Question 1

Is alcohol haram in Islam?

Accepted Answer

Every intoxicating substance is khamr, and every khamr is forbidden. This includes wine, beer, spirits, and any modern drug or substance that clouds the intellect. The Prophet ﷺ cursed ten people in connection with khamr: the one who produces it, the one who has it produced, the one who drinks it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who consumes its price, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought. The principle established by the Prophet ﷺ is that whatever intoxicates in large quantities is forbidden in any quantity, even a single drop. Cooking with alcohol that fully evaporates is differed upon, but the safer position is complete avoidance.

Question 2

Is eating pork forbidden and why?

Accepted Answer

Pork — the flesh of swine — is forbidden by clear text in four places of the Qur'an and by the consensus of the Muslims. The prohibition includes the meat, the fat, and any product derived from it such as gelatine and rennet sourced from pigs. A Muslim does not need to know the wisdom behind a prohibition in order to obey it; rather, hearing and obeying is the basis of submission to Allah. Even so, scholars and modern science have noted that the pig is a scavenger that consumes filth and that its flesh carries unique health risks. The only exception is the case of necessity — a person whose life depends on it with no other food available, who may eat the minimum to survive without exceeding need.

Question 3

Why is pork forbidden?

Accepted Answer

Ibn al-Qayyim explained that Allah forbade pork by explicit text in four places (al-Baqarah 2:173; al-Ma'idah 5:3; al-An'am 6:145; al-Nahl 16:115) describing it as rijs — filth. The wisdom includes the foul nature of the pig, its diet of refuse, and the diseases it carries, but the principal reason is the divine prohibition itself, which a believer accepts whether or not he perceives the wisdom.

Question 4

What is the proper way to slaughter animals?

Accepted Answer

Imam Malik ruled that lawful slaughter (dhakat) requires: a Muslim or a person of the Book performing it, severing the windpipe and the two jugular veins with a sharp blade, and pronouncing the name of Allah at the time of slaughter. Game hunted with a trained dog or arrow is also lawful when Allah's name is pronounced upon release. Carrion, blood, and what is killed by strangulation or a blow are haram by Quran 5:3.

Question 5

Is alcohol haram in Islam?

Accepted Answer

Every drink that intoxicates is khamr, and every khamr is forbidden — whether it is from grapes, dates, barley, honey, or anything else, and whether it is much or little. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whatever intoxicates in large amounts, a small amount of it is forbidden." The one who drinks it, presses it, sells it, buys it, carries it, the one to whom it is carried, and the one who consumes its price — all are cursed by the tongue of the Messenger (ﷺ). It is the mother of all evils; one who dies addicted to it without repentance has been threatened with not drinking it in the Hereafter.

Question 6

Is it permissible to eat meat slaughtered by Christians and Jews?

Accepted Answer

Imam Malik permitted eating the slaughter of the People of the Book — Jews and Christians — as Allah has said: "And the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you." He held this includes what they slaughter for themselves and for their religious occasions, so long as the slaughter itself is by cutting the throat in a manner that sheds the blood, and the name of other than Allah is not invoked over it. He disliked eating from what they slaughter for their churches and feasts, but did not forbid it outright. As for what is killed by strangulation, electrocution, or without proper slaughter — that is carrion and is forbidden, even from them.

Question 7

What is the ruling on smoking cigarettes?

Accepted Answer

(Ruling derived from the principles of Shaykh al-Islam, applied by the later scholars upon his methodology, since tobacco appeared after his era.) Every substance that harms the body, wastes wealth, and gives off a foul stench from which the angels and worshippers are harmed — it is forbidden under the general texts: "And do not throw yourselves into destruction" and "There is no harm and no reciprocating harm". The medical certainty of its harm, its addictive nature, and its waste of wealth on what brings no benefit place it firmly within the prohibited.

Question 8

Why is alcohol prohibited in Islam?

Accepted Answer

Shaykh Ibn Baz explains that the prohibition of alcohol (khamr) in Islam is absolute and based on clear, decisive texts from the Qur'an and Sunnah. The primary reason for this prohibition is the immense harm intoxicants cause to an individual's religion, mind, body, and society.

Allah the Almighty explicitly forbade it in the Qur'an, describing it as 'defilement from the work of Satan' and commanding believers to avoid it to attain success. The verses highlight the wisdom behind the prohibition, stating that Satan uses intoxicants to sow 'animosity and hatred' among people and to 'avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer.'

Shaykh Ibn Baz clarifies that the term 'khamr' is general. It refers to any substance that 'covers' or clouds the intellect (from the root verb 'khamara'), regardless of its origin—be it from grapes, dates, barley, or other sources. Therefore, any drink or substance that causes intoxication falls under this prohibition. As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated, 'Every intoxicant is khamr, and every intoxicant is haram.'

The severity of this sin is further emphasized by the hadith in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed not only the one who drinks alcohol but everyone involved in its production, trade, and distribution. This comprehensive curse indicates that any cooperation in the sin is also haram.

Thus, alcohol is forbidden because it is the 'mother of all evils' (umm al-khaba'ith), leading to the neglect of religious duties, the commission of other sins, the loss of reason and dignity, and widespread social corruption. The Shari'ah came to protect the five necessities, one of the most important of which is the intellect ('aql), and the prohibition of alcohol is a cornerstone of this protection.

Question 9

Why are Muslims not allowed to eat pork?

Accepted Answer

The prohibition of eating pork is a clear and explicit command from Allah in the Qur'an, and it is not permissible for a Muslim to consume it under any normal circumstances. The primary reason for this prohibition is submission to the will of Allah. When Allah forbids something, the believer abstains out of obedience, trusting in the infinite wisdom and knowledge of the Creator, whether the underlying reason is fully understood or not. This is a fundamental test of faith.

Allah has explicitly mentioned the prohibition in several verses. He refers to the pig as 'rijs' (an abomination, filth, or impurity). The believer is required to avoid that which Allah has described as impure. While modern science may uncover health-related reasons for this prohibition, such as the presence of harmful parasites and diseases in pork, these are considered secondary wisdoms. The foundational reason remains that it is a divine decree.

Shaykh Ibn Baz emphasizes that the Muslim's duty is to say, 'We hear and we obey.' Allah is the All-Wise and All-Knowing, and He only forbids that which is harmful and permits that which is good and pure (tayyib). Therefore, abstaining from pork is an act of worship and a sign of a Muslim's commitment to following the guidance of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. The consensus (ijma') of Muslim scholars throughout history is firm on this prohibition, and there is no differing opinion on the matter.

Question 10

Why are Muslims not allowed to eat pork?

Accepted Answer

The prohibition of consuming pork is a clear and non-negotiable ruling in Islam, established by definitive texts from the Qur'an. Allah, the Most High, has explicitly forbidden it, and for a believer, this divine command is the primary and sufficient reason for abstention.

The fundamental principle is one of submission to Allah's wisdom. A Muslim hears and obeys the commands of his Lord, whether or not he fully comprehends the underlying reasons. This obedience is the essence of worship and a central test of faith. The prohibition of pork is not based on scientific discoveries or cultural norms, but on the unchangeable word of Allah.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen explains that the believer says, 'We hear and we obey.' We are certain that Allah does not forbid something for His servants unless it is harmful to their spiritual and worldly affairs, and He does not command them with something unless it is beneficial for them in their spiritual and worldly affairs.

While the divine command is reason enough, scholars have pointed to the wisdom behind this prohibition. The pig is known to be a filthy animal that consumes impurities (najasah), and its nature is considered base. Consuming such an animal is not befitting for a Muslim, whom Allah has honored and commanded to consume only that which is *tayyib* (pure, good, and wholesome).

Modern science has also confirmed that pork can carry numerous diseases and parasites harmful to humans. However, it must be stressed that these findings only affirm the wisdom of the divine command; they are not the reason for the prohibition. Even if a method were found to raise pigs in a sterile environment, their flesh would remain haram, as the prohibition is absolute and unconditional, based solely on the declaration of Allah.

Food & Drink

Is alcohol haram in Islam?

Is eating pork forbidden and why?

Why is pork forbidden?

What is the proper way to slaughter animals?

Is it permissible to eat meat slaughtered by Christians and Jews?

What is the ruling on smoking cigarettes?

Why is alcohol prohibited in Islam?

What is halal and haram food?

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