Islamic dietary laws

Islamic dietary laws provide a set of rules as to what Muslims are allowed to eat and what they are not. These rules, while based on religion, are also practiced as a means of maintaining health and hygiene. The dietary laws are derived from commands found in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, as well as the Hadith and Sunnah, collections of routines and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Halal

Halal is an Arabic term which means permissible. In terms of food, it refers to food and drinks that are permissible for Muslims under Islamic law, as defined in the Qur'an. The opposite of halal is haram, which means forbidden. In addition to these, a third category, mashbooh, is also recognized, which means doubtful or questionable.

Haram

Haram is an Arabic term meaning forbidden. This term is used to designate food seen as forbidden according to Islamic law. The criteria specify both what foods are allowed, and how the food must be prepared. The foods addressed are mostly types of meat and animal tissue.

Mashbooh

Foods that are not clearly halal or haram fall into the category of mashbooh. These are foods that are not clearly defined in the Islamic doctrine and therefore are considered doubtful.

Dietary Rules

The dietary rules of Islam are based on the teachings of the Qur'an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. They include the following:

• All animals must be slaughtered in the name of Allah.
• The animal must be healthy at the time of slaughter.
• Blood must be drained from the veins.
• Certain animals and birds, such as pigs and vultures, are considered impure and cannot be consumed.
• Intoxicating drinks and drugs are haram.

See Also

• Halal
• Haram
• Mashbooh
• Islamic cuisine
• Islamic culture
• Islamic beliefs

• 
  Islamic dietary laws
• 
  Islamic dietary laws
• 
  Islamic dietary laws
• 
  Islamic dietary laws