This article provides a clear and straightforward explanation of the dietary rules in Islam, designed for anyone new to the topic. Rooted in the Qur'an, these laws form a complete system that is both clear in its rules and merciful in its application. To begin, we must start with the two most foundational terms.
Halal
This means "permissible and good." It represents the vast majority of foods that Allah has allowed for consumption. The Qur'an encourages believers to "eat from what Allah has provided for you, good and permissible" (5:88) and to "eat from what is on the earth as good and permissible" (2:168).
Haram
This means "forbidden." It refers to a small, specific list of items and categories explicitly prohibited by Allah. These items are designated as forbidden because Allah has identified them as impure, "foul" (6:145), or "vile" (7:157).
Principle of avoiding excess
Before diving into specifics, the first and most important principle of consumption in Islam is to avoid excess. The Qur'an repeatedly states, "eat and drink and do not overindulge; He does not like the over indulgers" (7:31, 6:141). This principle is so critical that other verses warn of a severe recompense for those who overindulge and are wasteful (21:9, 20:127).
With this principle of balance in mind, let's explore what Allah has designated as good and permissible to eat.
All good things are permissible
The foundational rule of Islamic dietary law is one of permission. The Qur'an instructs believers to "eat from what is on the earth as good and permissible" (2:168). This establishes a default state where food is assumed to be allowed unless it is explicitly forbidden or harmful.
The term "good things" primarily refers to foods that are not harmful to the body. While the Qur'an provides a list of specific prohibitions, this general principle of avoiding harm is also a key factor. For example, a deadly mushroom or smoking or poison is not on the explicit list of forbidden items. However, because they are harmful to consume, they would be considered impermissible under this guiding principle (5:4).
Be thankful to Allah
Consuming the good provisions from Allah is viewed as an act of service that should be met with gratitude. The Qur'an states:
2:172O you who believe, eat from the good things We have provided for you, and be thankful to Allah; if it is Him you serve.
One of the ways people show ingratitude is by failing to eat from Allah's good provisions and instead "becoming choosy ourselves" (2:172). As we will see, another form of ingratitude is to forbid what Allah has blessed us with, over-complicating His simple and merciful laws.
What is forbidden (Haram)
The Qur'an outlines a finite list of forbidden food items. The recurring phrase, "He has only forbidden for you..." (2:173, 16:115), emphasizes that this list is exclusive and not open to human additions.
The following four categories are consistently mentioned as the core forbidden items in the Qur'an (2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115).
Carrion (that which is already dead)
This refers to any animal that dies of natural causes, illness, or is found dead before it can be properly slaughtered for consumption.
Blood
This prohibition specifically refers to "running blood" (6:145)—that is, blood that flows from a carcass. Blood that remains within the flesh after proper slaughter is not included in this prohibition.
The meat of pig
The Qur'an explicitly forbids the "meat of pig," describing it as "foul" (6:145). The Qur'an's precise wording—'the meat of pig'—is significant. As shown with other laws where Allah forbade certain fats from cattle for Jewish people (16:146), Allah can designate a specific part of an animal as forbidden. This specificity, according to the Qur'anic text, means that while the meat is always forbidden, other parts like the bone or skin are not explicitly prohibited and would fall under the general rules for livestock (22:34).
Food sacrificed to other than Allah
This refers to any animal or food that has been dedicated or sacrificed in the name of an idol, deity, or any entity other than Allah.
Prohibitions based on method of death
In addition to the core categories, an otherwise permissible animal (like a goat or cow) becomes forbidden if it dies in one of several specified ways. It's important to note a critical exception: if an animal suffers one of these injuries but is still alive and can be properly slaughtered before it dies, its meat remains permissible (5:3). This is due to carrion and running blood being forbidden. If an animal is still alive, then it is not deemed to be carrion and the running blood can still be drained. It becomes difficult to drain the blood from an animal that is already dead and that is why carrion is forbidden.
An animal becomes forbidden if it dies from being:
- Strangled
- Bludgeoned (killed by a violent blow)
- Fallen from a height
- Gored by another animal
- Savaged by a wild animal
Remembering Allah's name
A fundamental requirement for all food to be lawful is that Allah's name is mentioned upon it. The Qur'an commands believers, "eat from that on which the name of Allah has been remembered" (6:118) and warns, "do not eat from that which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for it is wickedness" (6:121). It is important to know that this condition is general and would normally apply to all foods if it had not been narrowed to only living animals which we will see as we read on.
A key distinction in applying this rule is understanding when to mention Allah's name, as this depends on the type of food.
Animal livestock (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats)
"Before the animal is slaughtered, as they are lined up." This requirement is specific to livestock animals as detailed in verses 22:34 and 22:36. This makes it clear that Allah's name must be remembered before killing the animal. Also the animal must be killed in such a way to allow for the running blood to drain away as blood is one of the prohibited food items and cannot be consumed.
Pigs also fall into the category of animal livestock and therefore the same ritual of mentioning Allah's name before slaughter will apply and the blood must be drained. However, the meat of the pig is a prohibited item and cannot be eaten. Only the parts of the pig which are not meat such as bone and skin can be consumed .
Hunted animals and all other foods (e.g., fish, wild animals)
"Before you eat the food." This is derived from the instruction regarding hunted animals (5:4) and the general rule for foods before consumption (6:118). All animals which are not deemed animal livestock can be hunted and consumed such as whales, tigers, eagles, dogs etc, provided the animal was already alive at the time of the hunt and any running blood is drained subsequently. The only requirements are that the name of Allah is mentioned at some point after hunting the animal and before it is eaten.
Special cases and further permissions
The Qur'an provides specific guidance on several food categories to ensure clarity for believers.
Seafood
The "catch of the sea" is made permissible for enjoyment (5:96). Believers can eat "tender meat" from both fresh and saltwater sources (16:14, 35:12), making all seafood Halal. The main condition is to "mention the name of Allah upon it" before consuming it (5:4). Seafood is different to land animals as hunting seafood is permissible at all times.
Hunted land animals
Hunted land animals are permissible to eat. Again the main condition is to "mention the name of Allah upon it" before consuming it (5:4). Note this includes all land animals provided they are not harmful to eat. The only difference between hunting land animals and seafood is that hunting land animals is prohibited when a person is in the state of Ihram at the time of Hajj (5:96). This restriction only applies to the individual.
Food from the people of the book
The food of Christians and Jews is permissible for Muslims to eat (5:5). This applies as long as the food does not fall into one of the forbidden categories. A Muslim may eat chicken prepared by a Christian, but not pork. For their meat to be permissible, they must follow their own religious rituals for slaughter, as the principle of remembrance applies to each nation (22:34). Furthermore, this concession does not compromise the fourth item on the prohibited list which is food sacrificed to other than Allah as in essence the people of the book and the Muslims all follow the same Abrahamic God.
Do not make haram what Allah has permitted
The absolute authority to permit and forbid belongs to Allah alone. A recurring and emphatic theme in the Qur'an is that human beings must not declare foods Haram that Allah has made Halal.
Prohibition on human additions
Believers are commanded, "do not make forbidden the good things that Allah has made permissible to you" (5:87). To invent new prohibitions is described as inventing lies about Allah and following personal desires instead of divine law (10:59, 16:116). This act of over-complicating Allah's law is a form of rebellion against His blessings and a sign of ingratitude.
The prophetic example
This rule is so absolute that even Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) was corrected in the Qur'an for making something forbidden for himself that Allah had permitted (66:1). This demonstrates that the authority to legislate in matters of diet belongs to Allah alone.
The role of the messenger
Prophet Mohammed's (peace be upon him) role was not to create new laws, but to convey Allah's revelations. He was sent to "make permissible for them the good things, and he makes forbidden for them the vile things" (7:157) based on the light that was sent down with him—the Qur'an.
These principles of permission, prohibition, and divine authority come together to form a complete and merciful dietary system.
Diet based on clarity and mercy
The Islamic diet is designed to be clear, straightforward, and based on divine wisdom rather than human invention. It is also merciful, making allowances for human need.
In a situation of dire need, such as extreme hunger or starvation, a person is permitted to consume a forbidden item to survive. The Qur'an states that in such a case, "whoever is forced by severe hunger and not seeking sin, then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful" (5:3, 2:173).
Conclusion
The entire diet can be summarised into three things.
Default of halal (start with "yes")
The vast majority of good, non-harmful foods are Halal. The default rule in Islam is permission, not restriction. The forbidden items are specific, and clearly detailed in the Qur'an: carrion, running blood, the meat of pig, and items sacrificed to any other than Allah. A believer's duty is to know this short list.
Moderation
Enjoy Allah's blessings in full but always in moderation.
Exclusive authority is with Allah
The authority to make these rules belongs to Allah alone. A believer's role is not to add to the list of prohibitions, but to show gratitude by accepting and enjoying all the good things Allah has provided.