Halal and Kosher Food in Qur’an & Bible
Compiled by Engineer Afsaneh Cooper
A. Shi’a Cleric advices Muslims to the correct view to Halal food Shops in Australia
B. Aussie Shi’a Cleric asks Muslims to buy their chocolates from private Muslim Supermarket rather trying to compete with Easter Bunny Chocolate, by producing a halal one for themselves
1. Halal and Haram Food in the Qur’an
In Quran, in the following verses, it has been described what foods are known as halal (lawful) and also haram (unlawful) foods: say: I do not find in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden for an eater to eat of except that it be what has died of itself, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine-- for that surely is unclean-- or that which is a transgression, other than (the name of) allah having been invoked on it; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely your lord is forgiving, merciful Therefore eat of what allah has given you, lawful and good (things), and give thanks for allah's favor if him do you serve He has only forbidden you what dies of itself and blood and flesh of swine and that over which any other name than that of allah has been invoked, but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely allah is forgiving, merciful And, for what your tongues describe, do not utter the lie, (saying) this is lawful and this is unlawful, in order to forge a lie against allah; surely those who forge the lie against allah shall not prosper Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of allah has been invoked, and the strangled (animal) and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter, and what is sacrificed on stones set up (for idols) and that you divide by the arrows; that is a transgression. this day have those who disbelieve despaired of your religion, so fear them not, and fear me. this day have i perfected for you your religion and completed my favor on you and chosen for you islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely allah is forgiving, merciful They ask you as to what is allowed to them. say: the good things are allowed to you, and what you have taught the beasts and birds of prey, training them to hunt-- you teach them of what allah has taught you-- so eat of that which they catch for you and mention the name of allah over it; and be careful of (your duty to) allah; surely allah is swift in reckoning This day (all) the good things are allowed to you; and the food of those who have been given the book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them; and the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who have been given the book before you (are lawful for you); when you have given them their dowries, taking (them) in marriage, not fornicating nor taking them for paramours in secret; and whoever denies faith, his work indeed is of no account, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers Therefore eat of that on which allah's name has been mentioned if you are believers in his communications And what reason have you that you should not eat of that on which allah's name has been mentioned, and he has already made plain to you what he has forbidden to you-- excepting what you are compelled to; and most surely many would lead (people) astray by their low desires out of ignorance; surely your lord-- he best knows those who exceed the limits And do not eat of that on which Allah's name has not been mentioned, and that is most surely a transgression; and most surely the shaitans suggest to their friends that they should contend with you; and if you obey them, you shall most surely be polytheists O’ you who believe! Do not forbid (yourselves) the good things which Allah has made lawful for you and do not exceed the limits; surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits and eat of the lawful and good (things) that Allah has given you, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, in whom you believe O’ you who believe! Intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an uncleanness, the Shaitan's work; shun it therefore that you may be successful lawful to you is the game of the sea and its food, a provision for you and for the travellers, and the game of the land is forbidden to you so long as you are on pilgrimage, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, to whom you shall be gathered Say: tell me what Allah has sent down for you of sustenance, then you make (a part) of it unlawful and (a part) lawful. Say: has Allah commanded you, or do you forge a lie against Allah? And he it is who has made the sea subservient that you may eat fresh flesh from it and bring forth from it ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships cleaving through it, and that you might seek of his bounty and that you may give thanks O’ children of Adam! attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer, and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely he does not love the extravagant O’ messengers! Eat of the good things and do good; surely I know what you do. O’ men! Eat the lawful and good things out of what is in the earth, and do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy Allah is he who made the cattle for you that you may ride on some of them, and some of them you eat
2. Ruling of Grand Ayatullah about Haram and Halal food
3. Questions from Ayatollah M.F. Lankarani about Non-Muslims' Food
Q1: What is your ruling on food prepared by the Ahlul Kitab? Can we eat it, and should we (from an Akhlaaqi point of view) eat their cooking as long as nothing forbidden is in it?
A1: If their food does not contain any haram ingredients like haram meat, fat and intoxicating liquid, it is permissible to eat it.
Q2: Many grocery stores in North America and Europe which are run and owned by non-Muslims sell forbidden products and also are now carrying “halal” meat – both slaughtered by Muslims who are known to be Muslims and to be slaughtered according to Islam and also others which only bear a label of “halal” however we do not know its actual source. What is the rule on buying this meat?
A2: They can use the meat only when they are certain that the meat is halal.
Q3: What is your opinion on Muslims eating in non-Muslim or even Muslim owned and operated restaurants which serve halal food however also serve alcoholic drinks? If the alcohol is not being consumed at our table, does this change the ruling?
A3: If there is no alcoholic drink on your table, there is no problem in eating in these restaurants. Yes, if going to restaurants where alcoholic liquids are served is degrading for a Muslim, it is not permissible to eat in there.
4. Guidance of Islam about Food and Eating Habits
Forbidden substances in Islam
By the above sanctions, God provoked human beings to endeavor to indulge in protection, conservation, nutrition, and health of their livestock; and God ordered them to save the livestock from getting lost, strangled, beaten, thrown from a height, attacked in a battle of animals [aroused especially by man] and being attacked by wild animals; in addition, God orders them to protect livestock from the evil and cruel people who stimulate animals to battle against each other for humans’ fun and entertainment.
In reply to why carrion is prohibited to be eaten, Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said:
” The blood freezes in the carrion and it returns to its body, so its meat gets indigestible and unpleasant because its meat is eaten with its blood.”
Many diseases are transmitted through blood. Sometimes the microbe itself and pathogenic factors and sometimes secreted toxicity which come from them can be transmitted through the blood to different parts of the body. In many other cases, under the conditions of a disease, various changes emerge in blood composition and perhaps one of the reasons for slaughtering the Halal meat animals is due to the same reason.
From the sanitary point of view, flesh of swine can contain the following contamination:
And he was quoted in another position,
a person who eats soil seems to have helped in killing himself.
Food recommendations:
In the Quran (95:1) God has sworn by
“figs and olives” and scientists also have found lots of benefits for these two fruits.
Imam Ali (PBUH) says: “Eat dates because dates cure many pains.”
In another case, Imam Ali (PBUH) says:
“Eating quince strengthens weak hearts, scents kidneys, purifies hearts, and makes timid persons brave and valiant.”
It is quoted in the Holy Quran about honey (16:69):
“In which there is healing for men.”
The healing effects of honey have been proved these days.
From preparation to consumption
In many situations, pathogenic factors of the atmosphere land on the fruits, use the nutrition and also secrete poison which is harmful for human’s health. Eating these fruits and vegetables before washing them, causes poisoning or getting diseases.
Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said:
“There is poison in every fruit, wash them with water before eating”.
Foodstuffs are favorable environments for microbe’s growth. If people protect food from dust, they will be protected from getting these diseases.
Another saying is quoted from Imam Sadiq (PBUH) that:
“Always cover dishes, if they are not covered, Satan will spit in the dishes and also takes some of the food.”
In the above Hadith, the nutrition of microbes from foodstuffs and the toxicant they secrete is obviously mentioned.
Imam Kazem (PBUH) said:
“Close the water and food container because Satan doesn’t open the closed dishes.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:
“Blowing in food, removes the blessing of it”.
Blowing in foods and drinking water which are suitable environments for the growth and development of bacteria is contrary to health, and lead to the spread of diseases.
When Imam Ali (PBUH) was going to bazaar, He told the butchers:
“Whoever blows in meat is not our followers”.
Today we know that in this case, there’s a possibility of contamination to carbonic anhydride and microbes.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said repeatedly:
“Do not place meat napkin in your room because it is dorm and barn of the devil and don’t put dust and debris in the back of the room or at home because it is the shelter of the devil.”
According to the Quran (12:47) God says:
“You shall sow for seven years continuously, then what you reap leave it in its ear except a little of which you eat.”
Healthy plants have insecticidal compounds; even the chemical which is secreted by the plant and is available in the thin layer of moisture on the leaf surface, prevents the growth of fungi. In many guidelines, covering foods and keeping them is emphasized and we know that in the long-term of maintaining food, their exposure to air causes oxidation and spoilage of food.
Water is highly regarded as one of the blessings of God. In the Quran (77:27) God says
“And made therein lofty mountains, and given you to drink of sweet water?”
One of the ways of water filtering is to pass it from different layers. As a result, waste and germs stay amidst the pores and from beneath, fresh water flows. As the above verse states, there’s a direct relation between the height of mountains and fresh water; which means the more the height of the mountain is the more the natural purification of water will be. In addition to flowing through the layers of mountain, waterfalls and bottlenecks of valleys and foaming, water receives a lot of air and oxygen and increases its cleanliness and cleansing power. Avicenna believed in spreading of diseases through water as he stated in his book “The Canon of Medicine” and he believed that the reason is for the foul smelling components of water which cause infection in the body.
Imam Sajjad (PBUH) said: “The greatest way of cholera spreading is through water”.
In the Quran (13:17), God mentions water as a stable and persistent blessing on the earth. In this verse, it is talked about water cycle in the world and we know that hydrology scientists have proved that the amount of water in the world is fixed and circulates in different states (solid, liquid, gas). It is also noted in the Quran (25:48) that:
“And We send down pure water from the sky (clouds)”.
It is mentioned in the Islamic laws (Islamic Jurisdiction) that water is a cleaner if its color and smell is not changed. It is also stated that water in the bathroom should be so clean that people would like to drink some of it.
Imam Sadiq (PBUH) says:
“Whoever brushes his teeth should also rinse out his mouth with water”
and this states the importance of hygienic water. Imam Ali (PBUH) says:
“Lord of the universe made the water clean and with a cleansing nature so nothing can make it filthy unless the color, taste and smell of water change.”
5. Health benefits of halal diet
A halal diet can be beneficial by helping to reduce a person's cholesterol, saturated fat, and alcohol intake. Halal, meaning condoned or allowed in Arabic, is the diet and lifestyle of the followers of Islam. It involves the restriction of a range of foods, including pork, from one's diet as well abstinence from alcohol. When a person follows this diet in addition to eating other healthy foods, he may have less risk of certain health problems.
This diet is particularly beneficial when a dieter focuses on eating healthily overall in addition to the restrictions the eating plan dictates. The halal diet typically excludes a range of foods, including pork or pig byproducts, foods that still contain animal blood, predatory birds, and animals that died for any reason other than being slaughtered for food.
Land animals that do not have visible ears are prohibited as well. Additionally, people who follow this diet avoid meats that were not slaughtered according to the Islamic law. Another potential benefit of this type of eating plan is the prohibition of alcohol. When alcohol is consumed in excess, it can be very dangerous to the organs, including the liver, pancreas, and brain.
Over-consumption of alcohol may also cause stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. Going on a halal diet can ensure that the organs are not negatively affected. Additionally, alcohol adds extra calories to one's diet, which can be a problem for a person interested in losing weight.
The Quran and traditions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH and his progeny) teach us to cherish good health and realize its true value as one of God’s countless bounties.
“And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'” (Quran 14:7)
The Quran contains many verses of advice about healthy eating that relate to the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual health. Encouragement to eat only good and pure food is often combined with warnings to remember God. Healthy eating not only satisfies hunger but also has an effect on how well we worship.
“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth that is lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Quran 2:168)
True believers need healthy bodies and minds in order to worship God in the correct way. To maintain a sound mind, a pure heart and a healthy body special attention must be paid to health. The heart and the mind are nourished by remembrance of God, and worship performed in a lawful way, and the body is nourished by partaking of the good and lawful food God has provided. Attention to diet and nutrition is a part of the holistic health system inherent in Islam.
6. What is Halal and Haram Food?
Under Islamic law, there are food restrictions. For that matter, there are dietary restrictions in virtually every religion – many Catholics, for example, still forego meat on Fridays.
Under Islamic law, there are food restrictions. For that matter, there are dietary restrictions in virtually every religion – many Catholics, for example, still forego meat on Fridays. That’s why many restaurants, and even fast food outlets typically offer fish burgers as their Friday special!
Halal Food
Under Islamic law, there are food restrictions. For that matter, there are dietary restrictions in virtually every religion – many Catholics, for example, still forego meat on Fridays. That’s why many restaurants, and even fast food outlets typically offer fish burgers as their Friday special!
You’d be mistaken, though, if you think that Muslims are forbidden all kinds of foods. Muslim dietary laws probably compare most closely with Jewish dietary laws, because of the restrictions on pork and blood. When it comes to seafood, though, Muslims have the advantage – they’re able to enjoy shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, and all kinds of delights that are forbidden to Jewish people.
Halal
Muslims are permitted to eat “halal” – in other words, foods that are “good” as defined in the Qu’ran. There is little that isn’t permitted, and Muslims can enjoy many foods that are nourishing, wholesome, and tasty.
Haram
Muslims can eat anything that is not specifically prohibited, or “haram.” This is in the interests of cleanliness and health, and also out of obedience to God. Under Islamic law, the following foods are prohibited:
Islamic Slaughtering
For meat to be Halal, the animal must have been killed quickly and mercifully by having its throat slit. The words “In the name of God, God is most great” must be spoken, in acknowledgement that all life is sacred, and that one may kill only to eat, and only with God’s permission. Then, the animal must be thoroughly bled before the meat is consumed. Meat thus prepared is called halal meat, or zabihah.
Some Muslims refuse meat if they can’t be sure that it was properly slaughtered, placing great importance on humane treatment, proper bleeding, and the remembrance of God. Others, particularly those who live in predominantly Christian areas, hold that it is sufficient to pronounce the name of God when the meat is being eaten. In that way, they’re able to consume commercial meat, with the exception of pork. This belief is justified by verse 5:5 of the Qu’ran, suggesting that the food of both Christians and Jews is acceptable for Muslims.
The Implications of Following Halal
For observant Muslims, observing the dietary laws conflicts very little with work, school, and other activities. There are always healthy, “legal” choices when dining out with non-Muslim friends, going to lunch with co-workers, and attending social functions. When in doubt, one simply avoids meat and animal fats.
So, can Muslims socialize with their non-Muslim friends without awkwardness? Of course they can. They just won’t be ordering a ham sandwich, or drinking a beer.
7. Kosher Food in the Bible
What Is Kosher? – General Overview
Kosher is a process of food production that adheres to dietary guidelines set forth in the Bible and clarified over the centuries by rabbinic authorities in Jewish law.
Kosher observance is a historical, communal, and personal commitment, and a connection to the will of the Creator. To those who observe kosher, its concepts also offer reminders of lessons in kindness and sensitivity to animals, attention to detail in everyday matters, self-control, and thinking before acting.
The eternal principles of kosher are applicable to even the most modern food production methods. They guide how foods are chosen and processed, the quality and integrity of the ingredients, and the security of food prep areas, to ensure that the status of the food and equipment is never compromised.
Kosher means “fit” or “proper”– a concept associated with cleanliness, purity and extra supervision.
Kosher food is by nature more controlled than many other means of food production.
While kosher is primarily an ethical or faith-based observance, there are some potential benefits to eating kosher.
For instance, kosher menus separate dairy from meat products. It is interesting to observe that it is recognized that iron and calcium are not absorbed well when ingested together (“Does Calcium Interfere with Iron Absorption?” Leif Hallberg, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, 1998).
Another kosher procedure, the mandatory salting and rinsing of meat and poultry, has been studied for its ability to reduce the incidence of bacteria under certain conditions. (“Persistence of Salmonella Serotypes on Chicken Skin after Exposure To Kosher Salt And Rinsing”, Oscar, Thomas P., Journal of Food Safety 07/2008; 28(3):389 – 399. DOI:10.1111/j.1745-4565.2008.00107.x )
The meticulous nature of kosher menu planning can help consumers understand what is in their food. People with food preferences or sensitivities, including vegans, vegetarians, and those wishing to avoid dairy ingredients, could use kosher status information to make decisions about what they choose to eat. Kosher food standards are more demanding than those of the FDA, which allow ingredients of less than 2% to be omitted on food labels, yet kosher certifying agencies find these to be of significance down to 0% in some special cases. For instance, food production on “dairy” equipment without the actual presence of dairy ingredients is noted on the kosher label.
What Makes Food Kosher?
While many people may think that a blessing by a rabbi changes food into kosher, this is not the case. It is also not true that any “kosher” meat listed in the Torah, such as beef or lamb, is automatically kosher. There are many steps that have to be completed before a piece of steak is considered kosher.
The kosher process is a detailed, technical procedure of following rules and guidelines. This process has several parts, and they are all necessary for the final result. It’s important to realize that the kosher process is not a magical, or a purely spiritual event (even though kosher is a way to connect physical food with spirituality and holiness).
Imagine a crab or a lobster. The Torah says it is a non-kosher animal. This cannot change. No blessing, no matter by how great a rabbi, or by how many rabbis gathered together, can change an essentially non-kosher creature into kosher. Other types of foods, such as beef and chicken, milk and spices, oils and juices and many more — that COULD be kosher according to the Bible and Jewish Law, will only be considered kosher once the Torah guidelines are met. The lack of blessing will not prevent the product from being kosher.
Why the rabbi is needed?
If the rabbi doesn’t make a blessing to make the food kosher, what does he do in the kosher certification process? To understand the role of the rabbi in the process, it helps to know that “rabbi” does not mean “priest” or “minister” in Hebrew – instead, it means “G-d-fearing person of great learning and knowledge”.
And the word “kosher” does not mean “holy”, but rather “proper and fit”.
The laws of kosher, while complex and spiritually-based, are also very technical. So a well-trained and knowledgeable person of integrity, a rabbi, and sometimes more than one, must be involved in kosher food production.
Pathway to kosher
The Bible tells us what types of animals, fish, and fowl are permitted — so it seems that all we have to do is buy a chicken or a side of beef, and it will be kosher. However, there is a bit more to it. We have to make sure that ALL the requirements of the Torah are met before we can call a food kosher. These requirements are different, depending on the food product involved.
Let’s take meat for an example. First, meat has to come from a kosher animal source. It’s pretty well known that beef is a kosher animal source, and pigs are not. But after the cow is selected, it needs to be checked for overall health. Then it must be slaughtered according to the Torah guidelines by a shochet, a rabbi expert in this area.
The Torah’s extra health requirements
But this meat is still not yet considered kosher. It needs to be checked by a specialized rabbi for internal signs of ill health. For example, if he finds certain lung “adhesions” — growths that show there was once disease in that location, it is a problem. Such a cow, or a cow with any other Torah “health” issue, will be sent to a different line to be processed as non-kosher. Its area and equipment must be cleaned well so that the next cow does not come into contact with any residue from the non-kosher beef.
No blood
If the animal passes the test, then the blood must be removed from the meat, since the Torah does not allow the blood to be eaten. This has to be done within a certain time limit. Once the meat is cut into pieces, it will be rinsed, salted, and rinsed again. Only after all of these steps are taken properly, can the meat from this cow be called “kosher”.
Equipment has kosher status, too
But we have to be careful. The kosher status of the meat could still change, for instance, if it comes into contact with non-kosher foods or equipment that has been previously used for non-kosher. In fact, one of the kosher certification rabbi’s most important jobs is to “re-kosher” those utensils and machinery, to avoid any contact with previous traces of non-kosher residue.
A helpful comparison
It might help to compare the kosher process to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) approval process. To be approved, all the food components must pass a quality inspection. But that is not enough to gain the USDA seal. Certain products must be washed in water. But water may also not be enough. Perhaps there is a certain additive that must be in the water. Maybe the water has to be kept at a certain temperature. It also has to be kept separate from contaminants. All of these steps are absolutely required in order for the food to gain the USDA seal of approval. Similarly, so many steps, and so many specialized people are involved in the production of kosher meat — and all of the steps must be followed, or else that meat is not kosher at all.
Kosher + Kosher = Not Kosher?
The above process produces kosher meat. Cheese products follow another process. So let’s say we now have two kosher products in front of us: kosher meat and kosher cheese. You might think they should combine together for a lovely kosher sandwich. But according to the Torah, these two items, meat and dairy, though kosher on their own, may not ever be mixed together. Just as in chemistry, the combination of two different elements may result in a new compound with a different status and different characteristics from the original two substances. So too, combining kosher meat with kosher cheese creates a completely new, non-kosher item.
Meat and fish combinations, and sometimes fish and milk, are restricted as well.
Another way to think about all of this is to compare it to human nutrition. A food may be healthy in and of itself, but eating too much of it or combining it with another food could be unhealthy.
Does kosher apply to anything other than food?
The word “kosher” is associated mainly with food, but since it means “proper and fit”, or “acceptable according to Torah Law,” it is sometimes used in other contexts. For instance, there is a Biblical prohibition of mixing wool and linen. Some clothing manufacturers have their garments tested and certified to be free of this mixture, and their garments are “kosher” for use — complete with a certification label sewn inside the jacket.
Anyone can keep kosher
Anyone who takes upon him or herself to observe the guidelines and Torah laws of kashrus will be keeping kosher.
With all of these details and many steps, each of them with spiritual significance, and requiring knowledge, honesty and discipline, you can see the depth of the trust the consumer invests in the producer and the kosher supervisor for something very meaningful to them.
A. Shi’a Cleric advices Muslims to the correct view to Halal food Shops in Australia
B. Aussie Shi’a Cleric asks Muslims to buy their chocolates from private Muslim Supermarket rather trying to compete with Easter Bunny Chocolate, by producing a halal one for themselves
1. Halal and Haram Food in the Qur’an
In Quran, in the following verses, it has been described what foods are known as halal (lawful) and also haram (unlawful) foods: say: I do not find in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden for an eater to eat of except that it be what has died of itself, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine-- for that surely is unclean-- or that which is a transgression, other than (the name of) allah having been invoked on it; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely your lord is forgiving, merciful Therefore eat of what allah has given you, lawful and good (things), and give thanks for allah's favor if him do you serve He has only forbidden you what dies of itself and blood and flesh of swine and that over which any other name than that of allah has been invoked, but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely allah is forgiving, merciful And, for what your tongues describe, do not utter the lie, (saying) this is lawful and this is unlawful, in order to forge a lie against allah; surely those who forge the lie against allah shall not prosper Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of allah has been invoked, and the strangled (animal) and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter, and what is sacrificed on stones set up (for idols) and that you divide by the arrows; that is a transgression. this day have those who disbelieve despaired of your religion, so fear them not, and fear me. this day have i perfected for you your religion and completed my favor on you and chosen for you islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely allah is forgiving, merciful They ask you as to what is allowed to them. say: the good things are allowed to you, and what you have taught the beasts and birds of prey, training them to hunt-- you teach them of what allah has taught you-- so eat of that which they catch for you and mention the name of allah over it; and be careful of (your duty to) allah; surely allah is swift in reckoning This day (all) the good things are allowed to you; and the food of those who have been given the book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them; and the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who have been given the book before you (are lawful for you); when you have given them their dowries, taking (them) in marriage, not fornicating nor taking them for paramours in secret; and whoever denies faith, his work indeed is of no account, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers Therefore eat of that on which allah's name has been mentioned if you are believers in his communications And what reason have you that you should not eat of that on which allah's name has been mentioned, and he has already made plain to you what he has forbidden to you-- excepting what you are compelled to; and most surely many would lead (people) astray by their low desires out of ignorance; surely your lord-- he best knows those who exceed the limits And do not eat of that on which Allah's name has not been mentioned, and that is most surely a transgression; and most surely the shaitans suggest to their friends that they should contend with you; and if you obey them, you shall most surely be polytheists O’ you who believe! Do not forbid (yourselves) the good things which Allah has made lawful for you and do not exceed the limits; surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits and eat of the lawful and good (things) that Allah has given you, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, in whom you believe O’ you who believe! Intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an uncleanness, the Shaitan's work; shun it therefore that you may be successful lawful to you is the game of the sea and its food, a provision for you and for the travellers, and the game of the land is forbidden to you so long as you are on pilgrimage, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, to whom you shall be gathered Say: tell me what Allah has sent down for you of sustenance, then you make (a part) of it unlawful and (a part) lawful. Say: has Allah commanded you, or do you forge a lie against Allah? And he it is who has made the sea subservient that you may eat fresh flesh from it and bring forth from it ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships cleaving through it, and that you might seek of his bounty and that you may give thanks O’ children of Adam! attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer, and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely he does not love the extravagant O’ messengers! Eat of the good things and do good; surely I know what you do. O’ men! Eat the lawful and good things out of what is in the earth, and do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy Allah is he who made the cattle for you that you may ride on some of them, and some of them you eat
2. Ruling of Grand Ayatullah about Haram and Halal food
3. Questions from Ayatollah M.F. Lankarani about Non-Muslims' Food
Q1: What is your ruling on food prepared by the Ahlul Kitab? Can we eat it, and should we (from an Akhlaaqi point of view) eat their cooking as long as nothing forbidden is in it?
A1: If their food does not contain any haram ingredients like haram meat, fat and intoxicating liquid, it is permissible to eat it.
Q2: Many grocery stores in North America and Europe which are run and owned by non-Muslims sell forbidden products and also are now carrying “halal” meat – both slaughtered by Muslims who are known to be Muslims and to be slaughtered according to Islam and also others which only bear a label of “halal” however we do not know its actual source. What is the rule on buying this meat?
A2: They can use the meat only when they are certain that the meat is halal.
Q3: What is your opinion on Muslims eating in non-Muslim or even Muslim owned and operated restaurants which serve halal food however also serve alcoholic drinks? If the alcohol is not being consumed at our table, does this change the ruling?
A3: If there is no alcoholic drink on your table, there is no problem in eating in these restaurants. Yes, if going to restaurants where alcoholic liquids are served is degrading for a Muslim, it is not permissible to eat in there.
4. Guidance of Islam about Food and Eating Habits
Forbidden substances in Islam
- Slaughtered animals that any other name than that of Allah has been invoked
- Strangled animals
- An animal that was killed by beating
- An animal which died by falling from a high place
- An animal that was killed by being smitten by the horn of another animal
- Animals eaten by wild animals
- An animal that is sacrificed for idols
By the above sanctions, God provoked human beings to endeavor to indulge in protection, conservation, nutrition, and health of their livestock; and God ordered them to save the livestock from getting lost, strangled, beaten, thrown from a height, attacked in a battle of animals [aroused especially by man] and being attacked by wild animals; in addition, God orders them to protect livestock from the evil and cruel people who stimulate animals to battle against each other for humans’ fun and entertainment.
In reply to why carrion is prohibited to be eaten, Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said:
” The blood freezes in the carrion and it returns to its body, so its meat gets indigestible and unpleasant because its meat is eaten with its blood.”
Many diseases are transmitted through blood. Sometimes the microbe itself and pathogenic factors and sometimes secreted toxicity which come from them can be transmitted through the blood to different parts of the body. In many other cases, under the conditions of a disease, various changes emerge in blood composition and perhaps one of the reasons for slaughtering the Halal meat animals is due to the same reason.
From the sanitary point of view, flesh of swine can contain the following contamination:
- Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
- One of the instances of forbidden ones is geophagy. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
And he was quoted in another position,
a person who eats soil seems to have helped in killing himself.
- According to the Quran (5:91) God says: “Satan only desires to cause enmity and hatred to spring in your midst by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you off from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you then desist?”
- God states elsewhere (4:43):
”O’ you who believe! do not go near prayer when you are intoxicated until you know (well) what you say” - According to the Quran (2:219):
“They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: in both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit.” - Alcohol leaves harmful effects on the digestive system, the blood circulation, the peripheral and central nervous system, and on the kidney and it has also many social losses.
Food recommendations:
In the Quran (95:1) God has sworn by
“figs and olives” and scientists also have found lots of benefits for these two fruits.
Imam Ali (PBUH) says: “Eat dates because dates cure many pains.”
In another case, Imam Ali (PBUH) says:
“Eating quince strengthens weak hearts, scents kidneys, purifies hearts, and makes timid persons brave and valiant.”
It is quoted in the Holy Quran about honey (16:69):
“In which there is healing for men.”
The healing effects of honey have been proved these days.
From preparation to consumption
In many situations, pathogenic factors of the atmosphere land on the fruits, use the nutrition and also secrete poison which is harmful for human’s health. Eating these fruits and vegetables before washing them, causes poisoning or getting diseases.
Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said:
“There is poison in every fruit, wash them with water before eating”.
Foodstuffs are favorable environments for microbe’s growth. If people protect food from dust, they will be protected from getting these diseases.
Another saying is quoted from Imam Sadiq (PBUH) that:
“Always cover dishes, if they are not covered, Satan will spit in the dishes and also takes some of the food.”
In the above Hadith, the nutrition of microbes from foodstuffs and the toxicant they secrete is obviously mentioned.
Imam Kazem (PBUH) said:
“Close the water and food container because Satan doesn’t open the closed dishes.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:
“Blowing in food, removes the blessing of it”.
Blowing in foods and drinking water which are suitable environments for the growth and development of bacteria is contrary to health, and lead to the spread of diseases.
When Imam Ali (PBUH) was going to bazaar, He told the butchers:
“Whoever blows in meat is not our followers”.
Today we know that in this case, there’s a possibility of contamination to carbonic anhydride and microbes.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said repeatedly:
“Do not place meat napkin in your room because it is dorm and barn of the devil and don’t put dust and debris in the back of the room or at home because it is the shelter of the devil.”
According to the Quran (12:47) God says:
“You shall sow for seven years continuously, then what you reap leave it in its ear except a little of which you eat.”
Healthy plants have insecticidal compounds; even the chemical which is secreted by the plant and is available in the thin layer of moisture on the leaf surface, prevents the growth of fungi. In many guidelines, covering foods and keeping them is emphasized and we know that in the long-term of maintaining food, their exposure to air causes oxidation and spoilage of food.
Water is highly regarded as one of the blessings of God. In the Quran (77:27) God says
“And made therein lofty mountains, and given you to drink of sweet water?”
One of the ways of water filtering is to pass it from different layers. As a result, waste and germs stay amidst the pores and from beneath, fresh water flows. As the above verse states, there’s a direct relation between the height of mountains and fresh water; which means the more the height of the mountain is the more the natural purification of water will be. In addition to flowing through the layers of mountain, waterfalls and bottlenecks of valleys and foaming, water receives a lot of air and oxygen and increases its cleanliness and cleansing power. Avicenna believed in spreading of diseases through water as he stated in his book “The Canon of Medicine” and he believed that the reason is for the foul smelling components of water which cause infection in the body.
Imam Sajjad (PBUH) said: “The greatest way of cholera spreading is through water”.
In the Quran (13:17), God mentions water as a stable and persistent blessing on the earth. In this verse, it is talked about water cycle in the world and we know that hydrology scientists have proved that the amount of water in the world is fixed and circulates in different states (solid, liquid, gas). It is also noted in the Quran (25:48) that:
“And We send down pure water from the sky (clouds)”.
It is mentioned in the Islamic laws (Islamic Jurisdiction) that water is a cleaner if its color and smell is not changed. It is also stated that water in the bathroom should be so clean that people would like to drink some of it.
Imam Sadiq (PBUH) says:
“Whoever brushes his teeth should also rinse out his mouth with water”
and this states the importance of hygienic water. Imam Ali (PBUH) says:
“Lord of the universe made the water clean and with a cleansing nature so nothing can make it filthy unless the color, taste and smell of water change.”
5. Health benefits of halal diet
A halal diet can be beneficial by helping to reduce a person's cholesterol, saturated fat, and alcohol intake. Halal, meaning condoned or allowed in Arabic, is the diet and lifestyle of the followers of Islam. It involves the restriction of a range of foods, including pork, from one's diet as well abstinence from alcohol. When a person follows this diet in addition to eating other healthy foods, he may have less risk of certain health problems.
This diet is particularly beneficial when a dieter focuses on eating healthily overall in addition to the restrictions the eating plan dictates. The halal diet typically excludes a range of foods, including pork or pig byproducts, foods that still contain animal blood, predatory birds, and animals that died for any reason other than being slaughtered for food.
Land animals that do not have visible ears are prohibited as well. Additionally, people who follow this diet avoid meats that were not slaughtered according to the Islamic law. Another potential benefit of this type of eating plan is the prohibition of alcohol. When alcohol is consumed in excess, it can be very dangerous to the organs, including the liver, pancreas, and brain.
Over-consumption of alcohol may also cause stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. Going on a halal diet can ensure that the organs are not negatively affected. Additionally, alcohol adds extra calories to one's diet, which can be a problem for a person interested in losing weight.
The Quran and traditions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH and his progeny) teach us to cherish good health and realize its true value as one of God’s countless bounties.
“And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'” (Quran 14:7)
The Quran contains many verses of advice about healthy eating that relate to the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual health. Encouragement to eat only good and pure food is often combined with warnings to remember God. Healthy eating not only satisfies hunger but also has an effect on how well we worship.
“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth that is lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Quran 2:168)
True believers need healthy bodies and minds in order to worship God in the correct way. To maintain a sound mind, a pure heart and a healthy body special attention must be paid to health. The heart and the mind are nourished by remembrance of God, and worship performed in a lawful way, and the body is nourished by partaking of the good and lawful food God has provided. Attention to diet and nutrition is a part of the holistic health system inherent in Islam.
6. What is Halal and Haram Food?
Under Islamic law, there are food restrictions. For that matter, there are dietary restrictions in virtually every religion – many Catholics, for example, still forego meat on Fridays.
Under Islamic law, there are food restrictions. For that matter, there are dietary restrictions in virtually every religion – many Catholics, for example, still forego meat on Fridays. That’s why many restaurants, and even fast food outlets typically offer fish burgers as their Friday special!
Halal Food
Under Islamic law, there are food restrictions. For that matter, there are dietary restrictions in virtually every religion – many Catholics, for example, still forego meat on Fridays. That’s why many restaurants, and even fast food outlets typically offer fish burgers as their Friday special!
You’d be mistaken, though, if you think that Muslims are forbidden all kinds of foods. Muslim dietary laws probably compare most closely with Jewish dietary laws, because of the restrictions on pork and blood. When it comes to seafood, though, Muslims have the advantage – they’re able to enjoy shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, and all kinds of delights that are forbidden to Jewish people.
Halal
Muslims are permitted to eat “halal” – in other words, foods that are “good” as defined in the Qu’ran. There is little that isn’t permitted, and Muslims can enjoy many foods that are nourishing, wholesome, and tasty.
Haram
Muslims can eat anything that is not specifically prohibited, or “haram.” This is in the interests of cleanliness and health, and also out of obedience to God. Under Islamic law, the following foods are prohibited:
- Dead meat (meaning the carcass of an animal that has been found dead)
- Meat of an animal that has been used as a sacrifice
- Meat from an animal that has been strangled or bludgeoned to death
- Meat from which a wild animal has eaten
- Alcoholic drinks
Many people, regardless of their religion, would naturally shy away from some of these foods. And of course, there are a number of people who don’t drink alcohol for various reasons. With all the other options available, foregoing pork isn’t really all that much of a hardship.
Islamic Slaughtering
For meat to be Halal, the animal must have been killed quickly and mercifully by having its throat slit. The words “In the name of God, God is most great” must be spoken, in acknowledgement that all life is sacred, and that one may kill only to eat, and only with God’s permission. Then, the animal must be thoroughly bled before the meat is consumed. Meat thus prepared is called halal meat, or zabihah.
Some Muslims refuse meat if they can’t be sure that it was properly slaughtered, placing great importance on humane treatment, proper bleeding, and the remembrance of God. Others, particularly those who live in predominantly Christian areas, hold that it is sufficient to pronounce the name of God when the meat is being eaten. In that way, they’re able to consume commercial meat, with the exception of pork. This belief is justified by verse 5:5 of the Qu’ran, suggesting that the food of both Christians and Jews is acceptable for Muslims.
The Implications of Following Halal
For observant Muslims, observing the dietary laws conflicts very little with work, school, and other activities. There are always healthy, “legal” choices when dining out with non-Muslim friends, going to lunch with co-workers, and attending social functions. When in doubt, one simply avoids meat and animal fats.
So, can Muslims socialize with their non-Muslim friends without awkwardness? Of course they can. They just won’t be ordering a ham sandwich, or drinking a beer.
7. Kosher Food in the Bible
What Is Kosher? – General Overview
Kosher is a process of food production that adheres to dietary guidelines set forth in the Bible and clarified over the centuries by rabbinic authorities in Jewish law.
Kosher observance is a historical, communal, and personal commitment, and a connection to the will of the Creator. To those who observe kosher, its concepts also offer reminders of lessons in kindness and sensitivity to animals, attention to detail in everyday matters, self-control, and thinking before acting.
The eternal principles of kosher are applicable to even the most modern food production methods. They guide how foods are chosen and processed, the quality and integrity of the ingredients, and the security of food prep areas, to ensure that the status of the food and equipment is never compromised.
Kosher means “fit” or “proper”– a concept associated with cleanliness, purity and extra supervision.
Kosher food is by nature more controlled than many other means of food production.
While kosher is primarily an ethical or faith-based observance, there are some potential benefits to eating kosher.
For instance, kosher menus separate dairy from meat products. It is interesting to observe that it is recognized that iron and calcium are not absorbed well when ingested together (“Does Calcium Interfere with Iron Absorption?” Leif Hallberg, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, 1998).
Another kosher procedure, the mandatory salting and rinsing of meat and poultry, has been studied for its ability to reduce the incidence of bacteria under certain conditions. (“Persistence of Salmonella Serotypes on Chicken Skin after Exposure To Kosher Salt And Rinsing”, Oscar, Thomas P., Journal of Food Safety 07/2008; 28(3):389 – 399. DOI:10.1111/j.1745-4565.2008.00107.x )
The meticulous nature of kosher menu planning can help consumers understand what is in their food. People with food preferences or sensitivities, including vegans, vegetarians, and those wishing to avoid dairy ingredients, could use kosher status information to make decisions about what they choose to eat. Kosher food standards are more demanding than those of the FDA, which allow ingredients of less than 2% to be omitted on food labels, yet kosher certifying agencies find these to be of significance down to 0% in some special cases. For instance, food production on “dairy” equipment without the actual presence of dairy ingredients is noted on the kosher label.
What Makes Food Kosher?
While many people may think that a blessing by a rabbi changes food into kosher, this is not the case. It is also not true that any “kosher” meat listed in the Torah, such as beef or lamb, is automatically kosher. There are many steps that have to be completed before a piece of steak is considered kosher.
The kosher process is a detailed, technical procedure of following rules and guidelines. This process has several parts, and they are all necessary for the final result. It’s important to realize that the kosher process is not a magical, or a purely spiritual event (even though kosher is a way to connect physical food with spirituality and holiness).
Imagine a crab or a lobster. The Torah says it is a non-kosher animal. This cannot change. No blessing, no matter by how great a rabbi, or by how many rabbis gathered together, can change an essentially non-kosher creature into kosher. Other types of foods, such as beef and chicken, milk and spices, oils and juices and many more — that COULD be kosher according to the Bible and Jewish Law, will only be considered kosher once the Torah guidelines are met. The lack of blessing will not prevent the product from being kosher.
Why the rabbi is needed?
If the rabbi doesn’t make a blessing to make the food kosher, what does he do in the kosher certification process? To understand the role of the rabbi in the process, it helps to know that “rabbi” does not mean “priest” or “minister” in Hebrew – instead, it means “G-d-fearing person of great learning and knowledge”.
And the word “kosher” does not mean “holy”, but rather “proper and fit”.
The laws of kosher, while complex and spiritually-based, are also very technical. So a well-trained and knowledgeable person of integrity, a rabbi, and sometimes more than one, must be involved in kosher food production.
Pathway to kosher
The Bible tells us what types of animals, fish, and fowl are permitted — so it seems that all we have to do is buy a chicken or a side of beef, and it will be kosher. However, there is a bit more to it. We have to make sure that ALL the requirements of the Torah are met before we can call a food kosher. These requirements are different, depending on the food product involved.
Let’s take meat for an example. First, meat has to come from a kosher animal source. It’s pretty well known that beef is a kosher animal source, and pigs are not. But after the cow is selected, it needs to be checked for overall health. Then it must be slaughtered according to the Torah guidelines by a shochet, a rabbi expert in this area.
The Torah’s extra health requirements
But this meat is still not yet considered kosher. It needs to be checked by a specialized rabbi for internal signs of ill health. For example, if he finds certain lung “adhesions” — growths that show there was once disease in that location, it is a problem. Such a cow, or a cow with any other Torah “health” issue, will be sent to a different line to be processed as non-kosher. Its area and equipment must be cleaned well so that the next cow does not come into contact with any residue from the non-kosher beef.
No blood
If the animal passes the test, then the blood must be removed from the meat, since the Torah does not allow the blood to be eaten. This has to be done within a certain time limit. Once the meat is cut into pieces, it will be rinsed, salted, and rinsed again. Only after all of these steps are taken properly, can the meat from this cow be called “kosher”.
Equipment has kosher status, too
But we have to be careful. The kosher status of the meat could still change, for instance, if it comes into contact with non-kosher foods or equipment that has been previously used for non-kosher. In fact, one of the kosher certification rabbi’s most important jobs is to “re-kosher” those utensils and machinery, to avoid any contact with previous traces of non-kosher residue.
A helpful comparison
It might help to compare the kosher process to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) approval process. To be approved, all the food components must pass a quality inspection. But that is not enough to gain the USDA seal. Certain products must be washed in water. But water may also not be enough. Perhaps there is a certain additive that must be in the water. Maybe the water has to be kept at a certain temperature. It also has to be kept separate from contaminants. All of these steps are absolutely required in order for the food to gain the USDA seal of approval. Similarly, so many steps, and so many specialized people are involved in the production of kosher meat — and all of the steps must be followed, or else that meat is not kosher at all.
Kosher + Kosher = Not Kosher?
The above process produces kosher meat. Cheese products follow another process. So let’s say we now have two kosher products in front of us: kosher meat and kosher cheese. You might think they should combine together for a lovely kosher sandwich. But according to the Torah, these two items, meat and dairy, though kosher on their own, may not ever be mixed together. Just as in chemistry, the combination of two different elements may result in a new compound with a different status and different characteristics from the original two substances. So too, combining kosher meat with kosher cheese creates a completely new, non-kosher item.
Meat and fish combinations, and sometimes fish and milk, are restricted as well.
Another way to think about all of this is to compare it to human nutrition. A food may be healthy in and of itself, but eating too much of it or combining it with another food could be unhealthy.
Does kosher apply to anything other than food?
The word “kosher” is associated mainly with food, but since it means “proper and fit”, or “acceptable according to Torah Law,” it is sometimes used in other contexts. For instance, there is a Biblical prohibition of mixing wool and linen. Some clothing manufacturers have their garments tested and certified to be free of this mixture, and their garments are “kosher” for use — complete with a certification label sewn inside the jacket.
Anyone can keep kosher
Anyone who takes upon him or herself to observe the guidelines and Torah laws of kashrus will be keeping kosher.
With all of these details and many steps, each of them with spiritual significance, and requiring knowledge, honesty and discipline, you can see the depth of the trust the consumer invests in the producer and the kosher supervisor for something very meaningful to them.