Best Ways To Find Muslim Markets In London

What Does It Mean By Muslim Markets?

Muslim market refers to the markets where there will be strictly Halal food stored and provided for their Muslim consumers. Muslim people maintain a strict diet following the Shariah laws. Which is why businesses are extra careful with the labels.

Countries which have a large Muslim population are the Muslim-dominant countries that have a diverse range of Muslim markets. They sell halal meat, fish, vegetables and fruits, processed halal food, halal snacks etc. They will be prepared following Halal steps and packaged that way as well.

Asia has a number of Muslim countries. Easier for Muslim people to get their hands on Halal foods, unlike countries where there are not enough Muslim people, making it difficult for them to find so. This article would help you to try and find Muslim markets in London. Which is the capital of the United Kingdom.

Further Into Muslim Markets

When Muslim people build a market for Muslim consumers abiding by the Shariah Law, is known as a Muslim market. Islam encourages people of the faith to consume Halal food and discourages the latter, which is known as Haram. Muslim people strongly follow this dietary system around the world. The reason Muslim markets sell Halal food.

Although Muslim markets especially cater to the Muslim population, people of various faiths can also stroll in here as Halal foods are allowed and safe for people of all colours, religions, cultures and backgrounds.

What Type Of Meat Can Muslim People Consume Or The Proper Slaughter Method?

Most herbivores or cud-chewing animals such as cattle, deer, sheep, goat, and antelope slaughtered by following Shariah Law are assumed Halal to consume. In Islam, what is known as Dhabihah is a form where Halal animals are slaughtered.

Dhabihah is a method where it involves making a quick, deep incision to the throat of the animal with a distinctly sharp knife. Leaving the spinal cord intact but cutting the windpipe, jugular veins, and carotid arteries from both sides. It is also said that the carcass should be hung upside down to drain all the blood from its body.

Animals which are going to be slaughtered should be done so as painlessly as possible while reciting the Bismillah and Takbir. The butcher has to call upon the name Allah for the animals. The meat would be deemed Haram if the animal is tortured while being slaughtered.

This is the reason animals being electrocuted or boiled is not considered Halal and is said to be Haram and avoided. Animals that are beaten to death and strangled also fall into this category. Keep in mind that animals that die by themselves; known as carrion, consuming them is also considered Haram. For it is in the Quran,

“Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked, and the strangled (animal) and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter”

What Type Of Fish Can Muslim People Consume?

According to our prophet (PBUH), It is Halal to eat dead creatures from the sea along with dead fish. It is also said that all parts of the fish are permissible to eat.

Before we start on the matter of fish, people have to keep in mind that there are many schools in Islam suggesting varying opinions on the matter. Although the Quran permits fish and other sea creatures to be consumed in general, the schools have differing ideas.

For example, the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence has forbidden the consumption of seafood other than the true “fish”, and considers other sea creatures, like crustaceans, to be Makruh.

However, some Hanafi scholars are showing disagreements with the fact that prawns and shrimp are considered true “fish” or not. Others are settled with the crocodile, crab, lobster, or any mollusc that is forbidden to consume.

Shia hadith says that eels, or technically any fish without scales, are considered Haram. But they allow fish that do have scales to be consumed. Maliki school, on the other hand, is settled with how all fish and sea creatures, including seahorses, lobsters and crabs, are permitted to be consumed.

Lastly, for the Shafi school, every sort of fish especially puffer fish and rockfish is discouraged to consume. Hermit crabs, crocodiles, and sea snakes are also said to be prohibited. On the other hand, crustaceans that do not reside on land, for example, soft-shell crabs and lobsters, are allowed to be consumed.

Some Animals And Food That Are Prohibited Or Haram In Islam

Below are some of the foods that are prohibited to be consumed in Islam. Keep in mind. Islam is strictly into keeping you in good health and believes in your well-being. There are definitely reasons and Quran even has examples for some of them being prohibited and why.

Alcohol and Alcoholic Drinks – In Arabic, known as Khamr; which means intoxicant is strongly forbidden and discouraged from intake. As it causes a sleep-inducing state and makes you dizzy. Not to mention its health-deteriorating properties.
Blood – You are to stay away from consuming blood. Blood of slaughtered animals and meal products made by so.
Pork – Pork is strictly prohibited in Islam. Considered to be a dirty animal it is labelled Haram. Any products made of pork are forbidden to be consumed.
Carrion – Animals that die by itself is prohibited from being consumed.
Animals Dedicated To Anyone Other Than Our God – Animals cannot be slaughtered in the name of anybody or anything other than Allah. For they are his creation, and we do not own their life.
Horses, Mules and Donkeys – Although both in Sunni and Shia consuming mules is prohibited, consuming horses is considered to be consumed according to Sunnis. Shias are against Horse meat consumption. Where Donkey meat is prohibited from a hadith.
Animals that have Fangs – Predator animals such as Dogs, Cats, Wolves, Tigers, Lions and Bears which have fangs are Haram and cannot be consumed.
Birds of Prey – Birds that have talons; for example, owls, eagles and hawks are Haram and are prohibited from consuming.
Other Haram Animals – Other haram animals include Snakes, Scorpions, Mice, and Crows which are known as vermins. Monkeys and Apes are also prohibited.

These are some of the examples given for people wondering about what sort of food can one find from Muslim markets and what would be avoided.

How To Find Muslim Markets In London?

Finding Muslim Markets in London shouldn’t be a tough task as the United Kingdom holds a large number of Muslims. Muslim markets might be much easier to spot than other Western countries. Which is why rest assured you will find one pretty soon. Below are some ways you can find a suitable Muslim market in London:

Doing Research Online And Google Maps –

You can use online search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing to try to find a suitable Muslim market through the options it provides you with. Generally, you can find them because of your algorithm. Google Maps on the other hand is very beneficial when it comes to searching for locations. It would even show you ways and directions to reach the spot.

Consult With The Muslim Communities Around –

You can go ahead and consult with the Muslim communities of your area. They have loads of information on the areas and might help you find a Muslim market nearby or help you locate one in general.

Use Social Media Platforms –

Social media platforms are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Reddit. They have a variety of people using it, connecting and making a network. You can enquire about Muslim markets to your Muslim friends from social media if they know any of them in London. Use hashtags and direct messages to find a suitable result.

Go To Local Mosques –

Mosques have people gathering from all parts of the area and beyond. There is a strong chance if you ask them about Muslim markets, they will help you find one according to your desire.

Local Markets Around The Area-

You can try and find out if your local markets sell Halal products. Most of the traditional markets might sell Halal products due to London being a popular spot for the Muslim population to reside.

Ask People Close To You –

People who are close to you such as your family, friends, relatives, neighbours and even colleagues might know where Muslim markets near your area especially in London are. You should ask them on the topic.

Statistics On Muslim Markets

European countries have been deliberately attempting to establish proper Muslim markets. In the United Kingdom and many other countries, although there are not many well-established Muslim markets but, restaurants that serve Halal meats have been recorded.

The street market mapping tool has mapped about 280 markets throughout London, taken from London Gov UK. The official number on Muslim markets hasn’t been given in any data yet.