Sikhs In Gulf Countries Ask Akal Takht To Clarify Stand On Halal Meat

[BritishSingh]

Sikhs are not allowed to eat meat period. Rehat Maryada may say not to eat Kutha or meat killed in a ritualistic way (halal or kosher), BUT IT DOESN'T SAY GO AND KILL AN ANIMAL IN A JHATKA WAY (where in the Maryada is the word Jhatka written?). Meat is only permitted in the extreme circumstance where there is no other food source available. One does not have the time to kill in a ritualistic way when they are starving. This issue should not affect Sikhs.

jeea badhahu su dharam kar thaapahu adharam kehahu kath bhaaee |

You kill living beings, and call it a righteous action. Tell me, brother, what would you call an unrighteous action?

aapas ko munivar kar thaapahu kaa ko kehahu kasaaee |2|

You call yourself the most excellent sage; then who would you call a butcher? ||2|| (Bhagat Kabeer Ji, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji ang 1103)

[luckysingh99]

The problem is that people don't seem to understand the full extent of what jhatka really means.

- If you do the jhatka yourself or it is done in your presence by oher person,then that = Jhatka

However, If you go to shop or store and purchase meat that is already prepared/packed from elsewhere, then that can NEVER be Jhatka,even if it is claimed to be Non-halal.

This is my understanding,mabe a nihang can clarify or correct me !

[Mahakaal96]

All the historical Sikh texts such as Sri Gur Sobha by Kavi Saina Singh (1741), Gur Rattan Mala by Sahib Singh (1734), Gurbilas by Kuir Singh (1751), Bansavlinama by Kesar Singh (1769), Mehima Prakash by Saroop Singh (1776), Guru Kian Sakhian by Saroop Singh Kaushish (1790), Shaheed Bilas by Seva Singh (1803), Singh Sagar by Bir Singh Bal (1827), Sri Guru Pracheen Panth Prakash by Rattan Singh Bhangu (1841), Sri Gurpratap Suraj Prakash by Kavi Santokh Singh (1843), Gurmat Nirannya by Pandit Tara Singh Narotam (1877), and Naveen Panth Prakash by Giani Gian Singh (1878), as well as the puratan rehit namas all have references to jhatka being accepted within the Sikh code of conduct (Rehit Maryada), or the clear ban on eating flesh that has been killed according to the Muslim ritual of Halal, also known as Kutha within the Sikh community.

[BritishSingh]

All the historical Sikh texts such as Sri Gur Sobha by Kavi Saina Singh (1741), Gur Rattan Mala by Sahib Singh (1734), Gurbilas by Kuir Singh (1751), Bansavlinama by Kesar Singh (1769), Mehima Prakash by Saroop Singh (1776), Guru Kian Sakhian by Saroop Singh Kaushish (1790), Shaheed Bilas by Seva Singh (1803), Singh Sagar by Bir Singh Bal (1827), Sri Guru Pracheen Panth Prakash by Rattan Singh Bhangu (1841), Sri Gurpratap Suraj Prakash by Kavi Santokh Singh (1843), Gurmat Nirannya by Pandit Tara Singh Narotam (1877), and Naveen Panth Prakash by Giani Gian Singh (1878), as well as the puratan rehit namas all have references to jhatka being accepted within the Sikh code of conduct (Rehit Maryada), or the clear ban on eating flesh that has been killed according to the Muslim ritual of Halal, also known as Kutha within the Sikh community.

I am unsure where they got the idea that jhatka meat is ok because Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji does not authorise the consumption of meat (jhatka or halal). The only time meat would be allowed is when there is no other food source available, therefore the consumption of meat would be to save a life and not for the pleasure of the tongue. People read individual lines of Gurbani and come up with the wrong conclusion. The whole sabad must be understood.

[Cisco_Singh]

Meat topics are not allowed on forum so expect this thread to be locked by mods soon,,,Akal Takht has already cleared this issue...There is a Hukamnama issued clearly stating that Jhatka meat is permitted see below:

Final Ruling from Akal Takht

The Akal Takht represents the final authority on controversial issues concerning the Sikh Panth, in this regard the issue of meat eating has been settled. Hukamnama issued by Akal Takht Jathedar Sandhu Singh Bhaura dated February 15th 1980 that Amritdhari Sikhs can eat meat as long as it is jhatka meat and that eating meat does not go against the code of conduct, Kurehit, of the Sikhs. Thus a Sikh cannot be excommunicated for eating meat.

[Rayjay]

<banned word filter activated>????? Are these guys for real? I can understand why meat might need clarification but Halal??? Thats precisely what Guru nanak stated, "halal mean is forbiden". For GOD SAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are non western Sikhs just plain thick or is it something in the water??

[Cisco_Singh]

<banned word filter activated>????? Are these guys for real? I can understand why meat might need clarification but Halal??? Thats precisely what Guru nanak stated, "halal mean is forbiden". For GOD SAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are non western Sikhs just plain thick or is it something in the water??

agree these guys are clowns for even asking the question...halal is specifically denounced and forbidden..theres no argument or point of discussion here.. If you cant Jhaktka your own meat or verify that it is real jhatka then dont eat meat go vegiterian..pretty simple really...

[SikhKosh]

What food is forbidden in Bani?

ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰੁ ਖਾਣਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥੧॥

O Baba, the pleasures of other foods are false. Eating them, the body is ruined, and wickedness and corruption enter into the mind.

Meat debate & Spirituality

ਮਾਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਝਗੜੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਕਉਣੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਉਣੁ ਸਾਗੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਸਮਾਣੇ ॥

The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom. What is called meat, and what is called green vegetables? What leads to sin?

Gurbani on Halal

ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀਅ ਜੁ ਮਾਰਹਿ ਜੋਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਕਹਤੇ ਹਹਿ ਜੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ॥ ਦਫਤਰੁ ਦਈ ਜਬ ਕਾਢਿ ਹੈ ਹੋਇਗਾ ਕਉਨੁ ਹਵਾਲੁ ॥੧੯੯॥

Kabeer, they oppress living beings and kill them, and call it Halal (justified for Allah). When the Lord calls for their account, what will their condition be?