Glossary
Halal
Please see definition under FAQS – General.
Haram
Please see definition under FAQS – General.
Mushbooh
Mushbooh is an Arabic term meaning doubtful. If one does not know the Halal or Haram status of a particular food or drink, such a food or drink is doubtful. A practicing Muslim avoids consuming doubtful things.
Fatwa or Opinion
Fatwa is an Islamic opinion about the legal status of a certain case. In the Halal certification process, fatwa is defined by determining the Halal or Haram status of products based on the auditing process performed within the guidelines by an appropriately qualified organisation (such as Halal USA).
Halal Certification
Halal Certification is a process taken to determine and verify the Halal status of a product. The steps involve ascertaining that materials and the production processes (including handling, delivering etc) are complying with Islamic dietary concepts. A Halal Quality Assurance and Management System is usually required to be put in place to ensure the integrity of the certification process.
Halal Certificate
A Halal Certificate is a written fatwa issued by an appropriately qualified organisation to identify the Halal status of a product as well the processes based on objective evidence obtained from the auditing process.
Auditing
Auditing is an independent, systematic and functional observation to determine the conventionality of an activity and its output within the scope of a planned objective.
Halal Auditor
A Halal Auditor is a person assigned by Halal USA through a careful selection process examining his/her competency, quality and integrity towards conducting Halal audits. Auditors are representative of Ulama and professionally qualified personnel such as food technologist and/or veterinary scientist and are responsible for investigating the Halal status of a product, ingredients or production process of the company in concern.
Halal Quality Management System (HQMS)
A systematic process constituting an important step in the Halal Certification process. The purpose of the HQMS is to control and monitor operations of a company to minimize any potential risks to the integrity of Halal certification.
HQAMS Audit
HQMS audit is an audit on Halal Quality Assurance and Management System implementation of a Halal certified company.
Product Audit
Product audit is an audit on the product by observing production processes, facilities and materials used.
Audit Evaluation
Audit evaluation is an assessment process of audit findings through the mechanism of auditing requirements.
Internal Halal Auditor
Internal Halal Auditor is a staff member officially appointed by the company management to coordinate implementation of the HQMS.
Halal Expert
Halal Expert is an independent service provider to the company concerned as may be nominated by Halal USA to provide all technical assistance relevant to HQMS program development and its implementation.
