The Quran and Sunnah have provided a number of guidelines for what is allowed for Muslims to eat and what is not, and thus, Muslim dietary practice is directly related to divine obedience.  Practicing Muslims obey Allah by following these guidelines, and thus they are rewarded for this, as following the guidelines of the religion is considered worship. 

Permitted food and drinks are classified as halal, while those forbidden as haram.  Since ‘you are what you eat’, Islam permits food deemed wholesome for the body and the soul and forbids what is detrimental to them, as the Quran declares:

“Today all good, pure foods have been made lawful for you.” (Quran 5:5)

Mainstream Christianity claims no dietary laws to speak of, whereas Judaism has numerous and rigorous dietary laws.  In Hinduism, food is one of the principal indices of social status, as food observances help to define caste ranking.  Islamic dietary laws, on the other hand, bond the community of faithful in one whole, and in their rigor they lie somewhere in between Judaism and Christianity.

In this lesson we will familiarize ourselves with basic rules of Islamic dietary law.

The Good and Permissible


Generally, every food and drink is permissible unless it is prohibited by Allah or His Messenger, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him.  What is halal is much more than what has been made haram, and thus discussion is often limited to what is haram.  All vegetables, fruits, lentils and grains are permissible, and nothing has been explicitly forbidden in the Quran in their regards.  

As for meat, all seafood has been made permissible, as are common meats like beef, chicken, and lamb. There is such a large variety of foods made permissible in Islam that it would be impossible to mention them all in this article. Thus, as is customarily done, we will mention the restrictions placed upon diet by Islam.

Prohibited Foods


1. Prohibition of Carrion


Allah says in the Quran:

‘Indeed, what He has forbidden to you is the flesh of dead animals…’ (Quran 2:173)

The first prohibited food is the flesh of “dead animals,” that is, the animal which dies of natural causes, without being slaughtered or hunted.  There are many health hazards in carrion, details of which can be found here.

But Allah has created other beings in such a way that they are able to benefit from carrion as a source of sustenance.. An exception to this rule is sea-food.   Prophet Muhammad said of the sea:

 ‘Its water is pure and its dead are halal (to eat).’ (Musnad)

This maybe due to the preserving factor of salt coupled with the fact that it is next to impossible to catch live fish and “slaughter” them. It may be also due to the physiology of fish itself.

2. Prohibition of Flowing Blood[1]


The second prohibition relates to flowing or liquid blood which cannot be used as food or drink.  It’s rare to find recipes using blood anyway!

3. Pork[2]


The third prohibited food is pork, that is, the flesh of swine.  All pork products like sausage, pepperoni, salami, chops, ribs, lard, bacon, and ham are forbidden.

4. Animal Dedicated to Anyone Other Than Allah[3]


The fourth prohibition refers to animals[4] which are dedicated to anyone other than Allah, that is to say, those which are slaughtered with the invocation of a name other than the name of Allah, such as idols, celestial objects, prophets or saints.  When slaughtering an animal, the Arab polytheists would invoke the names of their idols.  In this case, the reason for the prohibition is entirely related to faith: to safeguard the belief in Allah, to purify worship, and to oppose shirk in matters of food consumption. Indeed it is Allah who created man and subjected the animals to him and permitted him to take its life for food on the condition that His name be pronounced at the time of slaughter.  Pronouncing the name of Allah while slaughtering the animal is an announcement that one is taking the life of this creature by the permission of its Creator, while if one invokes any other name, he has forfeited this permission and must be denied the use of its flesh.

5. Slaughtering with means which does not properly allow the exit of Blood[5]


Allah in the Quran mentions various forms of this category:

- Strangulation: An animal which has been strangled, for example, by a rope around its neck, or suffocated is forbidden.

- Beaten to Death[6]

- A Fallen Animal[7]: An animal which dies as a result of a fall from a high place, or by falling into a gully or ravine.

- Gored[8]: An animal which dies as a result of being gored by the horns of another animal.

- Partly Eaten by Other Animals[9]:An animal partly consumed by wild beasts and dies as a result.

6. Other Animals


The Quran says concerning the Messenger of Allah:

“...(he) makes lawful to them what is good and makes unlawful what is foul...” (Quran 7:157)

In addition to the terrestrial animals prohibited by the Quran, the Prophet also forbade the eating of any carnivorous animals with canine teeth, and any bird with talons.[10]  Carnivorous animals denote those which prey on others and devour them by tearing them apart, e.g., the lion, leopard, wolf, and the like; birds with talons such as the hawk, eagle, and the falcon.

Animals Slaughtered by Jews and Christians


Islam emphasizes that animals must be slaughtered in a prescribed manner.[11]  While Islam takes an uncompromising attitude towards meat slaughtered by polytheists, it is lenient in the case of meat of Jews and Christians, for they also have been ordered to slaughter in the name of God in their revelations.[12]  Consequently, Islam permits meats slaughtered by them:

“…and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you.” (Quran 5:6)

Necessity Dictates Exceptions


“...He has explained to you what He has made haram for you, except that to which you are compelled...” (Quran 6:119)

In Islamic law, necessity is deemed to exist when one fears death or great harm. If one finds nothing else to eat except that which is prohibited, and the person fears death, he may apply this rule.  One should, however, stay within the limits and eat only enough to keep him alive.

Vegetarianism and Other Diets


Many meats are halal, but a Muslim does not have to eat meat, it’s not part of faith! A Muslim can be vegetarian by choice. There are many foods which a Muslim can choose to eat from, and one should not feel that they must eat things they do not desire. The Prophet himself preferred not to eat onions or garlic, nor desert-lizard, a type of meat some ate in his time. One should not think, however, that there is something ethically wrong with eating meat, or else they would in a sense be legislating ethics, which is a right of Allah alone.

Alcohol and other Mind Altering Drugs


The Arabs before Islam were fond of wine and drinking.  Love of wine is reflected and seen in their language, which has nearly one hundred names for it, and in their poetry, which celebrates the praises of wine, goblets, and drinking parties.

To eradicate the evil of drinking from society, Allah prohibited it in measured stages.  First, He made it clear to them that the harm of drinking wine is greater than its benefit.  Next, He told them not to come close to salah while intoxicated; and finally, He revealed the verse that completely forbade alcohol.[13]

The response of the Muslims when the verse of prohibition was revealed was remarkable.  People were drinking, with partly-filled cups in their hands.  As soon as they heard someone shouting the verse to announce its prohibition, they poured the remaining drinks upon the ground and broke their fermentation pots.

The Prophet declared all intoxicants to be completely forbidden:

“Everything which alters the mind is [like] alcohol, and every type of alcohol is haram.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opium, and the like are definitely included in the prohibited category of alcohol and therefore are haram.

Islam forbids all intoxicants, regardless of the amount consumed.  This is why the Prophet said:

“Whatever intoxicates if consumed in a large amount, a small amount of it is haram.” (Abu Daud, Al-Tirmidhi)

A final word… adjusting diet is perhaps one of the major lifestyle changes a new Muslim has to go through after entering the fold of Islam.  Many before you have done it, it’s an adjustment you will be able to make as well with some self-discipline and help from Allah.  Lastly, it is perhaps safest to find halal meat stores in your area to buy meat from.

Islam is not merely a religion, it is a way of life; a holistic approach designed by our Creator to benefit all of humankind.  The comprehensiveness of Islam allows every aspect of life to be an act of worship, from praying to sleeping, from washing to working.  Every chore from the menial to the profound can earn countless rewards simply by a person wanting to please Allah with their every thought and action.

When Allah created the world He did not set things in motion and then leave us to our own designs; quite the contrary He sent us guidance.  This guidance comes in the form of Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him.  Within these two sources of guidance we will find the rules and regulations, and the rights and responsibilities that allow us to deal with any situation we may find ourselves in.  In this lesson we will discover the Islamic etiquette of eating.

All actions performed in the daily course of life can be raised to the status of worship simply by remembering to praise Allah and seek His pleasure.  Yes, even eating; it has an etiquette that raises its status from a mundane act to a rewarding act of worship.  Think about it.  Food plays a significant part in our daily lives.  Shopping, storing, preparation, eating, and cleaning - all take up a large amount of time, effort and money.  The rewards accumulated from the act of eating can be innumerable and of more substance than a full belly or bulging waist line. 

The etiquette of eating involves actions before, during, and after eating.

Cleanliness


There is an old western saying - cleanliness is next to Godliness and Islam places great emphasis on cleanliness.  Just as a Muslim purifies his body before turning to Allah in prayer he must also pay attention to the cleanliness of his surroundings.

Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.” (Quran 2:222)

Therefore it is important that the food preparation area and the hands that will touch the food are kept clean.  Filthy conditions cause disease and ill health.  If you have not been involved with the preparation of the food it is still important to thoroughly wash your hands before eating.

Mentioning the name of Allah


A Muslim should begin every task, even eating, by mentioning the name of God.  One should say:

“Bismillah” for this means “I begin with the name of Allah”.

“When one of you eats, he should mention Allah’s name; if he forgets to mention Allah’s name at the beginning, he should say:

“Bismillaahi fee awwalihi wa aakhirihi”

“I begin with the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it (i.e.  this meal).”[1]

Eating and drinking with the right hand


Eating with the right hand is obligatory for Muslims unless there is an excuse such as illness or injury.  The left hand is usually used to clean the body of filth and impurities while the right hand is used for eating, passing objects from one person to another and for shaking hands.  Prophet Muhammad also advised us in his Sunnah that Satan eats with his left hand therefore the believers should refrain from anything that causes them to resemble Satan.

Prophet Muhammad said, When any one of you intends to eat, he should eat with his right hand, and when he (intends) to drink he should drink with his right hand, for Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.[2]

“When I was a young boy in the care of the Messenger of Allah, my hand used to wander all over the platter (of food).   The Messenger of Allah said to me, ‘O young boy, say Bismillah (I begin with the name of Allah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is directly in front of you’.”[3]

Eating with one’s hand is a way of emulating Prophet Muhammad and his companions, and as such is a recommended and rewardable act, however, the use of forks, spoons and knives is not prohibited. 

Good manners


In situations where everyone eats from a common platter or serving dish, taking the food that is directly in front of you is considered good manners.  Reaching over others or searching for the most delicious pieces of food can make your dining companions uncomfortable and cause you to appear ungrateful or greedy. 

It is from the manners of Islam to respect guests by offering them the choicest food and delivering it in a timely manner.   The guest is then able to respond by hastening to taste and praise the food and by praying for and sending blessings upon the host.  A very pleasant supplication to make for your host is the following:

“Allaahumma baarik lahum feemaa razaqtahum, waghfir lahum warhamhum”

“O Allah, bless them in what You have provided for them, and forgive them and have mercy on them.“[4]

It is wrong to criticise food, rather it is better to merely refrain from eating anything you do not like.  Umm Hufaid served Prophet Muhammad a dish of butter (ghee), cheese and some lizards.  He ate out of the clarified butter and cheese, but left the lizard finding no liking for it.[5]

The good manners inherent in Islam also indicate that a person should not spit or blow his nose whilst eating, nor should he recline while eating.

Blessings in food


The comprehensiveness of Islam allows us to send and receive blessings while eating and drinking however we must not forget that God provides blessings in the food itself. Prophet Muhammad, may mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, advised us to pick up, dust off and eat any pieces of food that fall on the floor, to be certain not to miss any blessings or to leave the food for Satan.

“When any one of you drops a mouthful he should pick it up and remove any of the filth on it, and then eat it, and should not leave it for Satan. One should not wipe his hand with a cloth until he has licked his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of the food the blessing lies.”[1]

If possible, in order to receive even more blessings, a Muslim should try to share his meals and not eat alone. Sharing meals with family, friends, loved ones, and neighbors creates bonds between believers. It should never be a problem if the amount of food seems too small, for the blessing extends to the amount of food required.

“The food for two people is sufficient for three, and the food of three people is sufficient for four.”[2]

“Eat your food together, for there are further blessings when you eat together.”[3]

Eating in moderation


The etiquette of eating includes eating in moderation and not overindulging no matter how appetizing the food is. Prophet Muhammad reminded us that keeping the body light and healthy is better than being overweight, lazy and idle.

“A man does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach.  It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat what is enough for his body. But if he must do more than that, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink and one-third for his air.”[4]

“And eat and drink, but waste not in extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not those who waste in extravagance.” (Quran 7:31)

From the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad we learn to avoid eating or drinking from vessels of silver or gold.

“Do not wear silk  and do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, or eat from plates thereof. They are for them (disbelievers) in this world and for us in the Hereafter.”[5]

After Eating


In part 1 we learnt to mention the name of God before eating and now we finish by praising and thanking Him in a manner that suits His majesty. We say Alhamdulillah (all praises and thanks are due to God) to acknowledge that God is the one who provides all our sustenance.  Whether it is a little or a lot, we thank Him and we praise Him.

“And no moving (living) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from God.” (Quran 11:6)

Prophet Muhammad said that “God is pleased when one of His slaves eats something and praises Him for it, or drinks something and praises Him for it,”[6]  and that is what a true believer is trying to achieve; the ability to please God in all of our deeds.

Prophet Muhammad advised us all to wash our hands before and after eating regardless of whether we are in the state of ritual purity or not.  It is acceptable to rinse with water, but it is preferable to use soap or a cleaning liquid.  It is also recommended to rinse the mouth after eating.

Once on an expedition Prophet Muhammad led the afternoon prayer and then asked for food. The food was brought and everybody ate. It was then time for the evening prayer, Prophet Muhammad rose, rinsed his mouth with water, as did his companions. He then prayed without renewing his wudoo (ritual ablution).[7]

From this account we learn two things, that it is preferable to rinse the mouth after eating and that the act of eating (unless under very specific circumstances) does not break a person’s wudoo.

Oral Hygeine


Although it is not obligatory to clean the teeth after eating, Islam attaches great importance to oral hygiene. Prophet Muhammad recommended using a tooth stick called a miswak or siwak. He informed us that it purifies the mouth and pleases God.  Miswak is a natural twig fortified with minerals; it cleans the teeth, prevents the gums from bleeding, kills bacteria, and freshens the breath.  If miswak is not available one may use a toothbrush, toothpastes and mouth washes for they are acceptable. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Use miswak, for it purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord.  Had it not been for fear of making things too difficult for my Ummah (nation), I would have commanded them to use the miswak before every prayer.” [8]

Prophet Muhammad also suggested ways for the believers to drink water.  He advised that water should be drunk in three breaths rather than gulping water in one mouthful, and cautioned against breathing into the drinking vessel because it contaminates the water with spittle. And it is better for one to drink while sitting.

Finally, as we have mentioned, Islam is a complete way of life; even mundane acts such as eating or drinking can be considered as great chances to worship God.

When God made human beings He did so with a purpose.  We were created to worship our Creator and because of this God sent us prophets, messengers and revelations to guide us along the journey.   Islam is the religion for all of humankind and its guidance is applicable for all places in all times and circumstances.  Unlike many other religions, Islam is a complete way of life; it is not possible to practice Islam on one day a week or when one has the time or inclination.  Islam is a holistic way of life that stresses the importance of maintaining good health and offers the ways and means to cope with ill health.  Islam teaches us to be concerned about the whole person, thus health is made up of three parts, spiritual, emotional and physical health and all of them are interconnected. 

Nutrition


The deen of Islam offers a holistic approach to health and fitness that includes treating our bodies with respect and nourishing them with halal nutritious foods.   Allah expects us to choose wholesome food and to avoid food that has little or no nutritional value.   He says, “…Eat of what is lawful and wholesome on the earth...” (Quran 2:168) and “Eat of the good things which We have provided for you.” (Quran 2:172).

Allah encourages us to eat wholesome food and couples it with warnings to remember Him and avoid Satan’s tricks.  “O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth that is lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan.  Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.”  (Quran 2:168)

Healthy eating and paying attention to the nutritional values of food satisfies our hunger and has an effect on the quality of our ibadah.  Feeling bloated or suffering from indigestion can severely impede our worship.  Likewise feeling energized can make our worship a joyful experience.  Quran does not give us a list as such, but it does tell us what halal foods Allah has provided. 

1.     Meat.  “He created cattle that give you warmth, benefits and food to eat.” (Quran l6:5)

2.     Fish and seafood.  “It is He who subdued the seas, from which you eat fresh fish.” (Quran 16: 14) “Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as provision for you…” (Quran 5:96)

3.     Fruits and vegetables.  “It is He who sends down water from the sky with which He brings up corn, olives, dates and grapes and other fruit.” (Quran 16:11) “And it is He Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and date palms, and crops of different shape and taste (its fruits and its seeds) and olives, and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in taste).  Eat of their fruit when they ripen...” (Quran 6:141)

4.     Milk.  “In cattle too you have a worthy lesson.   We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, between the undigested food and blood: pure milk, a pleasant beverage for those who drink it.” (Quran l6:66)

5.     Honey.  “There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people…” (Quran 16:69)

6.     Grains.  “…and from it (the earth) we produced grain for their sustenance.” (Quran 36:33)

Throughout the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, we find numerous occasions where nutritious food and good health are linked.  Halal food is able to nourish our bodies and aid in curing illnesses and injuries.   The following are just three superfoods from the Quran and Sunnah that attest to the benefits of nourishing our bodies in a halal way.

1.     Honey.  “Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Quran is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you two remedies, the Quran and honey.”  Honey contains anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.  The WHO (World Health Organization) regards honey as a potentially valuable medicinal substance to sooth inflamed mucus membranes and thus a treatment for coughs.  “All honey is antibacterial because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide,” said Peter Molan, director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.

2.     Dates.  Dates are good for digestive health; they are aid in treating constipation, upset stomach or diarrhoea.  They are an excellent source of iron, thus an excellent way to treat and prevent anaemia, and they help keep our bones, blood and immune systems healthy.  There are at least 15 minerals in dates, including selenium, an element that is believed to help prevent cancer and is important in immune function.[1]  Prophet Muhammad advised us to break our fasts by eating dates because they were purifying.[2] 

3.     Olives.  Olives are very high in vitamin E and other powerful antioxidants.  Studies show that they are good for the heart, and may protect against osteoporosis and cancer.  In addition to this, many of the phytonutrients found in olives have well-documented anti-inflammatory properties.  Extracts from whole olives have been shown to function as anti-histamines at a cellular level.[3]  Prophet Muhammad advised us to “Eat the oil and use it on your hair and skin, for it comes from a blessed tree.[4]

There are in fact very few foods that are haram.  “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than God...”  (Quran 5:3) “...and intoxicants.” (Quran 5:91-92) Apart from a few things mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah, everything else is considered lawful.  However, this does not mean we can eat anything and forget about treating our bodies that are a trust from Allah, with respect.

Diet


While processed foods, sugar, and junk food are not forbidden, they must be eaten sparingly as part of a balanced diet.  Many of the most common illnesses today derive from unhealthy eating habits.   Coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and depression, and the plagues of the 21st century, have all been linked to inadequate diets.  A healthy diet contains a mixture of all the good foods Allah has provided for us.  We are however encouraged not to take things to extremes.  A person who indulges in too much food may become unhealthy, thereby unable to fulfil their obligations.  Likewise, someone who eats too little or not enough wholesome food will also become unhealthy causing their ibadah to suffer. 

Prophet Muhammad advised humankind to maintain a balance between two extremes and not place too much emphasis on filling our stomachs.   He said, “No man fills a vessel worse than his stomach.  A few mouthfuls are enough.  However if a person must eat more than that, they should fill one third (of the stomach) with food, one third with liquid and leave one third for easy breathing”[5]

Islam’s holistic approach to health means that we must invest time and effort into our physical and emotional needs as well as our spiritual state. Our bodies are a complex set of cells, organs and systems on loan to us from Allah, therefore we are obligated to keep them in good working order. In the first lesson, we discussed the role of nutrition and diet and now we will look at the function of fitness and exercise.

When Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated that a strong believer was better than a weak believer he was not only talking in terms of faith and character. He was also indicating that physical strength was a desirable trait for a believer to have.  Each person has their own set of physical capabilities determined by Allah and accordingly each one of us must aim to achieve our own state of optimum health and fitness. The obligatory acts of Islam, under normal circumstances, do require some physical effort. When making the postures of prayer we use all the muscles and joints of the body. A person must be in good health if they intend to fast and the pilgrimage to Mecca is a strenuous undertaking.

Fitness


Prophet Muhammad and the sahabah were physically fit by virtue of their lifestyles; life was harder, and farming and hunting required strength and endurance. People in the previous centuries walked longer distances, ate more natural foodstuffs, and generally had to be fit in order to sustain their lives. Even though we may not have direct control over illness and injury Allah expects us to treat our bodies with respect and to do everything we can to maintain them in good condition.

Nowadays we are plagued by a number of conditions and illnesses that are directly related to unhealthy lifestyles and lack of exercise. Some chronic conditions can be improved and sometimes even reversed by paying attention to our fitness.  It is worth remembering that we will be called to account if we fail to take measures to improve our declining health. 

We are able to read numerous ahadith that attest to the fact that Prophet Muhammad consistently advised the sahabah to keep fit and to live a lifestyle conducive to good health. He said “O Allah, make the early morning hours blessed for my nation.”[1]  Consequently the sahabah were all early risers, they did not stay up all night engaging in useless pastimes.  Prophet Muhammad would to go to sleep after the Isha prayer,[2]  and he was known to advise others that our bodies have rights over us[3].