Journal of Halal Ethics and Research

Restoring Trust: A New Ethical Framework for Halal Supply Chains

Nik Mohamad Ridhwan — 2026-06-30

The global halal meat supply chain confronts a critical integrity crisis characterized by the Halal Paradox, whereby market expansion coincides with declining consumer trust. This concept paper identifies epistemological rupture as the fundamental driver of systemic fraud, conceptualizing it as the institutional decoupling of certification form from spiritual substance. Employing theory-building methodology through narrative synthesis and forensic pattern-matching analysis of Malaysia's 2020 meat cartel scandal, the study demonstrates that secular governance frameworks rooted in Agency Theory fail to address the internal moral compass of supply chain agents. By synthesizing Al-Faruqi's Tawhidic paradigm with Al-Attas's philosophy of Adab, we develop a five-layer Tawhidic Integrity Framework that translates Islamic ethical constructs into operational governance mechanisms. The research contributes three theoretical innovations: first, the concept of Spiritual Agency Costs as an extension of classical agency theory; second, Digital Shahada as a socio-technical construct wherein blockchain effectiveness is moderated by human Taqwa; third, testable propositions correlating epistemological rupture severity with fraud incidence. This framework advances halal governance from compliance-based surveillance to consciousness-based stewardship, bridging Islamic civilization scholarship with contemporary supply chain management theory while offering actionable intervention strategies for practitioners and regulators.

Harnessing Halal Industries for Sustainable Youth Empowerment in the Sokoto Caliphate

Tambari Abbas Bashar — 2026-06-30

The Sokoto Caliphate, established by Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo in 1805, was a Muslim state that promoted Islamic values and sought to eradicate social inequalities through a rigorous application of justice and scholarship. Beyond its political boundaries, the Caliphate’s legacy continues to profoundly influence contemporary West African societies, providing a framework for ethical leadership and community development. Central to the Shehu’s reformist vision was the intellectual and moral elevation of the youth. Youth empowerment, a key aspect of Islamic teachings, involves creating structured opportunities for young people to acquire diverse skills, cultivate critical thinking, and make informed decisions rooted in ethical responsibility. In the context of the modern economy, the revitalization of Halal industries—encompassing entrepreneurship, ethical finance, and transparent trade—offers a sustainable pathway toward socio-economic stability. By integrating these values, the region can effectively address systemic challenges such as poverty eradication, job creation, and the reduction of crime through constructive engagement. The Shehu’s specific methods of teaching and his comprehensive curriculum emphasized a return to primary Shari’ah sources and the Sunnah, while actively erasing harmful innovations (bid’ah) that hindered social progress. This pedagogical approach was not merely theoretical; it was a practical tool for social engineering. By focusing on literacy, vocational competence, and spiritual discipline, his educational model remains a potent blueprint for modern youth empowerment. Ultimately, the Caliphate’s historical precedents serve as a vital model for promoting good governance, fostering communal harmony, and improving the general living standards of the populace in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Halal And Gendered Sacred Authority: Female Islamic Clerics In Yorubaland And Beyond

Najmud-deen Akinjide Akintola — 2026-06-30

The presence of female Islamic clerics in Yorubaland represents a significant shift in the religious landscape of Southwestern Nigeria, emerging despite entrenched cultural resistance and the historical dominance of masculine clerical authority. While Islam has historically provided precedents for female religious leadership—most notably through Aisha bint Abi Bakr, whose scholarly contributions to Hadith remain foundational to Islamic jurisprudence—the clerical roles within the Yoruba Muslim community were long perceived as exclusively male domains. This study undertakes a comprehensive historical survey of Islamic clerical leadership in the region, tracing the evolution from rigid masculinization to a more gender-sensitive framework that gained momentum in the 1990s. This transition was catalyzed by shifting socio-cultural realities and the influence of global advocacy for gender inclusion, such as the 1995 Beijing Declaration. By examining the attitudes of clerical selectors, the broader Muslim Ummah, and general society, the research analyzes the diverse patterns of acceptance and the complex negotiation of religious authority. Methodologically, the study explores the behavioral responses of the community toward these women, highlighting how they navigate traditional expectations while asserting their scholarly expertise. The findings reveal that female Islamic clerics and honorary titleholders are not merely symbolic figures; they exercise significant entrepreneurial agency within religious spaces. Through the establishment of madrasas, counseling services, and media engagement, these women are redefining the boundaries of religious leadership. Ultimately, the study underscores that the rise of female clerics in Yorubaland is a dynamic synthesis of Islamic tradition and contemporary social change, challenging the monopoly of male authority in the African Islamic context.

Halal & Hygienic Food Safety: A Comparative Review of Modern Food Science and Islamic Principles

Dr. Muhammad Tahir Akbar — 2025-06-30

In the present era, food safety and the provision of disease-free food have become a major challenge globally. According to reports from the World Health Organization, bad food causes illness and death of millions of people annually. The concept of “halal and tayyāb” presented by Islamic Sharia is not just a religious obligation but a complete and comprehensive system of health principles. This paper presents a scientific analysis of halal slaughter, Concept of “Jalāla” and Islamic principles of purity protect meat from microbiological contamination. The main focus of the research is how halal methods lead to an increase in the biological safety, taste and shelf-life of meat compared to traditional methods. This study attempts to answer the following three basic questions: 1. To what extent does rapid and complete bleeding during halal slaughter contribute to the prevention of pathogen growth and biochemical stability of meat? 2. What are the scientific similarities between the World Health Organization's "safe food" parameters and the Islamic concept of "tayyāb", especially with regard to obtaining meat free of antibiotics and growth hormones? 3. Does the monitoring under halal certification play any role in reducing the rate of dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella in meat? A comparative method and an analytical method have been adopted in this study. The study closely compared the bacterial load and pH levels in halal and non-halal meat samples using modern laboratory testing methods, such as DNA testing (for adulteration) and proteomics. In addition, it presents a comparative study of Islamic principles of cleanliness in the context of Sharia objectives with modern scientific protocols and HACCP standards. This research proves that the principles of halal and tayyāb are a shield against bacterial contamination. The removal of blood through halal slaughter weakens the bacterial attack during refrigeration, while the avoidance of jalāla and chemical-contaminated food protects human cells from toxic effects. This combination of medical science and Islamic jurisprudence leads us to a lifestyle where food not only fulfills the body's needs but also becomes the greatest means of preventing diseases.

Digital Halal: Regulating Media and AI under Shariah

Usman Mughees Qazi — 2025-06-30

As the global Halal economy continues to undergo a headlong digitalization process, the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry has turned into a multi-billion-dollar sector boasting a serious regulatory vacuum. Although the market demand for Shariah-compliant digital content is growing, the current systems of Halal certification are still largely tied to the science of the syringe and adherence to dietary principles, and digital products like games, streaming content, and AI-generated content end up in the phase of governance lag. This study explores the conceptual loophole between the spread of technology and moral regulation and suggests that the Halal digital economy should have a dedicated model of governance. The research singles out three main issues, namely, no standardized halal by design metadata of digital content, the black box ethicalness of Shariah-compliant streaming algorithms, and the socio-religious effect of Halal gaming on youth populations. This paper presents an argument that the rigid binary (Halal/Haram) labeling cannot be applicable to the dynamic digital media because of a qualitative analysis of existing digital fatwas and other emerging regulatory efforts in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Rather, it proposes an AI-driven traceability and real-time content auditing framework based on a Maqasid al-Shariah-driven framework. This research will offer a guideline on which policymakers can rely to achieve the stability of religious integrity without creating a vacuum of creative innovation by closing the divide between technical engineering and Islamic jurisprudence. The results make a critical contribution to the field that is still under-researched in describing the intersection of digital theology and governance of the creative economy.

Green Halal: Ethical and Sustainable Farming in Russia

Taha Javed — 2025-06-30

This article examines the critical intersection of sustainability and halal ethics within Russia's rapidly growing meat and poultry sector, a region increasingly important for both domestic consumption and global export. Despite growing consumer confidence in halal as a sign of quality, a research gap exists regarding the specific mechanisms and challenges of integrating religiously-informed ethical mandates with contemporary environmental and social responsibility goals. Adopting a qualitative, descriptive research design, this study explores how halal principles influence production practices, animal welfare standards, supply-chain transparency, and broader sustainability efforts. Drawing on thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders including producers, religious authorities, regulators (e.g., Roskachestvo), and consumer advocates—this paper identifies key tensions and synergies between the two frameworks. Key findings indicate that while halal certification inherently promotes certain aspects of ethical practice (e.g., animal welfare at slaughter, hygiene), challenges remain in standardizing these principles across the entire supply chain and aligning them with broader environmental metrics (e.g., carbon emissions, waste reduction). The study highlights specific areas where a lack of standardized certification procedures and potential "haram washing" can lead to consumer distrust. It concludes with policy recommendations and practical strategies to better align halal certification with environmental stewardship, enhanced animal welfare, and long-term market competitiveness in the Russian context.