Journal of Brand Management, "The reason for this trend is that the halal market derives attention not only from Muslims but also from Non-Muslims who are motivated by the simplicity, purity, and humanity of halal product itself."

Apart from the fact that it guarantees assurance and security as a Muslim, being a halal-conscious consumer has multiple benefits. In addition to product quality control, it is also an effective way to promote a healthy lifestyle.

How to be a Halal Conscious Consumer

To become a halal conscious consumer, a certain etiquette needs to be adhered to within our everyday trade and commercial transactions. Below we list four key aspects of how to attain that:

1. Buy what you need

It is common knowledge that the human being has insatiable desires. Of those desires, is the need to accumulate or possess more than what one requires. It is essential that the halal-conscious consumer only buy what they need and avoid wasting. Within Islam, wasting is frowned upon and is strongly discouraged. In the Quran, Allah says:


"O Children of Adam! Dress properly at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but do not be excessive. He does not love the transgressors" (7:31).


It is always a good idea to assess one's various needs and necessities from time to time. It is essential to not compare one's lifestyle with another and compete in the accumulation of things; purchase only what you need.

2. Shop at halal ethical/sustainable businesses

As a halal-conscious consumer, when you shop from a company with ethical standards, you're supporting a company that shares the same mission as you. By supporting ethical businesses, you're purchasing a product that has gone through minimal to no harmful practices, reduced waste, and employees are compensated fairly. Additionally, it also ensures that the product you are purchasing has gone through a process of quality control, which means that you're getting more bang for your buck. Subsequently, when you shop ethically, you help improve the greater society, as well as the economy.  


Islam encourages supporting and aiding one another in good causes. In Surah Al-Ma'idah, Allah implores us:


"Help one another in righteousness and in warding off evil, but do not help one another to commit sin and transgression, and take Allah as a shield. Surely, Allah is Severe in retribution" (5:2).


It is the halal-conscious consumer's responsibility to support halal businesses with ethical and sustainable practices, at their core.

3. Promote agriculture by growing your own produce and eating tayyib

Halal-conscious consumers are aware of the costs and health implications that are incurred as a result of consuming processed food and drinks. By growing your own food and eating pure and halal food, you will save money and improve your health by minimizing the risk of exposure to chemicals and toxins present in most of the food we consume.

Islam encourages agriculture as it is regarded as a blessed and productive activity. There are countless verses in the Quran that mention agriculture. Of those verses, Allah says:


"It is he who sendeth down rain from the skies, with it we produce vegetation of all kinds, from some we produce green (crops), out of which we produce, close-compounded grain out of the date-palm and its sheaths (or spathes) (come) clusters of dates hanging low and near, And (then there are) gardens of grapes and olives, and pomegranates, each similar (in-kind) yet different (in variety) when they begin to bear fruit, feast your eyes with the fruit and the ripeness thereof. Behold! In these things, there are signs for people who believe" (6:99).


Additionally, there are also various ahadith of Prophet Muhammad that promote agriculture. In a hadith in the book of Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:


"There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." (Sahih Bukhari)


Therefore, we can deduce that agriculture is not only an important way of contributing to the economy and society at large, but it is also regarded as an act of worship.

4. Reduce your carbon footprint

Your carbon footprint is your contribution to releasing carbon dioxide and other gasses that are toxic to the environment. The bigger your carbon footprint, the more significant harm you are causing the environment.


According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "a carbon footprint is a measure of the impact your activities have on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced through the burning of fossil fuels and is expressed as a weight of CO2 emissions produced in tonnes."

One major contributor to a huge carbon footprint is the use of plastics such as plastic bags, nylons, single-use cutlery, and cups, etc. Plastic is not biodegradable, and as a result, when it is not disposed of safely, this causes pollution to the earth and endangers wildlife.


Islam forbids us from causing harm to the earth. In the Quran, Allah says:


"And when it is said to them (to those whose hearts are impeded and whose disease Allah has increased because they prevent others from Guidance): "Do not make mischief in the earth (do not prevent others from the way of Allah)" they say: "We are only those who improve [those who teach the Religion and who purify the souls (hearts)]" (2: 11).


Therefore, it is encouraged to reduce our carbon footprint where we can. A good place to start is by reducing the amount of plastic we use and remembering: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Conclusion

As halal-conscious consumers, our buying power has an immense impact on the eco-system and our environment. We can become more "conscious" of our purchases when we only buy what we need, purchase from halal ethical businesses, consume whole foods, and reduce our carbon footprint.

Works cited:


Kusimo Temitayo is a freelance writer from Lagos, Nigeria. She has been freelancing for the past five years. She has a degree in Education and English language from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University. When she isn't writing, you can find her using the best naturalistic and holistic approaches to keeping her family healthy.

Kusimo Idayat • Jan 19, 2021
By Mansoor Umar 18 Jan, 2024
Navigating the Halal Status of Acetic Acid for Informed Consumption and Use
Minara El-Rahman with Mora Cosmetics products, highlighting halal certification
By Mansoor Umar 02 Oct, 2023
Discover how Minara El-Rahman and her brand, Mora Cosmetics, achieved the esteemed halal certification after a year of rigorous work with Halal Watch World. Dive into the journey of dedication and innovation.
By Mansoor Umar 31 Aug, 2023
Rebutting the naysayers, and setting the record straight regarding mechanical aid in processing Halal poultry
Halal Certification
By Mansoor Umar 25 May, 2023
Explore our insights on Halal Certification in 21st-century businesses. Stay ahead of industry trends, learn and read more!
Show More
Share by: