The sacred book of the Muslims, the Holy Quran comes with precise guidance for the mankind on how to live a life devoid of sins and iniquity. These guidelines encompass each and every aspect of human life and are compounded by the sunnah (ways and traditions) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Quran lays down clear and specific principles about the dietary laws for the Muslims and has divided all things into two categories of halal (lawful or allowed) and haram (unlawful and forbidden).
~What is halal~
"O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom ye worship" (2:172).
The good things that have been provided for nourishment of mankind include all fruits and vegetables, fish, meat of grazing animals like sheep, goat, oxen, camels and birds that have been slaughtered in a way prescribed in the Quran. In general, everything is halal for the Muslims except what has been specifically forbidden to eat and imbibe.
~What is haram~
Certain things have been declared "haram" or unlawful for the Muslims and hence including them in the diet is considered a sin for the Muslims. It is stated in the Holy Quran:
"He hath forbidden you only carrion, and blood, and swine flesh, and that which hath been immolated to (the name of) any other than Allah." (2:173).
In another place it is stated:
"Forbidden to you are the flesh of dead animals and blood and the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to any other than Allah, and that which has been killed by strangling or by beating or by falling or by being gored, and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild beast except that which you make lawful by slaughtering (before its death), and that which has been sacrificed to idols.... (5:4)"
It is very clear from these verses of the Holy Quran that Muslims are forbidden to eat the following:
1) Carcass of an already dead animal
2) Blood
3) Pork (and all derivatives from pig meat)
4) Meat of an animal that had been dedicated to idols
5) Meat of an animal that has been killed by strangulation and blunt weapon
6) Meat of an animal from which other predators have already eaten.
~Prohibition of alcohol~
It is stated in the Holy Quran:
"Assuredly Satan desires to sow enmity and hatred among you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayers. Will you not then desist?" (5:93-94)
Any substance which renders a human mind incapable of discerning between right and wrong by impairing its faculties of thought, perception, and discernment is called "khamr" and khamr is forbidden in Islam. As human beings, we are supposed to be responsible for our deeds, thoughts and actions. All intoxicants cause immense social, moral, economic, physical and spiritual problems by clouding one's judgment and making one disregard consequences of one's actions.
That is why many verses in the Holy Quran categorically prohibit imbibing of alcohol, drugs and all other inebriants
~Prescribed Method of Slaughtering Animals~
The method of slaughtering the livestock by slitting the animal's throat in a swift and merciful manner while reciting Allah's name is called "zabihah". This slaughtering is performed with the words, "In the name of Allah, Allah is Most Great". This act is an acknowledgement of the fact that all life is sacred, and that one must kill only with Allah's permission, to fulfill one's lawful need for food. A sharp knife is used to minimize pain. The animal is then bled completely before consumption. Meat obtained in this way is called halal meat.
~Manners of eating in tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)~
1) It is customary for Muslims to begin their meal with the name of Allah and say:
"In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah I begin (eating)". (Mustadrak)
2) One should eat with the right hand and not with the left. Small morsels should be taken and food should be chewed slowly. Food must be taken from the side of the dish and not from the centre.
3) Breath should not be puffed on hot food to cool it. Breath should not be exhaled into a drinking vessel.
4) A person should eat moderately and not stuff himself with excess food.
5) Eating food while leaning and drinking while standing is forbidden.
The meal is ended with this prayer: "All praise belongs to Allah, who fed us and quenched our thirst and made us Muslims". (Ibn Al Sunni)