Dietary Prohibitions

Quran Talk

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[16:116] You shall not utter lies with your own tongues stating: "This is lawful, and this is unlawful," to fabricate lies and attribute them to GOD. Surely, those who fabricate lies and attribute them to GOD will never succeed.

[2:172] O you who believe, eat from the good things we provided for you, and be thankful to GOD, if you do worship Him alone. [2:173] He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[16:115] He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat of pigs, and food which is dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[6:145] Say, "I do not find in the revelations (wahy) given to me any food that is prohibited for any eater except:

1. carrion,
2. running blood (مَسْفُوحًا (masfūḥan) = poured forth),
3. the meat (وَلَحْمُ) of pigs, for it is contaminated, and
4. the meat of animals blasphemously dedicated to other than GOD."

If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then your Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

Carrion

[5:3] Prohibited for you are animals that die of themselves, blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. (Animals that die of themselves include those) strangled, struck with an object, fallen from a height, gored, attacked by a wild animal—unless you save your animal before it dies ذَكَّيْتُمْ (dhakkaytum = you made fit for food / you slaughtered for food) —and animals sacrificed (ذُبِحَ) on altars. Also prohibited is dividing the meat through a game of chance; this is an abomination. Today, the disbelievers have given up concerning (the eradication of) your religion; do not fear them and fear Me instead. Today, I have completed your religion, perfected My blessing upon you, and I have decreed Submission as the religion for you. If one is forced by famine (to eat prohibited food), without being deliberately sinful, then GOD is Forgiver, Merciful.

ذُبِحَ = dhubiḥa = sacrificed without the intention of it being food

2:49, 14:6, 28:4 - Children of Israel

27:21 - Solomon to the Hoopoe

37:102,107 - Abraham and Ishmael

Meat vs. the Fat

[6:146] For those who are Jewish we prohibited animals with undivided hoofs; and of the cattle and sheep we prohibited the fat, except that which is carried on their backs, or in the viscera, or mixed with bones. That was a retribution for their transgressions, and we are truthful.

4. Animals dedicated to other than God.

Note it doesn’t say animals dedicated to “other than God” as opposed to “not to God”

أُهِلَّ - Uhilla - that which is dedicated at the time of slaughter

What if some food was dedicated to other than God can we eat it?

[5:103] GOD did not prohibit (Bahirah) livestock that begets certain combinations of males and females, nor (Sa’ibah) livestock liberated by an oath, nor (Wasilah) the one that begets two males in a row, nor (Hami) the bull that fathers ten. It is the disbelievers who invented such lies about GOD. Most of them do not understand.

Don’t give powers to the idol worshipers and their innovations

The action is prohibited not the food itself

Dividing the meat through a game of chance.

[6:138] They said, "These are livestock and crops that are prohibited; no one shall eat them except whomever we permit," so they claimed. They also prohibited the riding of certain livestock. Even the livestock they ate, they never pronounced GOD's name upon them (as they sacrificed them). Such are innovations attributed to Him. He will surely requite them for their innovations.

[22:36] The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by GOD for your own good. You shall mention (zikr) GOD's name on them while they are standing in line. Once they have fallen dead (are offered for sacrifice), you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. This is why we subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation.

Altars of Idols & Intoxicants

[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.

We must mention God’s name before we eat.

[6:118] You shall eat from that upon which GOD's name has been pronounced (zikr), if you truly believe in His revelations. [6:119] Why should you not eat from that upon which GOD's name has been mentioned (zikr)? He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are forced. Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of the transgressors. [6:120] You shall avoid obvious sins, as well as the hidden ones. Those who have earned sins will surely pay for their transgressions. [6:121] Do not eat from that upon which the name of GOD has not been mentioned (zikr), for it is an abomination. The devils inspire their allies to argue with you; if you obey them, you will be idol worshipers.

[6:150] Say, "Bring your witnesses who would testify that GOD has prohibited this or that." If they testify, do not testify with them. Nor shall you follow the opinions of those who reject our revelations, and those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, and those who stray away from their Lord.

[5:4] They consult you concerning what is lawful for them; say, "Lawful for you are all good things, including what trained dogs and falcons catch for you." You train them according to GOD's teachings. You may eat what they catch for you, and mention GOD's name thereupon. You shall observe GOD. GOD is most efficient in reckoning.

[16:119] Yet, as regards those who fall in sin out of ignorance then repent thereafter and reform, your Lord, after this is done, is Forgiver, Most Merciful.