Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-v2bm5 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-15T02:45:59.996Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 10 - Islamic Food Law and Dietary Restrictions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2025

Basil H. Aboul-Enein
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
G. Hussein Rassool
Affiliation:
Charles Sturt University
Nada Benajiba
Affiliation:
Ibn Tofail University
Joshua Bernstein
Affiliation:
A. T. Still University of Health Sciences
MoezAlIslam E. Faris
Affiliation:
Applied Science Private University
Get access

Summary

Cultural and religious teachings have the potential to impact health. Qur’anic guidance on food and food behavior instructs Muslims on foods that are permissible or forbidden, on how animals are treated and prepared for consumption, and on diet diversity. The guidance on foods provided in the Holy Qur’an emphasizes the foundation for a healthful approach to food choice and food behavior.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Farouk, M. M., Regenstein, J. M., Pirie, M. R., Najm, R., Bekhit, A. E., & Knowles, S. O. Spiritual aspects of meat and nutritional security: perspectives and responsibilities of the Abrahamic faiths. Food Research International. 2015;76:882–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2015.05.028CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bosire, E. N., Cele, L., Potelwa, X., Cho, A., & Mendenhall, E. God, church water and spirituality: perspectives on health and healing in Soweto, South Africa. Global Public Health. 2022;17(7):1172–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2021.1919738CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Khalid, S. M. N. & Sediqi, S. M. Improving nutritional and food security status in Muslim communities: integration of Quranic practices in development programs – a review. International Journal of Nutrition Sciences. 2018;3(2):6572.Google Scholar
Ailin, Qian. Delights in paradise: a comparative survey of heavenly food and drink in the Quran. In: Sebastian Günther & Todd Lawson, eds. Roads to Paradise: Eschatology and Concepts of the Hereafter in Islam. Vol. 1. Leiden: Brill. 2017. 251–70. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004333154_012Google Scholar
Berry, E. M., Arnoni, Y., & Aviram, M. The Middle Eastern and biblical origins of the Mediterranean diet. Public Health Nutrition. 2011;14(12A):2288–95. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980011002539CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Odukoya, O. O., Odediran, O., Rogers, C. R., Ogunsola, F., & Okuyemi, K. S. Barriers and facilitators of fruit and vegetable consumption among Nigerian adults in a faith-based setting: a pre-intervention qualitative inquiry. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: APJCP. 2022;23(5):1505–11. https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2022.23.5.1505CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roudsari, A. H., Vedadhir, A., Amiri, P., Kalantari, N., Omidvar, N., Eini-Zinab, H., et al. Psycho-socio-cultural determinants of food choice: a qualitative study on adults in social and cultural context of Iran. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry. 2017;12(4):241.Google Scholar
Pakeeza, S. & Munir, M. Dietary laws of Islam and Judaism: a comparative study. Al-Az̤vā. 2016;31(45):14.Google Scholar
Lipka, M. Muslims and Islam: key findings in the US and around the world. [online]. Pew Research Center. 2017 [Accessed September 3, 2023]. Available from: https://pewrsr.ch/4dSVIE9Google Scholar
Farid, M. & Basri, H. The effects of haram food on human emotional and spiritual intelligence levels. Indonesian Journal of Halal Research. 2020;2(1):2126. http://dx.doi.org/10.15575/ijhar.v2i1.7711CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kocturk, T. O. Food rules in the Koran. Food & Nutrition Research. 2002;1:137–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/11026480260363279Google Scholar
Hibban, M. F. Living Quran and Sunnah as the foundation of a holistic healthy lifestyle. International Journal of Islamic and Complementary Medicine. 2022;3(2):4956. https://doi.org/10.55116/IJICM.V3I2.40CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aboul-Enein, B. H. Health-promoting verses as mentioned in the Holy Quran. Journal of Religion and Health. 2016;55:821–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9857-8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chouraqui, J. P., Turck, D., Briend, A., Darmaun, D., Bocquet, A., Feillet, F., et al. Religious dietary rules and their potential nutritional and health consequences. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2021;50(1):1226. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa182CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dieterich, C. M., Felice, J. P., O’Sullivan, E., & Rasmussen, K. M. Breastfeeding and health outcomes for the mother-infant dyad. Pediatric Clinics. 2013;60(1):3148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2012.09.010Google ScholarPubMed
Ip, S., Chung, M., Raman, G., Chew, P., Magula, N., DeVine, D., et al. Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment. 2007;(153):1–186.Google Scholar
Stuebe, A. The risks of not breastfeeding for mothers and infants. Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2009;2(4):222.Google Scholar
Bensaid, B. Breastfeeding as a fundamental Islamic human right. Journal of Religion and Health. 2021;60(1):362–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00835-5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mehrpisheh, S., Memarian, A., Ameri, M., & Saberi, I. M. The importance of breastfeeding based on Islamic rules and Qur’an. Hospital Practices and Research. 2020;5(2):3741. http://dx.doi.org/10.34172/hpr.2020.08CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Firoozabadi, M. D. & Ali, M. S. Breastfeeding from Quran to medical science. International Journal of Current Research and Academic Review. 2015;3:134–37.Google Scholar
Bayyenat, S., Hashemi, S. A., Purbafrani, A., Saeidi, M., & Khodaee, G. H. The importance of breastfeeding in Holy Quran. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2014;2(4):339–47. https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2014.3396Google Scholar
Kamoun, C. & Spatz, D. Influence of Islamic traditions on breastfeeding beliefs and practices among African American Muslims in west Philadelphia: a mixed-methods study. Journal of Human Lactation. 2018;34(1):164–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334417705856CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mohamad, E., Ahmad, A. L., Rahim, S. A., & Pawanteh, L. Understanding religion and social expectations in contemporary Muslim society when promoting breastfeeding. Asian Social Science. 2013;9(10):264. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v9n10p264CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kohan, S., Heidari, Z., & Keshvari, M. Facilitators for empowering women in breastfeeding: a qualitative study. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2016;4(1):1287–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2016.6376Google Scholar
Saljughi, F., Savabi Esfahani, M., Kohan, S., & Ehsanpour, S. Promoting breastfeeding self-efficacy through role-playing in pregnant women. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2016;4(7):2061–68. https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2016.7000Google Scholar
Aboul-Enein, B. H. Reflections of the Holy Quran and the Mediterranean Diet: a culturally congruent approach to obesity? Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2015;8(2):149–54. https://doi.org/10.3233/MNM-150041CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Michalak, L. & Trocki, K. Alcohol and Islam: an overview. Contemporary Drug Problems. 2006;33(4):523–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/009145090603300401CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kashim, M. I. A. M., Majid, L. A., Adnan, A. H. M., Husni, A. B. M., Nasohah, Z., Samsudin, M. A., et al. Principles regarding the use of haram (forbidden) sources in food processing: a critical Islamic analysis. Asian Social Science. 2015;11(22):1725. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n22p17Google Scholar
Rahman, S. A. Religion and animal welfare: an Islamic perspective. Animals. 2017;7(2):11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani7020011CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Abdullah, F. A., Borilova, G., & Steinhauserova, I. Halal criteria versus conventional slaughter technology. Animals. 2019;9(8):530. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9080530CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Farouk, M. M., Pufpaff, K. M., & Amir, M. Industrial halal meat production and animal welfare: a review. Meat Science. 2016;120:6070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.04.023CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Benzertiha, A., Kierończyk, B. A., Rawski, M., Jozefiak, A., Mazurkiewicz, J., Jozefiak, D., et al. Cultural and practical aspects of halal slaughtering in food production. Medycyna Weterynaryjna. 2018;74(6):371–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.21521/mw.6023CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Samori, Z., Ishak, A., & Kassan, N. H. Understanding the development of halal food standard: suggestion for future research. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity. 2014;4(6):482–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.7763/IJSSH.2014.V4.403CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nath, J., Henderson, J., Coveney, J., & Ward, P. Consumer faith: an exploration of trust in food and the impact of religious dietary norms and certification. Food, Culture & Society. 2013;16(3):421–36. https://doi.org/10.2752/175174413X13673466711840CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Henderson, J. C. Halal food, certification and halal tourism: insights from Malaysia and Singapore. Tourism Management Perspectives. 2016;19:160–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2015.12.006CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fuseini, A., Wotton, S. B., Hadley, P. J., & Knowles, T. G. The compatibility of modern slaughter techniques with halal slaughter: a review of the aspects of “modern” slaughter methods that divide scholarly opinion within the Muslim community. Animal Welfare. 2017;26(3):301–10. https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.26.3.301CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zulfakar, M. H., Anuar, M. M., & Ab Talib, M. S. Conceptual framework on halal food supply chain integrity enhancement. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2014;121:5867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.1108CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jia, X. & Chaozhi, Z. Turning impediment into attraction: a supplier perspective on halal food in non-Islamic destinations. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management. 2021;19:100517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2020.100517CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ab Talib, M. S., Abdul Hamid, A. B., & Ai Chin, T. Motivations and limitations in implementing halal food certification: a Pareto analysis. British Food Journal. 2015;117(11):2664–705. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-02-2015-0055CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ab Talib, M. S., Ai Chin, T., & Fischer, J. Linking halal food certification and business performance. British Food Journal. 2017;119(7):1606–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-01-2017-0019CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fuseini, A. Halal food certification in the UK and its impact on food businesses: a review in the context of the European Union. CABI Reviews. 2017;12(7):17. https://doi.org/10.1079/PAVSNNR201712007Google Scholar
Nuraini, S. Comparison halal food regulation and practices to support halal tourism in Asia: a review. InIOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 2021;733:012044. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/733/1/012044Google Scholar
Mansour, R., Liamputtong, P., & Arora, A. Food security among Libyan migrants living in Australia: a qualitative study. Sustainability. 2021;13(24):13853. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413853CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lawlis, T., Islam, W., & Upton, P. Achieving the four dimensions of food security for resettled refugees in Australia: a systematic review. Nutrition & Dietetics. 2018;75(2):182–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12402CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vatanparast, H., Koc, M., Farag, M., Garcea, J., Engler-Stringer, R., Qarmout, T., et al. Exploring food security among recently resettled Syrian refugees: results from a qualitative study in two Canadian cities. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care. 2020;16(4):527–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-03-2019-0031CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goliaei, Z., Gonzalez, M., Diaz Rios, K., Pokhrel, M., & Burke, N. J. Post-resettlement food insecurity: Afghan refugees and challenges of the new environment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023;20(10):5846. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105846CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moffat, T., Mohammed, C., & Newbold, K. B. Cultural dimensions of food insecurity among immigrants and refugees. Human Organization. 2017;76(1):1527. https://doi.org/10.17730/0018-7259.76.1.15CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kamarulzaman, Y., Veeck, A., Mumuni, A. G., Luqmani, M., & Quraeshi, Z. A. Religion, markets, and digital media: seeking halal food in the US. Journal of Macromarketing. 2016;36(4):400411. https://doi.org/10.1177/0276146715622243CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mostafa, M. M. Global halal food discourse on social media: a text mining approach. The Journal of International Communication. 2020;26(2):211–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/13216597.2020.1795702CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mostafa, M. M. Information diffusion in halal food social media: a social network approach. Journal of International Consumer Marketing. 2021;33(4):471–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/08961530.2020.1818158CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stella, S. Y., Wyatt, L. C., Patel, S., Choy, C., Dhar, R., Zanowiak, J. M., et al. A faith-based intervention to reduce blood pressure in underserved metropolitan New York immigrant communities. Preventing Chronic Disease. 2019;16:E106. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd16.180618Google Scholar
Hays, K. & Aranda, M. P. Faith-based mental health interventions with African Americans: a review. Research on Social Work Practice. 2016;26(7):777–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731515569356CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Onyishi, C. N., Ilechukwu, L. C., Victor-Aigbodion, V., & Eseadi, C. Impact of spiritual beliefs and faith-based interventions on diabetes management. World Journal of Diabetes. 2021;12(5):630. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v12.i5.630CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bopp, M., Peterson, J. A., & Webb, B. L. A comprehensive review of faith-based physical activity interventions. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2012;6(6):460–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827612439285CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kotzur, M., Amiri, R., Gatting, L., Robb, K. A., Ling, J., Mooney, J. D., et al. Adapting participatory workshops to a virtual setting: co-design with Muslim women of a faith-based intervention to encourage cancer screening uptake. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. 2023;22:115. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205194CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ismail, S., Abdul Rahman, H., Abidin, E. Z., Isha, A. S., Abu Bakar, S., Zulkifley, N. A., et al. The effect of faith-based smoking cessation intervention during Ramadan among Malay smokers. Qatar Medical Journal. 2017;2016(2):16. https://doi.org/10.5339/qmj.2016.16Google ScholarPubMed
Padela, A. I., Malik, S., Ally, S. A., Quinn, M., Hall, S., & Peek, M. Reducing Muslim mammography disparities: outcomes from a religiously tailored mosque-based intervention. Health Education & Behavior. 2018;45(6):1025–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198118769371CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×