O you who believe! eat of the good things that we provide you with, and give thanks to Allah " (Holy Qur'an 11: 173)
Most Muslims know the basic foods which arc haram (forbidden), according to Islam If asked, they will say that pork, blood, alcohol, and meat which has not been slaughtered in an Islamic manner are haram for Muslims. They may also know that all carnivorous (meat-eating) four-legged animals are also haram food for Muslims, as are birds of prey (such as eagles, hawks, and vultures). According to the Holy Qur'an:
Forbidden to you is that which dies itself, and blood, and flesh of swine and that on which any name other than that of' Allah has been invoked, the strangled(animal) and that beaten to death, and that killd by a fall and that killed by being smitten by the horn and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter (5:1)
In the following article, we go beyond the basics and delve deeper into the particular foods which Muslims are allowed to eat and the manner in which they should eat. WHICH FOODS ARE HALAL? The first question to be answered is:
Which foods are halal (lawful)?. Regarding hunted game, Islam holds that wild animals such as deer, quail and mountain goat are halal if hunted as are domestic animals which have become wild. Hunted game is only halal under the following conditions:
The hunter must be a Muslim or the child of a Muslim. The kill must be made by a sharp instrument which will kill quickly, without torture, such as an arrow, a knife, a spear, or a bullet. Finally, the name of Allah must be pronounced before the animal is killed.
All fish which have scales are halal food for Muslims if they are taken out of the water alive. Fish which are washed up on shore and later die are haram. Shrimp is halal if taken out of the water alive. Lobster and crab are haram, as are shellfish and scaleless fish, such as shark and catfish.
Cleft-hooved animals and those having multiple stomachs are lawful; however, there are fifteen parts of those animals which are haram food for Muslims.' All foods which contain meat by-products such as gelatins from haram animals should not be eaten hy Muslims. HOW TO EAT [slam has set down definite rules for Muslims as to how and how much to eat. According to Islam, one should always pronounce the name of Allah before beginning a meal If the meal consists of several courses, it is best to pronounce the name of Allah before every course. The Holy Prophet said: "Allah is indeed pleased with His servant who, when he eats a morsel, praises Him for it, or drinks a sip and then praised Him for it. "
The host should be the first to begin eating and the last to withdraw from the meal (in order that his guests might feel at ease; free from any embarassment abouit eating). If several people sit down to a meal together, each should eat the food which is placed in front ot him. An Islamic tradition states: "Invoke the name Of Allah and eat with your right hand and eat what is near you."
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) also advised the believers to sit down while eating, to eat slowly, taking small bites, and to chew their food thoroughly. In one hadith (Islamic tradition), he is reported to have said: "Suficient for the son of Adam are a few mouthfuls to keep his back upright, but if it is to be more, then let one-third (of the stomach) be for his food, one-third for his drink and one-third (left) for his breathing."
Islam advises us not eat food which is very cold or extrememly hot. "Cool your food and it will be blessed for you."
Another hadith tells Muslims not to blow on their food to cool it, saying "Allah's Messenger forbade breathing into a vessel."
CONCERNING BREAD Bread is the most respected food for Muslims because of the great effort which is put forth from the planting of the wheat to the baking of the bread. Muslims are told that when the bread is brought to the meal that we must not wait for other food to arrive but must begin eating then. We must never place bread under something else such as a hot pan. Crumbs of bread left over after a meal should be collected and eaten or given to animals but never thrown away (as is the rule for all food). REGARDiNG FRUIT
Fruit should be washed thoroughly before it is eaten. Since many vitamins are found near the skin, a believer should not peel his fruit before eating it. It is forbidden for a Muslim to throw away fruit (or any other food) before it is completely eaten. DRINKING Muslims have been advised by the Holy Messenger on the subject of drinking as well. We are told to drink only when we are thirsty, to sip water slowly and to drink in three breaths, not to gulp down water in one long draught. A Muslim should pronounce the name of Allah before drinking, and praise Allah after drinking. According to Imam Khomeini, we should drink water standing during the day and while sitting during the night. Muslims are advised against drinking with the left hand or from a broken edge or the handled edge of a vessel. Islam also advises believers not to drink water after eating oily foods (as the oil will congeal with in the stomach and make digestion difficult).
When Muslims study the Qur'an and the traditions, they find profound knowledge expressed in simple language concerning any question which they may have about food. Allah Almighty,in His inhnite wisdom, has provided detailed instructions for His servants that they might live in good physical and spiritual health.
He it is who made the earth smooth for you, therefore go about in the spacious sides therefore, and eat of His substances, and to Him is the return after death.
(Holy Qur'an 67:15)
Source: Mahjubah