ISLAMIC ISSUES (pg. 2)

  • What are some of the food-related teachings of the Quran?
    
 
     
  • 2:168 O people, eat from whatever is upon the earth that is lawful and wholesome. And do not follow in the footsteps of Satan; for indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
        
   
  • The lawful foods are all foods but four broad categories: 1) carrion, 2) blood, 3) pork and 4) that which is sacrificed to other than Allah Exalted Most High
  • In addition the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) stated that animals of prey should not be eaten
  • Wholesome foods, Tayyib, are those that are conducive to goodness and well being and free of harmful effects
      
 
  • 4:119 And I [Satan] shall surely lead them astray. Moreover I shall surely fill them with fancies. Thus, I shall command them, and they shall slit the ears of cattle. And I shall command them, and they shall seek to change the creation of God.
      
  • Factory farming has standardized the practice of mutilation of animals and manipulations such as genetic engineering both of which 'change the creation of God'
    
  • 2:204 And among the people is one whose words about the life of this world will please you. And he even calls upon God to bear witness as to what is in his heart, though truly he is most relentlessly contentious. 2:205 And when he turns away from you he strives in the land to cause corruption therein and to destroy tillage [crops] and livestock. And God does not love corruption.
  • Mega-corporations create an effective demand for their products through the ingenious use of advertisements and campaigns to create attractive images, yet the reality behind the image is shocking. In reality they are accountable more to their own shareholders than to consumers, employees, or the environment.
    
 
  • 5:88 And eat from whatever God has provided for you, lawful ans wholesome. And fear God, in whom you are believers.
      
  • We are reminded to seek out the Lawful and Wholesome-and have Taqwa, which also means to guard against peril.
    
 
  • Eat and drink, but do not waste.
      
  • Moderation and avoiding excessiveness is an integral teaching of Islam. Wastefulness is one result of over-consumption and excessiveness