Halal glossary

The vocabulary you'll see on every YaHalalo listing — explained without jargon.

Halalحلال: Halal refers to anything permissible according to Islamic law (Sharia). Applied to food, it covers permitted ingredients, the method of slaughter, and the absence of contamination from haram (forbidden) substances such as pork or alcohol.
Haramحرام: Haram is the opposite of halal — anything explicitly forbidden. Common examples in food include pork, blood, animals not slaughtered in the prescribed way, and intoxicants such as alcohol.
Mashboohمشبوه: Items whose status is uncertain because of unclear ingredients, processing, or sourcing. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged avoiding the doubtful to protect one's faith and conscience.
Makruhمكروه: Actions or foods that are discouraged but do not carry the prohibition of haram. Frequently invoked when ingredients are technically permitted but better avoided.
Dhabiha (Zabiha)ذبيحة: The ritual slaughter of a permitted animal by a Muslim, invoking the name of Allah, with a sharp blade severing the trachea, oesophagus and jugular veins in a single swift motion so the blood drains fully.
Tayyibطيّب: The Qur'an pairs halal with tayyib: food should be both permissible and wholesome — humanely sourced, hygienic, healthful and ethically produced.
Stunning: Some certifying bodies accept reversible electrical stunning before slaughter when the animal would survive if not cut; others (e.g. HMC) reject all stunning. YaHalalo surfaces each restaurant's stun policy so users can choose what matches their school of thought.
Cross-contamination: Sharing fryers, utensils, grills or storage with pork, bacon or alcohol-cooked dishes can render otherwise-halal food unfit. YaHalalo lists each kitchen's separation policy on every restaurant page.