I’m just reading this article now. I’m from Australia where we face these ethical dillemas everyday as consumers in this society. I have come to the decision that we are guilty by complicigy because exploitation wouldn’t occur without the consumer accepting to buy and support the brand regardless.

I would have loved to see a stronger opinion here questioning the permissibility of these purchases from a legal perspective. I thimk we live in a new context and our scholars need to assess whether as Muslims it is halal to buy from businesses that are oppressive or destructive.

On the food topic as well, many foods are haram because of their harmful effects. I think our scholars need to be preemptive and make haram foods that contain cancer related and other dangerous chemicals. Surely alcohol even is less harmful than some of the processed foods out there yet we don’t see scholars bravely commenting on the permissibility of consuming them.

Just thought I’d chime in (am the author). I agree entirely with you, we need to have priorities. And your assessment is correct. Nonetheless, I don’t think we should avoid discussions such as this one. It would also be helpful to keep in mind the audience, people that regularly read blogs such as this one might be more inclined to thinking about ethics and how that relates to what “halal” is. Allah knows best and may Allah guide us all to that which is best.

Although that sounds great, unfortunately, most people dont care enough about halal and haram in the first place. Not that these arent important, but things need to need done in steps. Its better, as far as I understand, if one eats halal and not organic rather than haram and organic. We have a halal crisis in America, and we first need to deal with that and put as much focus on that as possible before putting our efforts toward eating organic. Both are important, but we gotta realize what has higher priority and work on things in that order.

Sithara is wholeheartedly correct.

It is about time we reexamine, in a holistic sense, what we eat, drink, breathe, wear, think, speak, and do.

Only then can we truly fulfill the spirit of the sunnah and our convenant with Allah SWT.

Ameen to this duaa:
“Insha Allah Ramadan will also be a time for us focus more on living a purified life in accordance with the Sharia and with the spirit of the Sunnah.”

I also think that our community focuses on very narrowly on legal edicts and often misses the big picture.

For example, every single ingredient in every food item and other products (ie, soaps, perfumes, etc) are examined for ingredients that maybe ‘haram’ – ie, whether they include ingredients that include products that derive from pork, etc. Thus, the focus is on memorizing an ever growing list of chemicals to ensure products one buys doesn’t include these chemicals.

However, there are many chemicals that from a health point of view may not be acceptable, even if they may not be legally designated as ‘haram’ – including pesticides, hormones, pharmaceuticals, GMO products, etc. A person who simply focuses on ‘haram’ versus ‘halal’ maybe fulfilling the letter of the Islamic Law, but is clearly not doing much for their health, and I would argue is not following the spirit of the Sunnah.

The solution is to buy organic if possible. Also, instead of memorizing long lists of chemicals, try to buy products that only contain ingredients that one recognizes. Long lists of chemicals in any product should raise concerns. This will help ensure that we are following Islamic law as well.

However, Alhamdhulillah, I do see changes – from articles such as this one to Islamic Businesses selling organic halal meat :D!

Insha Allah Ramadan will also be a time for us focus more on living a purified life in accordance with the Sharia and with the spirit of the Sunnah.

-Sithara