You know, eating is an act of worship when done consciously, following the guidance of our Creator. Allah (SWT) provides for us abundantly, and He, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, has shown us what is pure and permissible (Halal) and what is impure and forbidden (Haram). Understanding this directly from the Quran is key to living a life pleasing to Him.

So, let’s look together at some key verses where Allah addresses Halal and Haram food.

1. A Quranic Quote on Allah’s General Permission for Lawful Eating

Allah begins by reminding us of His vast provision and gives a general principle:

“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ” 

“Yā ayyuhan-nāsu kulū mimmā fil-ardi halālan tayyiban walā tattabi’ū khutuwātish-shaytān, innahū lakum ‘aduwwum mubīn.”

“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:168)   

Allah addresses all mankind (“Yā ayyuhan-nās”). The general rule is permission: eat what is Halal (lawful) and Tayyib (good, pure, wholesome). Tayyib is such a rich word!. 

And notice the immediate warning? Don’t follow Shaytan’s footsteps. 

Why? Because he will try to lead us away from the pure and towards the impure, either by making us consume Haram or by making us unnecessarily restrict what Allah made Halal. 

2. A Quranic Verse on Haram Meats

While the general principle is permission, Allah, out of His mercy, specifies certain things that are harmful or impure for us. One of the most detailed verses on this is:

“حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ”

“Hurrimat ‘alaykumul-maytatu wad-damu wa lahmul-khinzīri wa mā uhilla lighayrillāhi bihī wal-munkhaniqatu wal-mawqūdhatu wal-mutaraddiyatu wan-natīhatu wa mā akalas-sabu’u illā mā dhakkaytum wa mā dhubiha ‘alan-nusub”

“Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars”  (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3)  

This detail isn’t to burden us; it’s to protect us and ensure the meat we consume is pure and obtained in a respectful manner. 

There’s wisdom behind each prohibition, often related to hygiene, health, and maintaining the sanctity of life and dedicating our actions solely to Allah. 

Getting the pronunciation right for these Arabic terms is vital, which is something we emphasize greatly in Quranica’s ‘Learn Quran with Tajweed‘ course, helping you recite these verses as they were revealed.

3. Another Quranic Quote Defining Haram Meats

Allah repeats key guidance for emphasis. In another chapter, He reiterates some core prohibitions:

قُل لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلَّا أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ” 

Qul lā ajidu fī mā ūhiya ilayya muharraman ‘alā tā’imin yat’amuhū illā an yakūna maytatan aw daman masfūhan aw lahma khinzīrin fa-innahū rijsun aw fisqan uhilla lighayrillāhi bih…

“Say, “I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure – or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.”” (Surah Al-An’am 6:145)  

Again, the main prohibitions are stressed: carrion, spilled blood (specifically mentioned here), and swine flesh, described as rijs (impurity, filth). Also mentioned is fisq (disobedience, transgression) related to slaughtering for other than Allah. 

This repetition shows the seriousness of these prohibitions.

Consuming what Allah has forbidden isn’t just a dietary mistake; it affects our spiritual purity because Allah calls it rijs and connects deviation to fisq. It highlights how interconnected our physical actions and spiritual well-being are in Islam.

Read more about: Quranic Verses: 20 Beautiful And Powerful Quranic Quotes in Arabic and English

4. A Quranic Verse on the Permissibility of the Bounty of the Sea

A common question is about seafood. Does the same detailed list of prohibitions apply? Generally, Islamic scholars, based on Quranic principles and Hadith, consider seafood to be permissible.

“أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُ مَتَاعًا لَّكُمْ”

“Uhilla lakum ṣaydul-baḥri wa ṭa’āmuhū matā’al-lakum”

“Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as provision for you” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:96)

Coupled with Hadith like “Its [the sea’s] water is purifying and its dead are lawful (Halal),” the vast majority consensus is that seafood (fish, etc.) is generally Halal without needing the specific slaughter method required for land animals (with some minor differences of opinion between schools of thought regarding specific sea creatures). This shows another aspect of Allah’s vast mercy and provision.

5. Quranic Verse on Avoiding Excess with Halal Food

Allah (SWT) provides abundantly, but He also guides us towards balance and away from wastefulness, even with lawful things. This principle is beautifully stated here:

“وكُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ وَلاَ تُسْرِفُواْ إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ”

“wa kuloo washraboo wa laa tusrifoo; innahoo laa yuhibbul musrifeen.”  

“…and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:31)  

The Arabic word israf (excess, extravagance, wastefulness) is key. It tells us that even when consuming Halal and Tayyib food, provided by Allah’s grace, we should practice moderation. 

This isn’t just about physical health – though that’s certainly part of the wisdom – it’s about spiritual discipline, gratitude, and recognizing that resources are a trust (amanah). 

Wasting food or overindulging to the point of heedlessness displeases Allah. True appreciation for His blessings involves consuming them mindfully and responsibly, not wastefully. 

It ties back perfectly to valuing the tayyibat – the good things – by not squandering them. 

Understanding these interconnected concepts truly enriches one’s relationship with the Quran and its practical guidance for life. Truly appreciating the wisdom here is something we often explore in Quranica’s Online Quran Tafseer Course, connecting the rulings to their deeper meanings. 

6. A Quranic Verse Against Unlawful Restrictions in Halal and Haram Food

Just as important as avoiding the Haram is not making the Halal forbidden upon ourselves without divine basis. Islam is a path of balance:

“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُحَرِّمُواْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا أَحَلَّ اللّهُ لَكُمْ وَلاَ تَعْتَدُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ وَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّهُ حَلاَلاً طَيِّبًا وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ الَّذِيَ أَنتُم بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ” 

“Yaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tuharrimoo taiyibaati maa ahallal laahu lakum wa laa ta’tadooo; innal laaha laa yuhibbul mu’tadeen. Wa kuloo mimmaa razaqakumul laahu halaalan taiyibanw wattaqul laahallazeee antum bihee mu’minoon.”

“O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. And eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:87-88)

Some might, out of piety, try to forbid themselves things Allah has permitted. Allah warns against this, calling it transgression (‘i’tada). 

Allah reaffirms: enjoy the Tayyibat, the good, pure things He has provided, linking consumption directly to rizq (provision) and Taqwa (consciousness of Allah). 

There’s a profound connection between eating Halal and Tayyib, and strengthening our faith (Iman). 

Read more about: Quranic Verses on Sabr And Patience In Arabic & English

7. Quranic Quote Clarifying the Lawful

Sometimes, guidance came in response to questions asked by the companions (Sahabah), Radiyallahu ‘anhum. This verse addresses such a query, reaffirming the principle of Tayyibat.

“يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْۖ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ…”

“Yas’aloonaka mādhā uhilla lahum. Qul uhilla lakumut tayyibāt…”

“They ask you, [O Muhammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, “Lawful for you are [all] good foods…” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:4)

The believers directly ask the Prophet (peace be upon him) about permissible foods. Allah instructs him to reply with a comprehensive principle: Uhilla lakumut tayyibāt – “Lawful for you are the good things.” This again emphasizes that the default is permissibility for things that are pure and wholesome. It teaches us the importance of seeking knowledge directly from the divine sources when we are unsure.

8. A Quranic Verse on Clear Prohibition of Intoxicants (Khamr)

While our main focus was food, it’s impossible to discuss Halal and Haram consumption without mentioning intoxicants, primarily alcohol (Khamr), as the Quran is very clear on this.

“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ” 

“Yā ayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū innamal-khamru wal-maysiru wal-ansābu wal-azlāmu rijsum-min ‘amalish-shaytāni fajtanibūhu la’allakum tuflihūn.”

“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:90) 

Look how clearly Allah groups intoxicants (khamr) and gambling (maysir) with practices of idolatry (ansāb, azlām). 

Allah calls them rijs – the same word used for the impurity of swine in Surah Al-An’am (6:145)! 

This shows the gravity of the prohibition. They are described as “defilement from the work of Satan,” and the command is explicit: Fajtanibūhu – “Avoid it!” Not just ‘don’t drink too much,’ but avoid it completely. 

The purpose? La’allakum tuflihūn – “that you may be successful,” connecting abstinence from these major sins directly to achieving success in this life and the Hereafter. 

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