Islamic dietary laws
Template:Further Template:Multiple issues Template:Fiqh Islamic dietary laws are laws that Muslims follow in their diet. Islamic jurisprudence specifies which foods are halal (Template:Langx) and which are haram (Template:Langx). The dietary laws are found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as well as in collections of traditions attributed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Herbivores, cud-chewing animals like cattle, deer, sheep, goats, and antelope are some examples of animals that are halal only if they are treated like sentient beings and slaughtered painlessly while reciting the basmala and takbir. If the animal is treated poorly or tortured while being slaughtered, the meat is haram. Forbidden food substances include alcohol, pork, frog, carrion, the meat of carnivores, and animals that died due to illness, injury, stunning, poisoning, or slaughtering not in the name of God.<ref name="yeniakit"/>
Regulations of food
[edit]Halal (permissible, lawful)
[edit]Quranic verses that have information regarding halal foods include: Q2:173, Q5:5, and Q6:118–119, 121.
Permissible meats and animals
[edit]Livestock or cattle, i.e. grazing beasts, are lawful except those that are explicitly prohibited. Hunting is prohibited during "the pilgrimage".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
This means that most herbivores or cud-chewing animals like cattle, deer, sheep, goats, and antelope are considered halal to consume.<ref name=yeniakit>Template:Cite web</ref>
Animals hunted by other animals (such as trained birds) are also permitted.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Permitted method of slaughter
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In Islamic law, Template:Transliteration (Template:Langx) is the prescribed method of slaughter for halal animals. It consists of a swift, deep incision to the throat with a very sharp knife, cutting the wind pipe, jugular veins and carotid arteries on both sides but leaving the spinal cord intact.<ref name=Usmani>[Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, "The Islamic Laws of Animal Slaughter", White Thread Publishers, CA, USA]</ref>
The carcass should be hung upside down for long enough to be free of blood.<ref name=Guard>Template:Cite web</ref>
Slaughtered animals must be acknowledged as sentient beings and slaughtered painlessly while reciting the Basmala and Takbir.<ref name=yeniakit/> The butcher is required to call upon the name of Allah (Bismillah) individually for each animal.<ref name=Usmani/> If the animal is treated poorly, or tortured while being slaughtered, the meat is haram.<ref name=yeniakit/>
Conversely, animals slaughtered for food may not be killed by being boiled or electrocuted.<ref name=Guard/> Animals strangled or beaten to death, or that died by falling or due to a wild animal are also expressly forbidden.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Game of Sea
[edit]Template:See also Game of water (i.e. fish and other sea creatures) is generally permitted in most of the schools of Islam, based on their interpretation of the Quran 5:96; the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence forbids consumption of seafood other than true "fish", and considers other sea creatures, such as crustaceans, to be makruh.<ref>* Template:Cite web
- Template:Cite web
- Template:Cite web</ref> Fishing is permitted during pilgrimage.
Some Hanafi scholars are in disagreement over whether or not prawns and shrimp constitute as true "fish"; comparatively, many scholars do agree that crocodile, crab, lobster, or any mollusk is not.<ref>al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 5/289–291</ref><ref>Bada’i al-Sana’i, 5/35–39</ref><ref>Radd al-Muhtar, 304–308.</ref>
In Shia hadith, there is a prohibition on the consumption of eels. Any fish without scales are haram (forbidden) but fish that do have scales are permissible. (see List of halal and kosher fish - Wikipedia)<ref name=":2">Al-Kafi 2:11116:1</ref>
According to the Maliki school, all types of seafood including seahorses, lobsters and crabs are permitted.
According to Shafi school, every type of fish that is not poisonous (i.e. puffer fish, rock fish etc.) is permitted and crustaceans that do not live on land such as soft-shell crabs and lobsters are permitted, while hermit-crabs, crocodiles and sea-snakes are haram.
| Sea Creature Category | Hanafi | Shafi‘i | Maliki | Hanbali | Ja‘fari (Shia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Fish (with scales) | Halal, provided the animal is recognized as “fish” (i.e. it has scales and fins). <ref name="SG2024">Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib, "Is Seafood Permissible to Eat?", SeekersGuidance, June 15, 2024.</ref> | Halal <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal (only if it has scales) <ref name="SG2024" /> |
| Shellfish/Crustaceans (e.g. shrimp, crab, lobster) | Generally not considered “true fish” and thus impermissible or at best makruh; nonetheless, there is a minority view among some Hanafi scholars that permits shrimp based on traditional usage. | Halal – all sea creatures are included under “sea game.” <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal – a broad permissibility is maintained. <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal – similar to the Shafi‘i and Maliki view. <ref name="SG2024" /> | Generally impermissible since only fish with scales are allowed (with some debate on shrimp in limited cases). <ref name="SG2024" /> |
| Mollusks (e.g. octopus, squid, clams, mussels) | Impermissible (not classified as “fish”). <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal <ref name="SG2024" /> | Impermissible (only true fish with scales are accepted). <ref name="SG2024" /> |
| Marine Mammals (e.g. whales, dolphins) | Generally avoided or deemed non-permissible since they do not fit the traditional definition of “fish.” <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal – the general ruling “what comes from the sea is lawful” applies. <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal <ref name="SG2024" /> | Halal <ref name="SG2024" /> | Impermissible – as they are not classified as fish with scales. <ref name="SG2024" /> |
| Amphibious Creatures (e.g. frogs) | Haram (explicitly forbidden in hadith). <ref name="Sistani">Office of His Eminence Al-Sayyid Ali Al-Husseini Al-Sistani, "Eating & Drinking – General Rules", Sistani.org.</ref> | Haram <ref name="Sistani" /> | Haram <ref name="Sistani" /> | Haram <ref name="Sistani" /> | Haram <ref name="Sistani" /> |
| Reptiles (e.g. sea turtles, sea snakes, crocodiles) | Haram – not considered part of the “sea game.” <ref name="SG2024" /> | Haram <ref name="SG2024" /> | Haram <ref name="SG2024" /> | Haram <ref name="SG2024" /> | Haram <ref name="SG2024" /> |
Food of People of the book
[edit]Food of Jews and Christians (other than those explicitly forbidden) is lawful for Sunni Muslims. Template:Blockquote
Haram (forbidden)
[edit]A variety of substances are also considered unlawful (haram) for humans to consume and therefore, the consumption of them is forbidden by the Sharia (Islamic law).
Certain animals are considered haram, including land animals without blood, including all insects except locusts. Most reptiles are also considered haram, as well as most pests (hasharat al-Ardh) such as mice and rats.
Differences of opinion exist as to whether the consumption of horses, mules, and donkeys is permitted. In the Quran, one finds this verse: "And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for show; and He has created (other) things of which you have no knowledge".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some scholars have interpreted this as limiting the named animals for riding and show only, prohibiting their consumption.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Predatory animals, such as lions, tigers, falcons and hawks are forbidden as well.
However, a person would not be considered guilty of sin in a situation where the lack of any alternative creates an undesired necessity to consume that which is otherwise unlawful, such as a famine.<ref name="cite quran|5|3|s=ns">Template:Cite quran</ref>
Intoxicants
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Template:MainTemplate:Anchor Alcoholic drinks are generally prohibited under Islamic thought,<ref name="Tillier 1–64">Template:Cite journal</ref> with the Quran including several verses that admonish the consumption of khamr, an Arabic term meaning intoxicants that is interpreted to include most forms of alcohol and psychoactive drugs: Template:Blockquote Template:Blockquote Template:Blockquote
There is some debate about whether the prohibition extends to dishes in which the alcohol would be cooked off, or if it would be practically impossible to consume enough of the food to become intoxicated, but it is generally accepted that the inclusion of any alcohol should be avoided and alternatives used.<ref name="Tillier 1–64"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Substances that contain intoxicants but are not consumed are not prohibited as such. For example, alcohol can be used as a disinfectant or for cleaning.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Alevi Muslims of Turkey permit alcohol, unlike many other denominations.<ref>Turkey's Alevi Muslims look to EU for protection from intolerance.</ref> The Zaidi and Mutazili sects believe that the use of alcohol has always been forbidden and refer to the Qur'an Ayah (4:43) as feeling of sleepiness and not to be awake.Template:Citation needed
Carrion
[edit]An animal that dies by itself, i.e., carrion, is forbidden in Islam:
Blood
[edit]The consumption of blood and its by-products as food is forbidden in Islam, in the Quran, surah 5, al-Maʼidah, verse 3:
Pork
[edit]Template:See also The consumption of pork and products made from pork are strictly forbidden in Islam. The origin of this prohibition is in Surat al-Baqarah: Template:Blockquote
Animals dedicated to other than God
[edit]Animal dedicated to or slaughtered in the name of a human being or saint is prohibited. Template:Blockquote
Horses, mules and donkeys
[edit]In both Sunni and Shia hadith the meat of mules is prohibited but horse meat is allowed in Sunni sources.
Horse meat is especially popular among the Muslims of Central Asia, due in part to their nomadic heritage.<ref>Horse meat dishes in Kazakhstan. Retrieved 13 January 2009. (archived from the original on 2008-06-10)</ref>
According to Shia hadith, the use of horses for food is prohibited.<ref>Al-Kafi 2:11128:13</ref>
Donkey meat is prohibited according to one hadith.<ref>Sahih Bukhari 7:67:431</ref>
Animals with fangs
[edit]Predator animals possessing fangs are prohibited (e.g. cats, dogs, bears, lions, wolves). Template:Blockquote
Birds of prey
[edit]Birds having talons are prohibited (e.g. owls, eagles, hawks). Template:Blockquote
Other prohibited animals
[edit]Lizard is prohibited, except for the dabb lizard according to most scholars. Template:Blockquote Template:Blockquote Template:Blockquote
Likewise snakes, scorpion, and mice are prohibited. There are also no rodents that are considered halal to eat in Islam. Template:Blockquote Eating monkeys is prohibited in Islam.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to Shia hadith, metamorphosed animals to which a disobedient, irreverent, or arrogant pre-Islamic nation was converted as a punishment (such as apes and monkeys) are prohibited.<ref>Al-Kafi 3:11132:1</ref>
Mushbooh
[edit]Foods whose halal status is uncertain or debated may be classified as Template:Lang (Template:Langx; 'doubtful'). This includes foods that are seemingly halal but of an unknown source and ingredients for which the halal status is subject to differing interpretation, such as extract from brewer's yeast, which is nonalcoholic but derived from the production of alcohol.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Islamic dietary laws during Ramadan
[edit]Ramadan, the ninth month on the Muslim calendar, is considered the holy month of fasting. Ramadan begins and ends with the appearance of the new moon. During Ramadan God is said to have delivered the Quran to Muhammad as guidance for the people. During Ramadan, Muslims take time for introspection, prayer, and reading of the Quran. For those who observe Ramadan with fasting, prayer, and faithful intention; God forgives their past sins. During this period, Muslims focus on self restraint or sawm (Arabic: to refrain), which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Ramadan emphasizes sawm, when worshippers have to abstain from food, drink, sexual activity, and immoral behavior between dawn and dusk. After dusk, Muslims break their fast during a meal called iftar with family and friends. Sawm can be negated by breaking fast, however, the lost can be made up with one extra day of fasting. The end of the Ramadan fast is the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr (Feast of Fast-Breaking), one of the two major religious holidays on the Muslim calendar.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Food certification
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Since the turn of the 21st century, there have been efforts to create organizations that certify food products as halal for Muslim consumers in the USA.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since 1991, some mainstream manufacturers of soups, grains, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, prepared foods, and other products, as well as hotels, restaurants, airlines, hospitals, and other service providers have pursued the halal market. These companies purchase halal-certified products. This can allow companies to export products to most Middle Eastern countries and Southeast Asian countries. The oldest and most well-known halal certifier in the United States is called the Islamic Services of America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Europe, several organizations have been created in order to certify the halal products. A 2009 survey published by a French association of Muslim Consumers (ASIDCOM<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>) shows that the market of halal products has been developed in a chaotic way in Europe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The European certification organizations do not have a common definition of "halal" nor agreed upon control procedures and traceability. The controls implemented by individual agencies are all very different: they can go from an annual audit of the slaughterhouse, to checking each production with permanent controls in place and on-going independent monitoring.Template:Citation needed
In South Africa, most chicken products have a halal stamp. The South African National Halal Authority (SANHA) issues certificates and products bearing this logo range from water, snacks, and even meat-free products (which may contain non-halal ingredients). The South African National Halal Authority also licenses the usage of the Halal logo in restaurants where the food is halal, in addition to no alcohol or pork products being served.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Singapore, halal certification is managed by Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. They are the sole custodian of Halal Certification in Singapore.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Malaysia, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is the agency responsible for halal certification in Malaysia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Availability of halal food in non-Islamic regions
[edit]In 2013, the halal market was estimated to be 26% of world food trade.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Global Halal Institute has a list of Halal certifiers that are approved by most Muslim countries with dietary import restrictions for companies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Europe and Asia
[edit]In the United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, or Singapore, halal fried chicken restaurants having thousands of outlets, some but not all of which, serve halal foods such as the Nando's, Brown's Chicken, and Crown Fried Chicken companies.Template:Citation neededTemplate:Citation needed
Effects on meat
[edit]Research claims the method of quickly severing windpipe, jugular vein and carotid artery in one quick move without giving the animal time to panic does have an effect on quality of meat. When animals face trauma or stress, the glycogen in their body is converted to lactic acid. This affects the pH level of the meat, lower pH resulting in lighter colored meat and higher pH resulting in darker meat. This makes the meat tougher and also hard to chew. The halal way of slaughtering ensures the method is believed to be less traumatic for the animal.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref>
See also
[edit]- Islamic vegetarianism
- Comparison of Islamic and Jewish dietary laws
- Christian dietary laws
- Dhabihah
- Dietary laws
- Halal
- Hechsher
- Kashrut
- Kosher foods
- List of diets
- Makruh
- Muslim Consumer Group (MCG)
- Religious restrictions on the consumption of pork
- Ritual slaughter
- Taboo food and drink
- Word of Wisdom
References
[edit]External links
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