Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amena’s Best Halal?  

Amena’s Best Halal, or ABH, is a business venture that aims at

1. Developing Thabiha production capacity;

2. Developing livestock processing and subsequent production of consumable meat and derived products that are in strict adherence to Islamic laws and injunctions; and

3. Providing robust and defensible certification regime that enables it to market its supervised products and processing under Thabiha and Halal designations. 

What are the driving principles of Amena’s Best Halal?  

ABH is established based on the following five principles:

1. Strict adherence to Thabiha standards in accordance to Islamic laws and injunctions;

2. Deliberate selection of premium quality livestock;

3. Humane treatment of the animal at all stages;

4. Protection and safety of animal handlers and meat cutting workers; and

5. Highest integrity and transparency in business practices. 

 What is main line of products that ABH offers at the present time?  

Premium Quality Halal Beef from top grade steers.  

 Does ABH arrange for Lambs or Goats?  

Not at the present time.  

 Can ABH provide Organic beef?

If there is a clear interest in high grade organic beef, ABH will gladly explore the market for premium organic steers and fulfill any special request. The cost would be significantly higher for organic beef. 

 Can I bring my own steer or do the Halal slaughter myself?

Unfortunately that is not allowed by ABH and its partners. ABH is committed however to accommodate all requests of breed, age, delivery, and other instructions by our clients, to the best of our abilities. ABH offers these accommodations at no extra fees.

 What is the approximate weight of one full share of beef?  

The packaged meat of one steer is divided into 8 shares, and each share is about 50-60 lbs.

Can I order Half Share of steer? 

Yes. A steer carcass is divided typically to eight shares, each is about 50-60 lbs. We can offer a half share, which is about 30 lbs.  Please make your interest of only half share clear in your order.

Can I order more than one Full Share of steer? 

Yes, you can order more than one share, but we reserve the right to limit allocation to ensure all our customer are equally satisfied. Please make your interest of more than one share clear in your order.

What are the Thabiha Standards that ABH adhere to?  

ABH strictly adheres to these six requirements that define the meat as Thabiha:

1-     Selects premium quality animals free from any physical defects;

2-     Ensures humane treatment of the animal throughout the whole process;

3-     Enlists a skilled Handler to carry out the bleeding.  A Handler is Muslim, adult of known character, conduct, and in full adherence to mainstream Islamic schools of jurisprudence;

4-     Entrusts the Handler with reciting the prayers of Thabiha at the instance of bleeding;

5-     Provides protection and safety of the Handler from injury by the animal or sharp knife; and

6-     Requires USDA certification inspectors that animal is specifically designated for human consumption.

 How does ABH perform the Islamic bleeding of the animal?

The bleeding is carried out in strict adherence to Islamic laws and injunctions governing Thabiha rules.  We use a dedicate, very sharp, large sized knife. Bleeding is swiftly done after reciting specific Thabiha prayers.  Grass Fed Black Angus have minimal human interactions as compared to corn fed Holstein.  As a result, Grass Fed Black Angus steers tend to be very aggressive animals, hence it is imperative to administer a prior stunning to guard the physical safety and wellbeing of the Handler.

Why does the meat supplied by ABH taste consistently so good?

Good taste is the result of how ABH controls quality by adopting rigid protocols throughout the entire process.  ABH procures cattle from reliable suppliers, use mostly Grass Fed Black Angus steers, and pays premium price to ensure top rate livestock.  ABH also ensures health of the steers and physical calmness prior to bleeding and observes humane treatment of the animal.  In addition, ABH uses only federally inspected facility, and identify by name crew members working on our animals, and tip them generously for work well done.  

Why does ABH not buy steers from auctions to control cost?

ABH does not procure steers from auctions, local ads, Craigslist, or any other nefarious sources. These nefarious sources makes it hard to control quality, origin, grade, and taste.  ABH acquires steers only from established and reputable suppliers, certified grass fed, and pays based on market prices at the week of the acquisition.  

Why does ABH use only federally inspected facility, i.e., USDA, which is more expensive than non-federally inspected facility?   

USDA has very stringent protocols applied to the facility, the health, quality, and treatment of the animals, and sanitary standards throughout the entire process.  The USDA inspects the slaughter facility, before, during, and after operations; and have inspectors on the floor during the slaughtering process from start to finish.  ABH ensures that the health of the animals is certified by USDA, the process is adherence to the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA), and the carcass passes inspections and be stamped by USDA inspectors.  The cost overhead on the price is fully justified to ensure the highest standards of hygiene, health, quality, and taste.  

Would it not be much cheaper to process at some farm without USDA inspection, and using animals acquired from cattle auction or a local farm?

Yes, and the price would then be cut to half if done that way.  ABH shall not be engaged in this kind of practices because these will contravene our strict quality control and Thabiha standards. 

Can ABH deliver to my home?

While ABH is not set up for local delivery, the team has delivered often when the means and ability were available.  ABH will continue to do that as much as possible to its VIP members, but makes no promises that it is part of the service.

What are the cuts included in one share?

Each share contains various cuts, such as roast, steak, porterhouse, sirloin, ribs, soup bones, ground, etc. The amount of specific cuts included in the share depends on several factors, such as the yield of the animal, the cuts instructions, and any variation in the number of shares and half shares. For example, a full share may contain the following:

8-10 lbs of boneless steak, such as sirloin and round steak;

8-10 lbs of premium steaks, such as T-bone, porterhouse, and tenderloin;

15-20 lbs of ground beef;

10-15 lbs of roast, such as chuck, rump, and tip roast;

2-3 lbs of short ribs and soup bones;

1- 3 lbs of offal, such liver, tongue, and heart.

Can I order specific cuts in my share?

ABH has no capacity to provide specific cuts at the present time. In the near future however, ABH will start providing more specific selection of cuts in its packages.  

Can I order a full steer?

Absolutely. Please let us know in advance and will fulfill such requests to your full satisfaction.

If I order a full steer, can I control the kinds cuts for the meat?

Yes, this is allowed only if you order a whole steer.  

Why ABH charges same price for cheap cuts (such as ground, liver, short ribs) and expensive cuts (such as tenderloin, T-Bone, and porterhouse)?

Based on our current pricing structures, ABH charges per pound for the full or half share, the same for all cuts in the package.  The price is balanced between cheap and expensive cuts, to keep the cost lowest possible per lb for all packages.  

How does ABH calculate the cost of the share? 

ABH calculates the price based on the weight of the individual share and the price per pound.  For instance, if the share weight is 50 lbs, and the price is $10.00 per pound, then the total is $500.00.

How is it possible that ABH charge so modest price for sirloin, porterhouse, and ribeye? 

The price of cuts within a share is balanced between less and more expensive cuts, to keep the cost lowest possible per lb for the entire package. 

Can I pay only for the cuts I want, and return the cuts I do not want? 

The current pricing structure makes it very difficult to accommodate selection of premium cuts only in a package. In the near future however, ABH will be introducing more selection options for each order.

I have more questions.  How can I contact you?

Please contact us at AmenasBestHalal@gmail.com.