Halal

“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully.” Psalm 24:3-4, NAS.

“Halal” is the designation given to food that is clean and acceptable for a good Muslim to eat. The idea of “halal” is also used within the Muslim business community regarding personal or business debts.

Donald* is a Muslim businessman in his early forties that I met on one of my trips in Southeast Asia. As we sipped hot tea, a man came to our table. He looked distressed. He talked with Donald in the local language. The exchange was too quick for me to follow. The man left abruptly.

Donald seemed embarrassed. He explained that the man was a former business associate who owed him a great deal of money. The man had begged Donald to forgive him for the debt, which ran into thousands of dollars. In response to the man’s plea Donald pronounced “halal” to the man.

I knew what “halal” meant for food, but asked Donald to explain what it meant in his situation with his former associate. Donald said, “When you say “halal” to a person regarding a debt, it is a promise that you will never bring it up again.”

“So you forgave him?” I asked.

“No, if he can pay the debt he should,” said Donald. “I just told him that he has to be clean before God, and I will not bother him for the debt.”

In essence, Donald turned the man over to the judgment of God regarding the debt. No wonder the man seemed so wracked with guilt and shame. Forgiveness is a very difficult concept for many Muslims. Come to think of it, it is not very easy for us Christians either.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Donald will come to realize that he too owes a debt he cannot pay.

Donald’s people will come to understand the forgiveness of God found in Jesus.

Salvation will come to Donald and his entire family.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.