Encyclopedia of Islam

dietary laws

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ages are said to be impure and can prevent Mus-

lims from fulfilling their religious duties unless 

avoided or removed. Only in cases of dire neces-

sity are exceptions made to these prohibitions (Q 

2:172–173).

Specific dietary rules may also apply to wor-

ship and other activities in Muslim life. 

prayer

, 

Fasting

 during r

amadan

, 

almsgiving

, and the 

haJJ

all involve restrictions and procedures concern-

ing food that participants are required to observe. 

Offering food is one of the most important acts of 

charity, but the act is invalid if the food offered is 

forbidden. There are also rules of etiquette rec-

ommended for occasions involving 

Feasting

 and 

hospitality as well as ordinary meals (for example, 

pronouncing the basmala, taking food and drink 

with the right hand, and not reclining while eat-

ing). Sufi brotherhoods have developed rules for 

eating and fasting that apply exclusively to their 

members.

In the modern age of large-scale movements 

of people around the world, science, and fast-food 

franchises, Muslim dietary rules have taken on new 

significance. Many educated Muslims, for example, 

attempt to explain their ancient dietary laws to non-

Muslims in terms of modern concepts of health and 

science. Others use them to maintain their distinc-

tive identities in foreign lands or as their own Mus-

lim cultures undergo far-reaching changes. Studies 

of Muslim immigrants in Europe and the United 

States have shown that adherence to dietary laws 

concerning pork, alcohol, and animal slaughter are 

among the most common aspects of their religious 

tradition they are likely to observe. Practicing Afri-

can-American Muslims are also careful to observe 

Muslim dietary laws. In Muslim countries, many 

of which are quite secular, governments issue laws 

that seek to win compliance for dietary rules and 

control the availability of alcohol. s

aUdi

  a

rabia

, 

l

ibya

, s

Udan

, i

ran

, and a

Fghanistan

 have officially 

banned the sale and public consumption of alco-

hol, although there is often a black market trade in 

such banned beverages.

See also 

animals

; 

apostasy

; 

Food

 

and

 

drink

.