Haram (Prohibited) Foods in Islam

"He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name has been invoked besides that of ALLAH. But if one is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then he is guiltless. For ALLAH is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful." (Al-Baqara: 173)

Alhamdulillah was-salatu was-salaamu 'ala rasoolillah. All thanks and praise is to ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, and we ask that HIS blessings and peace be upon HIS messenger, Muhammad, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam.

This Aya from Surat Al-Baqara lists the categories of meat and meat derivatives, which are prohibited in the Muslim diet. The meat of animals, which die as a result of any reason other than slaughter, is prohibited. This would include falling from a height, being gored by another animal, as a result of the stunning process in a slaughterhouse, by strangulation, etc. Any animal, which has not been slaughtered, is considered a dead animal and the meat from this animal is considered dead meat and is prohibited. This does not apply to fish, seafood and locusts, which are Halal even if they are not slaughtered (dead).

Blood, which pours from a body, whether properly slaughtered or not. This excludes the blood, which may remain in organs such as the liver or spleen.

All items derived from pigs (swine) are prohibited. This includes the meat (such as bacon, ham, pork chops, etc.), the fat (lard), the skin, the tendons and ligaments (gelatin), enzymes (pepsin) and any other ingredients derived from the animal.

All items derived from animals slaughtered while invoking a name other than that of ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, The Creator. If one slaughters in the name of an individual, any other deity, a cause or any entity other than ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, the entire animal is prohibited.

However, under certain conditions, there is no sin incurred if one partakes of these prohibited items. All the following conditions must be met to escape the sin:

1. Extreme need - no other food is available, including non-meat items, and some sustenance is required to maintain life. In fact, if no other food is available and one chooses to abstain, and then starves to death, they have committed a sin punishable by going to hell-fire. Consequently one must partake of just enough to sustain life.
2. Limited quantity - only the smallest amount necessary to sustain life is allowed. One should not have a full meal. (Remember, for a Muslim, a full meal is one third the volume of the stomach in food and one third in drink.) Some believe that three bites are all that are acceptable.
3. Halal activity - one who sets out to break the rules is not held without sin if he indulges in these prohibited items. If one goes out to commit a crime (sin), runs out of food and only finds these prohibited items, he is not allowed to partake of them; not even to the extent of the limited quantity defined above.
4. Lack of desire - there should be no desire to partake of this prohibited food. However, out of extreme need, one may have to "force it down" to survive.
5. Seek alternative - one must continue to seek a Halal alternative and immediately abstain from further prohibited products when the Halal alternative is found. Of course, if vegetables, roots, berries or other items are available, then these items cannot be eaten.

If one qualifies to eat any of the prohibited items discussed here, then ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, will hold him without sin for that, for ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.