Islamic dietary laws are laws that Muslims follow in their diet. Islamic jurisprudence specifies which foods are halal (Arabic: حَلَال, romanized: ḥalāl, lit. 'lawful') and which are haram (Arabic: حَرَام, romanized: ḥarām, lit. 'unlawful'). 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, and animals that died due to illness, injury, stunning, poisoning, or slaughtering not in the name of God.
Quranic foundation The Quran, which is the divine source, along with the life and teachings of Muhammad (sunnah), explicitly state foods that are prohibited (haram) and permissible (halal). These rules of living are believed as essentials for religious observances, practical life, and the health and well-being.
Etymology The Arabic word halal literally translates to 'lawful' or 'permitted'. In Sharia law, this refers to what is lawful by Allah. The word haram translates to prohibited and one who breaks this are considered sinful.
Rules Based on Islamic scriptural injunctions, Islamic dietary laws are classified as halāl (permissible), harām (forbidden), and mashbūh (dubious).
Halal Livestock or cattle, i.e., grazing beasts, are lawful except those that are explicitly prohibited. Hunting is prohibited during "the pilgrimage". Islamic jurisprudence states that all things are essentially halal unless Sharia law states otherwise. The Quran explicitly states numerous halal food items:
Cattle (sheep, goats, camels, buffaloes) Land-hunted animals Meat of animals slaughtered by People of the Book Dates, olives, pomegranates, grapes, and various fruits Animals slaughtered in the name of Allah Cattle's milk and honey Grains Marine hunting (seafood)
Seafood
Seafood 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. 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.
Mushbooh Foods whose halal status is uncertain or debated may be classified as mushbooh (Arabic: مشبوه; '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.
Ritual slaughter
In Islamic law, dhabīḥah (Arabic: ذَبِيحَة) 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. The carcass should be hung upside down for long enough to be free of blood. Slaughtered animals must be acknowledged as sentient beings and slaughtered painlessly while reciting the Basmala and Takbir. The butcher is required to call upon the name of Allah (Bismillah) individually for each animal. If the animal is treated poorly, or tortured while being slaughtered, the meat is haram.
Conversely, animals slaughtered for food may not be killed by being boiled or electrocuted. Animals strangled or beaten to death, or that died by falling or due to a wild animal are also expressly forbidden.
Haram 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). Haram is typically classified as Haram li-dhatih (textual haram) and Haram li-ghayrih (derivative rules). Textual haram are things explicitly declared in scriptures. Derivative rules are not explicitly stated but prohibited based on Sharia rules and regulations. The Quran states 13 items that are haram:
Dead animals (carrion) – animals must die per Islamic slaughter. Blood – specifically refers to flowing blood, however, the liver, spleen, and the blood remaining in meat or veins after slaughter are permitted. Pork – all parts of a pig are prohibited. Animals slaughtered in the name other than Allah. Strangulated animals Animals killed by injury Fallen dead animals Animals that die from another animal's horn Animals killed by another animal Animals slaughtered at the altar of idols Wine and intoxicating substances Animals incorrectly slaughtered Hunting in Ihram 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". Some scholars have interpreted this as limiting the named animals for riding and show only, prohibiting their consumption. 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.
Islamic dietary laws during Ramadan
During Ramadan, the ninth month on the Muslim calendar and considered the holy month of fasting, Muslims take time for introspection, prayer, and reading of the Quran. During this period, Muslims focus on self restraint or sawm (Arabic: to refrain), which is one of the five pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, between dawn and dusk, worshippers abstain from food, drink, sexual activity, and immoral behavior. 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.
Global food certifications
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