The restrictions on the consumption of food are prescribed in the following verse:
Hur-rimat alaikumul mai-tahu wal dam-maa walah-mul khin-ziri wa-ma-uhil-la li-ghyoi-ril-lah bihi. Wal-mun-’haani-qotu wal mutarad-diyatu wal-nathee-hatu wamaa-akalas sa-buhu il-la ma-zakai-tum wa-ma-zubiha ‘alan nusubi wa-antas-taksimu bil-azlam (5:3)
Prohibited to you the carrion, blood, the decaying meat, and that over which any name other than God’s has been pronounced. The animal that was strangled to death, and the animal that was struck dead by an object, and the animal that died by falling from a height, the animal that was gored to death, and animals partially eaten by beasts unless you rescued them alive. And those sacrificed to idols and those distributed by lots. All these are wicked. (5:3)
This subject (about food) follows on from 5:1 that allows the conditional consumption of wildlife meat.
In 5:2, the emphasis is on the need for strict observation of God’s decrees sanctioned in the system followed by the prescription of the limits or the parameters of those restrictions sanctioned in the consented decree with regard to food.
However, in the middle of 5:3 it says:
Today, the disbelievers have despaired regarding your way of life (deen-nakum). Do not fear them, but fear Me instead. Today, I have perfected your way of life (deen-nakum) for you and completed My favours upon you decreed Islam as the way of life (deen-nan).
In other words, with the limitations on food, the system is complete.
His servants must not impose any other restrictions to complicate matters.
People are reminded to be careful. The Devil will try to mislead us with additional prohibitions. All food (apart from that specifically prohibited) is allowed as long as it is good: The easiest way for the Devil recruits to deceive a man or woman is to make them obey a simple dietary restriction. For example, God designed some animals to be domesticated as provisions to mankind – this is His mercy and blessing. The same species of animals are also found in the wild. But the u’lemas and priests of certain religion tell their followers not to kill all living creatures including livestock. Hence, we see vegetarians all over the place.
Those who consented themselves to these invented restrictions are termed as idol worshipers simply because; they reject God’s blessings, His creations and the good things that He has provided for them. Some would say – vegetarians are defying the law of nature.
Fakulu mim-ma roza-qor-kumul-lah hala-lan thoyiban waskuru ni’matal-lah ainkuntum aiyahu ta’budun (16:114)
Therefore eat what was provided by God, permissible and good. Be appreciative of God’s blessing upon you if you are serving Him. (16:114)
If someone says there are more categories of prohibited food other than which has been detailed in the Reading, then they have attributed lies to God.
Wala-taqulu lima tasifu al-sinatukumul kaziba haza Halalun wa-haza Haramun litaftaru alal-lahi kaziba in-nal-lazi yaftaruna alal-lahil kaziba la-yuf-lihun (16:116)
And do not say lies, “This is Halal (permitted) and this is Haram (forbidden),” inventing lies about God. Surely those who invent lies about God will not succeed. (16:116)
This verse clearly says that those who impose restrictions beyond that which God has decreed are lying. No religion can observe the limits sanctioned by God in 5:3 including the Arab religion.
Food is the common prohibitions imposed by all religions. Obeying any restrictions beyond what was sanctioned by God is idol-worship.
Filed under: Islam | Tagged: animal sacrifice, wildlife conservation, food, halal, wildlife, animal offering
