Imagine you are a Muslim tourist in Busan or other Muslim minority cities. You are hungry, but there is no halal-certified restaurant nearby. A restaurant displays a sign stating “no pork, no lard.” Is it permissible to eat there? Is that claim sufficient as a halal guarantee?

This is a question faced daily by millions of Muslim travelers around the world. The global halal industry is growing rapidly. Muslim consumer spending on halal food exceeded USD 1.4 trillion in 2023. Yet paradoxically, the more options available, the more confusing their status becomes. Claims such as “Muslim-friendly,” “halal-certified,” and “no alcohol” are increasingly common without uniform standards.

In response, the leading Muslim travel rating agency CrescentRating introduced the CrescentRating Halal Dining Assurance system, a scale from 0 to 10 that measures how confident a Muslim consumer can be about a restaurant’s halal status. The system does not claim to replace official halal certification. It positions itself as a navigation tool in a world full of uncertainty.

This article invites readers to understand CHDA not only from a practical perspective but also from the roots of Islamic law. The key question is whether this confidence-based approach aligns with fiqh principles, where its limits lie, and how Muslims should approach a system like this.

Why Is Global Halal Standards So Complex

We should know that there is no single universal standard exists. One fact that often surprises newcomers is that there is no single international halal body universally recognized. Every country and even every community has its own authority. Indonesia has Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH) working with MUI. Malaysia has Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). The United States has many private certification bodies with varying standards. Europe, Japan, and South Korea have limited halal certification infrastructure. As a result, a halal certificate from one country is not automatically recognized in another. 

Restaurants are more complex than packaged products. Unlike packaged food where ingredients are listed clearly, a restaurant is a dynamic ecosystem. Supply chains may change, raw materials may come from different suppliers, chefs may rotate, and kitchen equipment is often shared. Even a restaurant that genuinely intends to serve halal food may unknowingly use broth containing alcohol or fry food using oil previously used for non-halal items.

This is why a binary halal assessment is often insufficient. CHDA emerges to address this gap by offering a more nuanced spectrum.

What is CHDA

CHDA is CrescentRating’s restaurant assessment system based on a 0 to 10 scale. A higher number indicates that more halal aspects have been verified. The system does not issue halal certification. Instead, it provides structured information about the level of halal assurance, enabling Muslim consumers to make informed decisions.

Three Fiqh Concepts Every Muslim Should Know

Before evaluating CHDA from an Islamic perspective, three foundational fiqh concepts must be understood. These concepts explain how Islamic law deals with uncertainty.

1. Yaqīn as absolute certainty

Yaqīn literally means certainty. In fiqh, it describes a condition where the legal status of something is known without doubt. Scholars established the maxim that certainty is not removed by doubt.

In the context of food, yaqīn is achieved when all aspects of halal compliance are verified, including ingredients, slaughtering methods, absence of contamination, and supervision by a competent authority. This is the level achieved through formal halal certification.

2. Ẓann as well-grounded presumption

Ẓann refers to assumption or presumption. In fiqh, a strong presumption supported by evidence can be used as a legal basis in certain situations, especially when absolute certainty is not attainable.

For example, a restaurant operated by observant Muslims using apparently halal ingredients and recommended by the local Muslim community may fall under strong presumption even without formal certification.

3. Syubhat as the doubtful zone

Syubhat describes a situation where the legal status cannot be clearly determined due to insufficient information. The Prophet Muhammad said

“Verily, the halal is clear and the haram is clear, and between them are doubtful matters not known to most people. Whoever avoids the doubtful matters has protected his religion and honor. Whoever falls into doubtful matters is like a shepherd who grazes his flock near a forbidden area and may eventually enter it” (Narrated by Bukhari no. 52 and Muslim no. 1599).

This hadith illustrates the importance of avoiding doubtful matters in order to safeguard one’s faith.

Mapping CHDA onto the Fiqh Framework

The CHDA scale can be mapped onto fiqh categories to better understand its position

This mapping shows that CHDA reflects a spectrum similar to fiqh epistemology, ranging from certainty to doubt. However, it remains a tool of assessment rather than a source of legal ruling.

Two Fiqh Principles in Balance

1. Ihtiyāṭ as precaution

Ihtiyāṭ refers to taking precaution when facing uncertainty. A well-known legal maxim states that preventing harm takes precedence over obtaining benefit.

Scholars such as Imam al-Nawawi explain that avoiding doubtful matters is a form of protecting one’s faith. Therefore, food within doubtful CHDA categories should generally be avoided unless necessary.

2. Taysīr as facilitation

Islamic law also recognizes taysīr (ease). Allah says in the Qur’an

“Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 185)

This principle allows flexibility in situations of hardship. For example, a Muslim in a place with no halal-certified restaurants may rely on limited options within reasonable judgment.

Three Potential Problems with CHDA from a Fiqh Perspective

The first issue is that confidence does not equal legal ruling. CHDA measures consumer confidence, while fiqh establishes legal judgments based on methodology.

The second issue is the risk of over-reliance. Muslims still carry personal responsibility in ensuring their food is halal. This responsibility cannot be transferred entirely to a rating system.

The third issue is the potential normalization of doubtful categories. Lower-rated establishments may still be perceived as acceptable simply because they are included in the system.

Position of CHDA in the Halal Ecosystem

Within the broader halal ecosystem, CHDA can be understood as a supporting tool. It complements, but does not replace scholarly rulings or official certification. Its primary function is to provide structured information that assists consumers in making informed decisions.

Conclusion

CHDA represents an important innovation in addressing the complexity of halal dining in a global context. It provides a structured way for Muslims to navigate uncertainty.

From a fiqh perspective, CHDA does not contradict Islamic principles as long as it is understood correctly. It should be used as a guide, not as a definitive ruling.

Ultimately, responsibility remains with the individual. A Muslim must balance caution and necessity while remaining aware that consumption affects not only the body but also the heart and spiritual life, as emphasized by Imam al-Ghazali.

References

Bahardeen, F. (2025). Clarity over claims: How CHDA’s 0–10 grade enables industry stakeholders in halal dining. CrescentRating.

DinarStandard. (2023). State of the global Islamic economy report 2023. DinarStandard.

Fauziyah, N., & Riyadi, S. (2024). Halal food awareness and halal certification on halal food purchasing decisions. Jurnal Asas, 16(2).

Al-Ghazali, A. H. (t.t.). Ihya’ ‘ulum al-din. Dar al-Ma’rifah.

Al-Nawawi, Y. (t.t.). Al-arba’in al-nawawiyyah. Dar al-Minhaj.

Prabowo, S., et al. (2022). Investigating the methods of restaurant rating to develop halal compliance rating (HCR) tool. Journal of Islamic Economic and Business Research.

Sulaiman, N., et al. (2023). The role of halal certification in enhancing competitiveness and social

– Written by Naflah –