Food & Drink

The rules in Islam governing what may be eaten and drunk — permitting wholesome foods and forbidding pork, intoxicants, blood, and carrion.

The wedding feast offered after marriage, a confirmed sunnah; accepting an invitation to it is encouraged in Islam.

The etiquette of eating in Islam — saying Bismillah, eating with the right hand, taking from what is nearest, and giving thanks to God afterwards.

The Islamic method of slaughter — a swift cut to the throat and major vessels of a permitted animal while invoking God's name, draining the blood.

The lawful food (especially slaughtered meat) of Jews and Christians, permitted to Muslims in the Quran subject to conditions discussed by scholars.

Meat from a permitted animal slaughtered according to Islamic rite, free of forbidden contamination — a central concern in Muslim food today.

Wine and all intoxicants, explicitly forbidden in the Quran; anything that intoxicates is unlawful in any amount.

Swine and pork, named in the Quran among the foods forbidden to Muslims, including all its by-products and derivatives.

Dates, a beloved sunnah food praised by the Prophet, traditionally eaten to break the fast and valued for their nourishment and blessing.

Wholesome, pure, and good — a Quranic standard for food that goes beyond mere permissibility to include cleanliness, healthfulness, and lawful origin.

Honey, described in the Quran as containing healing for people; a prized sunnah food and natural remedy.

Flowing blood, forbidden to consume in the Quran; the residual blood remaining in meat after slaughter is excepted.

Processing additives, often labelled with E-numbers, whose halal status depends on their origin; a major focus of contemporary halal scrutiny.

A common food ingredient often derived from animals; its lawfulness depends on its source, making it a key concern in modern halal verification.

Black seed (Nigella sativa), of which the Prophet said it is a cure for every disease except death; a celebrated prophetic remedy.

Wastefulness and excess, including in food and drink; the Quran instructs believers to eat and drink without being extravagant.

Feeding the poor and hungry, a highly praised act of charity in the Quran and Sunnah and a means of expiation for certain shortcomings.

Milk, a pure drink praised in the Quran and the Sunnah; the Prophet would supplicate for increase when drinking it.

Doubtful or questionable food whose lawfulness is unclear; the Prophet advised avoiding doubtful matters to protect one's faith and honour.

Carrion — an animal that died without proper Islamic slaughter; forbidden to eat, with limited exceptions such as fish and locusts.

A drink made by soaking dates or raisins in water; permissible while fresh and sweet, but unlawful once it ferments into an intoxicant.

Ritually impure substances — such as pork, blood, and the like — that are forbidden to consume and must be kept away from food and the body in worship.

Coffee, which originated in the Muslim world and spread from Yemen; its permissibility was debated by early scholars before becoming widely accepted.

A soothing porridge made from barley flour, recommended by the Prophet as comforting for the grieving and the sick.

Pronouncing the name of God ("Bismillah") at the time of slaughter — a condition for the meat to be lawful in Islam.

A dish of broth-soaked bread with meat, a favourite food of the Prophet, who likened the virtue of Aisha among women to its superiority among foods.

The blessed water of the well of Zamzam in Mecca; the Prophet said it is for whatever it is drunk for, and pilgrims drink and carry it home.

The olive and its oil, mentioned in the Quran as a blessed tree; recommended by the Prophet for eating and anointing.

A simple traditional food of parched, ground barley or wheat mixed with water, dates, or fat; a common provision in the Prophet's time.

A sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from fruit, flowers, or herbs, popular across the Muslim world, especially during Ramadan and celebrations.