Is haggis halal?

What's in haggis?

Scotland's national dish is a savory pudding of sheep's "pluck" (heart, liver and lungs), minced and mixed with oatmeal, onion, suet, salt and spices. Traditionally it's cooked in a sheep's stomach, but most modern haggis uses an artificial casing. It's served with "neeps and tatties" (turnip and potatoes), especially on Burns Night in January.

Are the ingredients halal?

Yes, in principle. Sheep is a halal animal, and its organs and fat are halal when it's slaughtered properly. There is no pork in traditional haggis, and no blood in the mix (unlike black pudding). What Islam forbids is listed clearly:

Meat from an animal not slaughtered the Islamic way counts as "dead" in this sense, according to most scholars.

So what's the problem with regular haggis?

• The slaughter: standard haggis comes from non-halal abattoirs. See How is halal meat slaughtered?
• The suet: usually beef fat, also non-halal unless certified.
• Extras: some recipes or sauces served with haggis use whisky.

A small minority of scholars allow meat from Christian or Jewish slaughter under Quran 5:5, but most say this doesn't cover modern Western abattoirs. See Is supermarket meat halal?

Halal and vegetarian options

Some halal butchers in Scotland make halal haggis, especially around Burns Night, so it's worth asking at yours. Vegetarian and vegan haggis, made with lentils, beans, oats and vegetables, is sold in most UK supermarkets and is halal as long as there's no alcohol in it. If you're making it at home, use halal lamb offal from a halal butcher and vegetable suet.

Burns Night suppers often include a whisky toast. You can enjoy the meal with a soft drink. See Can I go to a bar with friends if I only drink soda?