100% halal?

The issue of halal is of particular concern to Muslims. It is the responsibility of Muslims to ensure that the food/drink they consume is halal. I will not go at length on this obligation, as most people these days are very much aware of it. [Read here for a simple explanation on halal].

Most definitely, when a product has a halal certificate, it adds credence to the product. And when this product is marketed in a Muslim area, the product would certainly be picked up compared to the same product of another brand without the certification. The halal certificate gives confidence to Muslim consumers on the permissibility of the product.

What irks me though is how some businesses use halal as a marketing tool rather irresponsibly. I notice that some businesses are marketing their product or brand as 100% halal. To me, it is as if they are saying that other people's product or brand is not 100% halal even if they have the halal certification.

As far as I know, a product is either halal or haram, period. There is no such thing as 90% halal or 75% halal or 50% halal or 10% halal. So, I find it ridiculous for these businesses to claim that their product or brand is 100% halal.

And I find it irresponsible to cast doubts on other brands or products. If you want to market your brand or product, do so ethically without creating suspicion or badmouthing others, directly or indirectly. It is ironic if a business promoting halal products be involved in un-Islamic ways.

A reminder from the Quran:

O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible); for suspicion in some cases is a sin; and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it. But fear God; for God is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.

[Al-Hujurat (49): 12]

If indeed there is doubt about a particular brand or product's halalness, then report the matter to the proper authority so that the authority would be able to investigate and verify the authenticity of the claim. We should never proclaim anything, especially when it has to do with religion or cultural sensitivity, if we do not have the authority or credentials to do so. More so, if we have a vested interest in that matter.