Zikr vs. Uhilla (Rashad)

The word “mention” in the Quran, used to refer to mentioning the name of God before we eat, is zikr. This differs from the word “uhilla,” used exclusively in the four verses discussing dietary prohibitions. The following verses show the word "mention" in connection to food.

[6:119] Why should you not eat from that upon which GOD’s name has been mentioned? He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are forced. Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of the transgressors. [6:120] You shall avoid obvious sins, as well as the hidden ones. Those who have earned sins will surely pay for their transgressions.

[6:121] Do not eat from that upon which the name of GOD has not been mentioned, for it is an abomination. The devils inspire their allies to argue with you; if you obey them, you will be idol worshipers.

وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُمْ مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا لَيُضِلُّونَ بِأَهْوَائِهِمْ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُعْتَدِينَ

وَذَرُوا ظَاهِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ الْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا يَقْتَرِفُونَ

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ

If we imply that 6:119-121 is in reference to the dietary prohibitions, then this would mean that there is a contradiction as the four verses regarding the dietary prohibitions all state not to eat upon which "uhilla" to other than God, but under this understanding then 6:119 and 121 would imply that if no name was mentioned, it would also be prohibited to eat. Therefore, 6:119 and 121 only inform us that before we eat any food, we must mention God’s name. This does not imply that the food itself is prohibited for eating, but only that it is our responsibility to mention God’s name upon that food before we eat it.

Rashad Khalifa explains that when it comes to dietary prohibitions, he limits this to only animal products, but when it comes to mentioning God’s name before we eat, he generalizes this to all foods, including eggs, apples, bread, cheese, and rice.

~6min into the above audio

This is specified around the 6-minute mark of the below audio at around the 6 min mark.

In the following audio, Rashad goes into detail that when it comes to the dietary prohibition people will accidentally prohibit beyond what is mentioned in the Quran. At around the 6-minute mark, he addresses that the fourth dietary prohibition depends on the matter of slaughtering the animal and the mentioning of only God when the animal is slaughtered. Then, just before the 8-minute mark, he says, “”There is a human being… no, no, DEDICATION MEANS I kill this animal in the name of…”