Food Diet in Islam: Forbidden and Recommended Food

Islam also recommends how to do a good diet by choosing the right foods between edible and not edible foods, according to Qur’an. As follows:

1. Forbidden food in Islam – Diet – Forbidden Food

There are some foods that all Moslems must not have to consume and what’s the recommended food you should take. The Prophet Mohammed, that implemented eating habits and food diet in Islam, said according to the Qur'an, that the only foods explicitly forbidden are meat from animals that die of themselves, blood, the meat of swine (porcine animals, pigs), and animals dedicated to other than God (either undedicated or dedicated to idols). All vegetarian cuisine is halal and allowed for Muslims. According to :

“He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.”1

 It is also quoted in the Holy Qur’an :

This day is (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,- when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues if anyone rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).2

What food prohibited in Islam (haram) are:

- Swine animal produce (pork, ham, bacon, smoked pork, pork sausage).

- Slaughtered animal, not in the name of “Allah”, that dedicated to other than Allah, or and sacrifice for anything / any but God.

-Carrion (Decaying dead of animal not killed by a man).

- An animal that has been strangled, beaten (to death), killed by a fall, gored (to death), or savaged by a beast of prey (unless finished off by a human.

- Blood.

-Alcoholic or intoxicant beverage.

2. Food Recommended by Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

There are many foods that Prophet Mohammed recommended, and it could be Prophet's favorite food and mostly they are good for our health:

1.   Dates, contains very low fat, free of cholesterol but rich in vitamins and mineral.

2.   Meat, the prophet recommended lamb meat/mutton as it is rich in protein, iron, zinc, and selenium, it is as well healthier compared to beef.

3.   Figs, are low in calories and good for bones. They are also known as one of the fruits of paradise (Jannah) and offer various health benefits, nutrients, and anti-oxidants.

4.   Grapes, which are useful for purifying the blood, offered vigor and health, give strength to the healthy kidneys, and clean the bowels due to their high fiber content.

5.   Milk, makes the back become strengthen, give your vision clear, and improves memory skill, gives calcium for teeth and bones.

6.   Honey, the mother of foods, the father of drinks, and the guard of drugs. Most used for gaining appetite, making stomach stronger, and eliminating phlegm; as a meat preservative, hair conditioner, eye soother, and mouthwash.

7.   Olive (fruit and oil), Good for skin and hair, covered old age and treats inflammation of the stomach, not to mention its low-calorie cooking benefits. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Eat the olive oil and apply it (locally) since there is a cure for seventy diseases in it, one of them is Leprosy”.

8.   Melon, also has a very high water content and is great for hot summers.

9.   Pumpkin, is useful for the Lungs and prevents birth defects. Useful for cure asthma, colon cancer, pain, blood pressure, and heart disease to name a few.

10.  Vinegar, is the best curry recommended by Prophet Muhammad. As a matter of fact, non-alcoholic vinegar also helps fatigued muscles recover after strenuous physical activity.

11.  Barley, is useful for curing fever and should serve as a soup for the best results.

12.  Black Carraway, which according to the prophet (PBUH), is a cure for all diseases except death. Black Caraway includes natural antibiotics along with essential nutrients and vitamins likes Vitamin A, phosphates, and iron apart from other compounds.

Finally, those are how to do eating in Islam in a good way. Maybe the information can help you understand how Muslim people eat in their daily life.

Reference:

1. Qur’an -translation of Yusuf Ali (2: 173) 

2. Quran-translation of Yusuf Ali (5:5)