Not just “halal” — who verified it, on what evidence, and how current it is.
Zabify is a verification and provenance directory for halal restaurants. Every listing shows the basis for its status so you can judge it yourself. Zabify records evidence; it does not issue religious rulings.
Every status traces back to something you can inspect
- 1Restaurant
The place you're looking at, with a stable listing.
- 2Verification
A dated record of the restaurant's status: third-party certification, Zabify Reviewed, or evidence-based.
- 3Certifier
Who stands behind it — an external body or Zabify's own review program.
- 4Supplier / distributor
Where the meat comes from, when the restaurant discloses it and Zabify has verified the supplier.
- 5Evidence
Certificates, invoices, receipts, distributor documents, photos and statements — originals are preserved.
- 6Review
A named Zabify reviewer accepts or rejects each piece of evidence, with reasons.
- 7Expiration / renewal
Every Zabify verification has a renewal date; expiry is shown plainly and history is kept.
- 8Public status
What you see on the restaurant page: the headline, the basis, the dates.
Clear distinctions, no vague green badges
- Certified by <certifier>
A recognised third-party certifier (for example HFSAA, HMS, HMA, HMC, SANHA or NIHT) certifies the restaurant. Zabify records the certifier, links to it, and re-checks the certifier's public directory automatically. Where the certifier's expiry date is known, it is shown.
Basis: Certifier directory listing and/or a certificate on file.
- Zabify Reviewed
Zabify's own review program. A named Zabify reviewer examined the restaurant's sourcing evidence and a verified supplier relationship, then issued the status for a fixed period. It is Zabify's assessment of evidence, not a religious ruling and not equivalent to third-party certification.
Basis: Accepted evidence (typically supplier invoices + supplier details) reviewed on a recorded date.
- Zabify Verified — evidence current
For restaurants without an accepted ongoing third-party certification. The owner submits current halal purchase evidence on a recurring schedule (for example every 30 or 60 days) and a Zabify reviewer accepts or rejects it. The renewal date is always shown.
Basis: Recently accepted purchase evidence such as supplier invoices, receipts or distributor documents.
- Verification expired — evidence renewal required
The restaurant's Zabify verification passed its renewal date and Zabify has not received current evidence. This is a statement about Zabify's evidence, not about the food: it does not mean anything changed at the restaurant.
Basis: The previous evidence is shown in the history; nothing is deleted.
- Not re-confirmed by source
Zabify could not re-confirm a third-party certification with the certifier's public directory, and a human reviewer accepted that finding. Check with the certifier or restaurant for details.
Basis: Certifier directory monitoring plus a human review decision.
- Verification revoked
A verification was explicitly revoked by a Zabify reviewer or the certifier. Any public note attached to the revocation is displayed.
Basis: A recorded revocation with actor and date.
- Self-declared — not verified
The restaurant states it is halal but Zabify has not received or reviewed evidence.
Basis: None yet.
Recurring evidence for restaurants without ongoing third-party certification
A restaurant that is not certified by a recognised body can still be listed with a Zabify verification, but the verification is only as current as its evidence. The owner claims the listing, links their suppliers, and uploads current halal purchase evidence. A Zabify reviewer checks it. If accepted, the verification is renewed for the configured period; when that period ends without new accepted evidence, the public status changes to verification expired — evidence renewal required.
Renewal intervals are configured per program rather than fixed globally:
- Evidence renewal — every 30 daysRenew every 30 days · 7-day grace periodRequires: supplier invoice
- Evidence renewal — every 60 daysRenew every 60 days · 10-day grace periodRequires: supplier invoice
Accepted evidence types: halal certificate, supplier invoice, purchase receipt, distributor documentation, supplier / distributor details, photo, written statement, supporting document, other. Evidence is private by default; only what a reviewer explicitly marks public is shown on the restaurant page.
Zabify’s own review — distinct from third-party certification
What it requires. A restaurant with an approved owner claim; at least 2 pieces of accepted evidence covering supplier invoice and supplier / distributor details; a disclosed supplier relationship where the supplier has been verified by Zabify; and a Zabify reviewer who examines the evidence and records the decision.
What it records. Who reviewed it, when, which evidence was examined, and when re-review is due (every 180 days).
What it is not. Zabify Reviewed is not an HFSAA, HMS or other certifier’s certification and Zabify does not present it as equivalent. It is Zabify’s structured assessment of documentary evidence. Where a recognised certifier certifies a restaurant, that certification is represented directly and is shown ahead of Zabify’s own review.
Third-party bodies represented directly
- HFSAAUSHalal Food Standards Alliance of America
Inspects facilities and audits supply chains to verify Zabihah standards. Visit their official website to begin an application.
Official website → - HMSUSHalal Monitoring Services
Certifies restaurants whose meat originates from HMS-approved farms and processors. Contact them directly for their current process.
Official website → - SANHAZASouth African National Halaal Authority
South Africa's largest halaal certifying body, auditing restaurants, abattoirs, and supply chains across the country.
Official website → - NIHTZANational Independent Halaal Trust
An independent halaal certification body operating across South Africa.
- HMACAHalal Monitoring Authority
Canada's Halal Monitoring Authority, certifying restaurants and food establishments primarily across Ontario.
Official website → - HMCUKHalal Monitoring Committee
UK-based halal certification body inspecting restaurants, takeaways, and food outlets across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Official website → - ISNAISNA
- IFANCAIFANCA
- ISWAISWA
A restaurant certified by one of these bodies is represented with that certification directly; it is never forced through Zabify’s recurring evidence model.
What is Zabihah?
Zabihah (ذبيحة) is the Islamic method of slaughter — a swift, hand-administered cut that severs the trachea, esophagus and major blood vessels with a sharp blade while the animal is alive and healthy, with the name of Allah invoked at the moment of slaughter and the blood fully drained.
Many products labeled “halal” rely on mechanical slaughter, stunning, or supplier self-declarations. Zabihah halal — sometimes called hand-slaughtered halal — follows the classical understanding that each animal is slaughtered individually, by hand, by a Muslim, with intention.
Zabify does not adjudicate these questions itself. It surfaces which certifier or which evidence stands behind a listing so that you, and the scholars you trust, can decide.
Provenance beyond the restaurant
Restaurants can disclose the suppliers and distributors their meat comes from. Zabify verifies suppliers separately (business details, certifications, supporting evidence) and only shows verified suppliers publicly. The same supplier, product and certification records will power future product-level lookups.
Browse verified suppliers →Own a restaurant?
Claim your listing, link your suppliers, and keep your verification current. Nothing you submit is published until a Zabify reviewer accepts it.