Islamic Diets: What does Islam say about food?
Key Takeaways
In Islam, food is not just sustenance but a means of spiritual purification, gratitude, and ethical responsibility.
Islam encourages moderation, gratitude, and mindfulness in eating, discouraging excess and wastefulness.
Food must be both halal (permissible) and tayyib (pure/good) in Islam. This raises ethical concerns about modern industrialized food production due to the moral and physical impurities involved.
What is food in Islam?
Food in Islam is more than just physical sustenance; it is a divine blessing that nourishes both body and soul. While we often appreciate its taste and nourishment, the deeper spiritual significance of food has become underappreciated. By revisiting Islamic teachings, we can restore a mindful, ethical, and spiritual approach to our diets.
What was the Prophet’s (SAW) guidance on food & eating habits?
Enjoying food is encouraged in Islam, as Allah (SWT) commands:
“O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.”
However, Islam warns against excess. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasized moderation, stating:
“The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is enough for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to straighten his back, but if he must (fill his stomach), then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink, and one-third for his breath.”
Simplicity and humility are also reflected in the Prophet’s (SAW) eating habits. In Ramadan, for example, he would break his fast with dates or, if unavailable, a few sips of water (Tirmidhi, 696). This simple but powerful Sunnah embodies three key Islamic virtues:
Simplicity – Appreciating the blessings in pure and simple foods.
Humility – Eating without extravagance.
Gratitude – Recognizing food as a gift from Allah.
It’s about more than just permissibility. The purity of food is equally important in Islam
Islam urges us to be conscious of what we consume, ensuring it is both halal (permissible) and tayyib (pure and good):
“O people! Eat of the lawful (halal) and pure (tayyib) things in the Earth and follow not in the footsteps of Satan.”
While halal refers to what is legally permissible, tayyib emphasizes purity, goodness, and wholesomeness. Given industrialized animal agriculture’s disregard for Islamic animal ethics – such as the inhumane treatment of animals in factory farms – Muslims must question whether such food can truly be considered tayyib.
For instance, practices like separating calves from mother cows for milk production or starving hens to boost egg production raise serious ethical concerns. At the very least, whether food from such sources can be considered halal and tayyib is very doubtful. And the Prophet (SAW) has advised us to avoid doubtful matters:
“Leave what makes you in doubt for what does not make you in doubt. The truth brings tranquility while falsehood sows doubt.”
Refer to our article on cruelty and controversies in the halal industry for further details.
If the food we eat is not halal and tayyib, even our prayers (duas) go to waste
Avoiding anything doubtful in terms of food is by no means a small matter. Because if it turns out that the food we’re consuming is not halal and tayyib, even our duas are not accepted by Allah (SWT).
The ahadith mention the case of a man who traveled so widely that his appearance had become completely disheveled. However, even the prayers of a man such as this, who had dedicated so much of his being to his faith and supplication, were rejected by God because of the simple fact that his nourishment was not lawful and tayyib.
This is narrated by the Prophet (SAW) as follows:
“O people, Allah is Good and He therefore, accepts only that which is good (tayyib). And Allah commanded the believers as He commanded the Messengers by saying: “O Messengers, eat of the good (tayyib) things, and do good deeds; verily I am aware of what you do”. And He said: “O those who believe, eat of the good (tayyib) things that We gave you”. He then made a mention of a person who travels widely, his hair disheveled and covered with dust. He lifts his hand towards the sky (and thus makes the supplication): “O Lord, O Lord,” whereas his diet is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, and his clothes are unlawful and his nourishment is unlawful. How can then his supplication be accepted?”
Are plant-based diets a viable Islamic alternative?
Given the concerns associated with the modern food industry, plant-based diets offer a viable, ethical alternative that aligns with Islamic values of mercy, compassion, and sustainability.
Firstly, because such foods help us bypass any doubts in terms of their permissibility and purity, as plant-based foods are halal by default. And secondly, they are incredibly healthy (provided we stick to a whole-foods-based diet), helping us avoid major diseases.
These foods also align well with Islam’s intended treatment of animals, which is based on the values of mercy and compassion:
“A man said, ‘Messenger of Allah, I was going to slaughter a sheep and then I felt sorry for it (or ‘sorry for the sheep I was going to slaughter’).’
The Prophet (SAW) said twice, ‘Since you showed mercy to the sheep, Allah will show mercy to you.’”
We’ve written extensively on the relationship of plant-based living with Islam. Be sure to have a read for further information on this topic.
Food is a means of community and connection in Islam
Lastly, we must remember that food is not just a personal experience in Islam; it strengthens social and spiritual bonds between the community.
The Prophet (SAW) emphasized the blessings of sharing meals as follows:
“Eat your meals together and mention the name of Allah over it, for you will be blessed in it.”
By sharing food with those in need – both humans and animals – we deepen our connection with Allah (SWT) as well as His creation.
Redefining our relationship with food
Animal products have held cultural significance for most of human history, with many traditional dishes being based on meat and dairy. But historically, these came from small farms, not the large industrial farms of today, where economics is more important than ethics.
However, as we've discussed throughout this article, this is not in line with Islamic teachings.
In Islam, our connection to food is deeply rooted in ethics and spirituality, not mere gratification. Therefore, as an Ummah, we must revive this understanding and realign our relationship with food to reflect the values of our faith.
