Basic Muslim Beliefs About Eating
Certain foods and drinks are not permitted for followers of Islam. This prohibition is established by verse 173 of the Cow sura in the Koran and repeated in similar forms throughout the Muslim scriptures. Muslims must obey these strictures to remain in good standing before God. Essentially, all foods are considered lawful, or halal in Arabic, except those specifically forbidden. Those foods which are unlawful are known as haram.
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Pork
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Muslims may not eat anything made from pork. This applies to all products that come from pigs, such as their lard or skin. Furthermore, Muslims may not eat or drink anything even contaminated by pork. This regulation can be difficult to follow because of the numerous additives and preservatives found in modern foods, some of which may use pork products.
Carrion and Questionably Slaughtered Meat
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If an animal died before being slaughtered, or was somehow killed improperly, then it is forbidden to Muslims. Also, they may not eat the meat taken from the body of an animal sacrificed in a religious ritual and dedicated to another god. As with pork, Muslims may not even eat anything contaminated by such meat. Human flesh is, of course, forbidden.
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Blood
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Muslims must cook their meat properly because it is forbidden to ingest blood. This applies even to the blood of animals otherwise lawful for consumption.
Carnivorous Animals
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Muslims may not eat the flesh of any carnivorous animals. This includes birds of prey. This straightforward rule is complicated by practices in some parts of the modern food industry which may involve feeding livestock with animal products.
Alcohol
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Alcohol is forbidden for Muslims. This restriction applies to anything that has alcohol in it. It also includes intoxicants in general, so intoxicating drugs are also unlawful.
Mashbooh
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When a substance is possibly contaminated with something unlawful, Muslims refer to that substance as mashbooh. This is particularly common today because many food products available in supermarkets may have been slaughtered improperly or fed with animal products, technically making the otherwise lawful animal forbidden. Even some medicines have animal products in the gelatins that are used to make capsules.
Forgiveness
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The Koran does say that God forgives anyone who accidentally eats or otherwise ingests an unlawful substance.
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References
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