News:

Over the past few days and weeks, a brouhaha over halal status of two products from Cadbury had cause public outcry from the public and NGOs alike. The issue caught public attention when a leaked lab report has shown that the two Cadbury chocolate products; the Roast Almond and Hazelnut, are not halal for Muslim consumption. The Ministry of Heath had earlier said two out of three samples of Cadbury chocolate contained porcine DNA [1].

The public became more agitated when JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development), a government body responsible for the issuance of Halal certification for consumer products in Malaysia has come out with their own lab test which indicated that the two products are free from ‘haram' substances. The Ministry of Health defended their lab findings but later played down the issue by saying they will coordinate and refer future lab test with JAKIM in order to avoid confusion. Anger and confusion over the two conflicting verdicts with threats to boycott all Cadbury products and others dominate public discussion online and offline. PPIM (Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia), a local Muslim consumer society NGO has made a statement demanding seizure of Cadbury's factory [2].

On another incident, Malaysian Muslims were again shocked when gross images of a rice noodle manufacturing factory gone viral. It was later reported the factory has been raided by the authority. JAKIM in this particular case confirmed that the factory has been using fake ‘Halal' logo deceiving consumer that their products is halal. In response, various parties had raised their concern on the reliability and credibility of ‘halal' logo issued by JAKIM. [Sources: 1: BERNAMA, 2: AstroAwani and other local sources]

Comments:

It is true that Muslims are required to seek halal substance for consumption. A Muslim must at his/her best to ensure products consumed by them and those under their care are in accordance to what Allah (swt) has allowed or forbade.

((وَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّهُ حَلاَلاً طَيِّبًا وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ الَّذِيَ أَنتُم بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ))

"And eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear Allah, in whom you are believers." [Al-Maidah: 88]

The public response to the issue can be understood. After all, it is about food stuff for our consumption and for Muslims, it is a sensitive subject. However, this subject is super sensitive here. It can be observed that this type of incident (which has happened in the past) will last for months and reactions will be clear and loud in nature. Unfortunately, the same zealous will not be seen for other aspect of adherence. Why the same outcry were not seen when Islamic Law was not implemented and instead secular man-made law was forced on Muslim and non-Muslims alike? Why wasn't there a call for the army to mobilize when Muslims are being massacred in neighbouring border like in Myanmar and Thailand? Why wasn't there a demand for seizure of banking institutions which deals with riba' transactions on daily basis? Why are we hyper sensitive when it comes to foods and drinks but almost immune to other type of transgressions.

Muslims should have their fikrah, sensitivity and inclinations guided by Islam on all matters. Not a select subset of issues and leave the rest to our own definition of good and bad. Verily, Allah has commanded:

((يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ))

"O you who believe! Enter completely in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion) and follow not the footsteps of Satan. Verily! He is to you a plain enemy." [Al-Baqarah:208]

How will it be different if Muslims; the mass public or NGOs alike, are united in calling for the total implementation of Islam in their daily life and rejecting the forced implementation of man-mad system that impact not just our bowels, but every aspect of our existence. Allah is our Creator and Allah knows best what good and bad for His creation.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Yusuf Idris