Is McDonald’s Halal or Not?

Is Mcdonald’s Halal or not? That is an important question for millions of Muslims who have access to Mcdonald’s. The answer to this question may vary from country to country or even from outlet to outlet. So, the best option for Muslims is to confirm with the restaurant when they plan to eat there.

Related: Do You Want To Use Halal Vitamins To Control Your Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar?

Countries Where McDonald’s Could Be Halal

No McDonald’s food in the UK is Halal. On the McDonald’s UK website, the company clearly states they do not have any plans to offer Halal food on their menu in the UK.

A spokesperson for the fast-food giant has revealed why UK McDonald’s does not offer halal food.

They said: “We have conducted a Halal trial in a restaurant in Southall.

“We learned that Halal-certified food is popular with only a very small percentage of our customers, and to offer it in all our restaurants would require significant changes to our kitchen procedures and supply chain.

“As a result, we decided against offering Halal food in the U.K. for the time being.”

Other countries have their own rules and laws regarding the ways animals can be slaughtered, butchered, served, and monitored. So, is the Mcdonald’s food in your country Halal or Haram? You need to ask your local Halal certification organizations to get a proper answer.

A basic principle in Islam is that everything is Halal in daily life until it is proven to be haram.

According to the wife of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) any time there was a choice in a matter, our Prophet (pbuh) always took the easier way. And he did not want to make our deen (way of life in Islam) difficult.

There are some very important basic principles to keep in mind when we talk about our daily lives and what is forbidden (haram) and what is permissible (halal). First, the principle in Islam is not to make things difficult and to take the middle path.

So, as far as the question  of the permissibility of Mcdonald’s for Muslims is concerned the answer is – ‘YES’ and ‘NO’

Related: Eco-Halal: How Food Brands Can Market to Muslims

Is McDonald’s Halal in Muslim-Majority Countries?

What if the restaurant is located in a Muslim country where the Halal restrictions are in place, or if it is owned by righteous Muslims who claim they follow the rules of thabihah (halal slaughter and processing), is it halal?

Yes, in that case, it is halal for you, inshallah.

For the record, there are many places in non-Muslim countries, even in the U.S. and Canada – where you can eat at a McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or other famous fast-food chains, and enjoy a perfectly Halal meal – Really!

Related: Indian Halal Meat Rule Change To Impact Local Muslims Economically

What if it is not located in a Muslim-majority country, but is owned by responsible Muslims?

– Absolutely yes. If Muslims tell you they are offering you Halal meat, you should not even question it. This is confirmed by the sunnah of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him).

There is another related question that we need to discuss here. A lot of people would argue that their potato chips are Halal if not meat-related items. Unfortunately, even the potato chips are fried in Haram oil. In the same way, fish filets should also be not considered Halal for similar reasons.

McDonald’s in Malaysia offers Halal food in many of its restaurants if not all.  But, as said earlier, you may be able to get the best answer to the question of whether Mcdonald’s is Halal in your country by asking your local Imam or confirming it with the restaurant staff directly. If yes, just ask them the proof of Halal certification.

So, generally speaking, McDonald’s is not Halal unless specifically mentioned by the company.  To confirm whether any of their foods were Halal in your vicinity you may want to confirm it firsthand before consuming any of their food items except, of course, tea, juices, and, maybe ice cream as well