Appendix 16
Dietary Prohibitions
The Quran teaches that God is extremely
displeased with those who prohibit anything that was
not
specifically
prohibited
in
the
Quran
(16:112-116).
The
upholding of any prohibitions not specifically
mentioned
in
the
Quran
is
tantamount
to
idolatry
(6:142-152).
Such
prohibitions
represent
some
other
god(s)
besides God. If you worship God ALONE,
you will uphold His teachings ALONE
and honor the commandments and prohibitions instituted only by Him.
The absolute specificity of dietary prohibitions in the Quran is best illustrated
in 6:145-146. We learn from these two verses that when God prohibits
“meat,” He prohibits “meat” and nothing
else, and when He prohibits
“fat,” that is what He specifically prohibits. These two verses inform us that “the meat” of pigs is prohibited, not “the fat.” Obviously, God knew that in many countries, lard would be used in baked goods and other food products, and that such usage does not render the foods Haraam (prohibited). The Quran specifically prohibits four meats (2:173,
5:3, 6:142-145, and 16:112):
Say, “I do not find in what was revealed
to me
anything prohibited
for any eater
unless it is (1) carrion, (2) running blood,
(3) the meat of pigs, for it is unclean, and
(4) meat blasphemously dedicated
to other than God.”
If one is forced to eat these
without being malicious or deliberate,
then your Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [ 6:145 ]
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