Moderation recommended

The above rule, to avoid unlawful and unclean things, is supplemented by two other equally important directions of a general nature. The first is an interdiction against excess “And eat and drink and be not prodigal; surely He loves not the prodigals” (7:31). Immoderation may either be in the taking of diet, when one over-loads the stomach with food, or may be in the taking of particular kinds of food. Any food, however good, is injurious to health if taken in excess. Moderation in eating is a guarantee of health. And just as overfeeding spoils the system, underfeeding undermines the health. Hence the direction is given: “O you who believe, forbid not the good things which Allāh has made lawful for you and exceed not the limits” (5:87). In these words, all self-denying practices, by which a man either deprives himself of the necessary quantity of food or of certain kinds of food are denounced. Good things which are helpful in building up the system should not be denied.

Prohibited foods

Four things are expressly prohibited in the Holy Qur’ān: “O you who believe, eat of the good things that We have provided you with, and give thanks to Allāh, if He it is Whom you serve. He has forbidden you only that which dies of itself, and blood and the flesh of swine, and that over which any other (name) than (that of) Allāh has been invoked. Then whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, no sin is upon him; surely Allāh is Forgiving, Merciful” (2:172, 173). The same prohibition had already been revealed in 16:115, while the Holy Prophet was yet at Makkah, in nearly the same words, whereas in 6:145, another Makkah revelation, reasons are added for the prohibition, and 5:3, which is the latest revelation on the point, adds several things by way of explanation.

The prohibited foods thus are:

1. That which dies of itself.3 According to 5:3, the following are included: “The strangled animal, and that beaten to death and that