How to Follow Muslim Dietary Laws

The Quran, or holy book of Islam, states the way that the prophet Muhammad lived and is a guide to how each and every Muslim should live as well. One of the most essential parts of the Quran is an outline of eating habits or dietary laws that should be followed.

Instructions

1. Drink virtually anything you like as long as it does not contain alcohol, as alcohol is prohibited in accordance with Muslim dietary laws. It is important to check product labels, as many sweets and ice creams are flavored with liqueur.

2. Read product labels, avoiding any items that contain pork products. Often packaged meats such as hot dogs, hamburgers and meatballs will contain pork. Additionally, sometimes items you would never expect to contain pork products, such as marshmallows, will indeed contain pork derivatives.

3. Remember that any meat you do consume should be slaughtered by either a Jew, a Christian or a Muslim in the name of God. Foods approved for consumption by Muslims will be labeled halal; however, many Muslims eat kosher meats as well, as they are prepared under strict Jewish standards. Additionally, Muslim dietary laws state that the consumption of animal blood, animals killed by accident or natural death or slaughtered by a non-Christian, non-Jew or non-Muslim should not be consumed.

4. Eat as necessary if it is your only means of survival, as life will always come before dietary law.

5. Feast with friends whenever possible. While eating with friends is not a strict dietary law, Muhammad never ate alone; therefore, you should share your food with others as well.

6. Fast during the holy month of Ramadan, avoiding food and drink between the morning and evening prayer calls.