Podcast
Many people think that Islam is a very strict, restrictive, backward and extreme ideology religion. Therefore, in the next few episodes, we will discuss one by one what are permitted and what are prohibited in Islam?
The Arabic word Halal is allowed and Haram is forbidden. So many times, you will hear Muslims say Halal and Haram to describe what can be done or eaten, or what is forbidden to do or not eaten.
(Chinese proverb) People take food as their heaven, so this episode will first discuss what can eat and what is forbidden to eat.
(5:1) “… Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur’an]… “
(5:3) “Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], …But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
This Ayat clearly states that blood, pork, and animals slaughtered in the name of anything other than Allah and on the sacred stone, all of these cannot be eaten. Animals that have died on their own cannot be eaten, including those who have died of illness, strangled, and died after being struck hard. Those who fell to death, those who died after being hit by the horns, and the animals leftover by wild beasts were not allowed to eat. Another verse,
(6:145) “I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure – or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.””
Basically, the above two Ayat both emphasized that anyone who is forced by famine without intending to sin, and anyone who is forced to eat by the force, involuntary, and not excessive, is not guilty of eating forbidden things.
Because Allah knows what we don’t know, Allah knows what is open and deeply hidden in the heart, Allah knows everyone’s situation and obscurity, as long as it is not committed deliberately, Allah is indeed forgiving and merciful.
Another Ayat,
(5:4-5) “They ask you what has been made lawful for them. Say, “Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allah upon it, and fear Allah.” Indeed, Allah is swift in account. This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. …”
This Ayat brings clear rules of hunting. Falcons and hounds can be released to hunt the prey, as long as read in “the name of Allah” (Bismillah) before releasing them.
Those who have received the Scriptures refer to Christians and Jews, but it does not mean that all their food can be eaten. Jews do not eat pork like Muslims, and they have more rules not to eat, because (6: 146) “And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their injustice. And indeed, We are truthful.”
Therefore, they have stricter food regulations, except alcohol, because Allah had not issued a prohibition order at that time, the next session will explain in detail the history of the prohibition of alcohol in Islam.
As for Christian food, it is also legal, except for pork and wine, just to make sure that their livestock are slaughtered in the name of the only Creator.
Because (6:118-119) “So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses. And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled. And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord – He is most knowing of the transgressors.”
(6:121) “And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience. … “
Another Quran (5:96) “Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travelers, but forbidden to you is game from the land as long as you are in the state of ihram. …”
This Ayat points out that during the Ihram, that is, during the hajj or Umrah, as long as the Muslims wear the Ihram, and within the range of observing the Hajj and Umrah, that is, within the forbidden territory, they cannot hunt birds and beasts. (5:94) O you who have believed, Allah will surely test you through something of the game that your hands and spears [can] reach, that Allah may make evident those who fear Him unseen. And whoever transgresses after that – for him is a painful punishment.
In other words, Allah may release some easily available animals to walk around in front of a person, to see who can resist temptation and desires, and truly obey the laws.
At the same time, it is clearly pointed out in the previous verse that all animals and food in the sea are legal, so if there are other explanations or some seafood prohibitions, these two Qurans can be responded to (5:87-88) “O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. And eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear Allah, in whom you are believers.”
(6:140) “Those will have lost who…..prohibited what Allah had provided for them, inventing untruth about Allah. They have gone astray and were not [rightly] guided. “
Therefore, all seafood and all animals are legally edible, except for pigs, except for food or beverages made with blood, except for animals died themselves or animals that have died without being slaughtered, except for those slaughtered in the name of God other than Allah. Animals, except for land animals that have not been slaughtered in the name of Allah,
In addition, one of the hadiths from Bukhari and Muslims that it is forbidden to eat all predators with fangs and claws, such as eagles, dogs, lions, tigers and other predators. In fact, this is wise and reasonable, because Predators are usually more difficult to approach and control, unless people attack them first to hurt them and lose their ability to resist. If this is the case, they cannot be killed in the most humane and respectful manner, which is against the purpose.
In another hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) declared that donkeys should not be eaten on the day of the “Battle of Khaybar.” Except for these prohibited foods, all other animals are permitted.
(5:93) “There is not upon those who believe and do righteousness [any] blame concerning what they have eaten [in the past] if they [now] fear Allah and believe and do righteous deeds, …”
This Ayat clearly points out no blame if you have eaten forbidden objects out of unbelief or ignorance in the past. As long as you start to fear and believe in God, and work hard for good, the past will be deleted like chalk.
(7:31-32) “O children of Adam, …. eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. Say, “Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?” Say, “They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection.” …. “
Many people will ask, if Allah does not allow people to eat pork, why did He create pigs? If he does not allow beasts with fangs and claws, why did He create them? Everything that Allah creates has its uses, but most people do not understand, and pigs have an important job in nature. Pigs are one of nature’s scavengers. Predators with fangs, and sharp claws, are usually at the highest in the food chain, mainly to balance nature’s ecosystem.
Therefore, the use of the word pig will not be offensive to Muslims, and Muslims should not feel offended, because all things are created by Allah, and every creation has its function, but people don’t know it. Thank Allah for creating all things to serve and enjoy for mankind.
Another hadith mentioned that a dog wandered to the mosque and urinated there. At that time, some Muslims were angry and wanted to chase the dog, but the prophet (pbuh) stopped them and ordered them to wash it with water without getting angry. Therefore, if someone throws pork or blood into the mosque, it can be washed with water. Don’t overreact like a fool.
In conclusion, all seafood, beans, vegetables and fruits are permitted, no special treatment is required, just start with Bismillah in the name of Allah before eating. All animals are legally edible, except pigs, donkeys, beasts (predators) with fangs and claws, blood, animals that have died or died without being slaughtered, animals slaughtered in the name of gods other than Allah, and none of the land animals killed in the name of Allah, only these seven are forbidden. In fact, Allah has created many different types of animals, plants, fruits and seafood to choose from. If you really follow Allah’s teachings, why bother with those foods that are banned?
For the next one, we will continue to discuss other things that are permitted and forbidden. thanks for listening.