Forbidden Foods and Islamic Social Etiquette
Forbidden Foods and Drinks in Islam
Any unclean, harmful food or drink forbidden by Sharia evidence in the Quran or authentic Sunnah is prohibited. These are categorized as follows:
1. Unclean Foods and Drinks (Described as Filth in Sharia Texts)
- Dead Animals: Animals that have died and were not slaughtered according to Sharia, or which were slaughtered for idols.
- Blood Poured Forth: Blood that gushes out when an animal is slaughtered.
- Flesh of Swine: Including pig fat, oil, and anything made from them.
- Intoxicants: Forbidden whether natural, manufactured, or extracted from other substances.
- Drugs: Forbidden regardless of the method of use (eating, drinking, smoking, smelling, sniffing, or intravenous).
- Domesticated Donkey: Both meat and milk are forbidden.
2. Bad Foods and Drinks
- Harmful Plants and Poisonous Fruits: Such as tobacco used in cigarettes.
- Pernicious Animals: Including insects, mice, and rats. Some pernicious animals eat carcasses (e.g., dogs and vultures); others are poisonous (e.g., snakes and scorpions).
- Wild Animals with Fangs: Such as wolves, leopards, bears, foxes, cats, lions, and tigers.
- Birds with Talons Used in Hunting: Such as eagles, owls, and hawks.
Additional vocabulary:
- تَرَدَّى – Dropped himself
- تَحَسَّى – Drank
- يَجَأْ بِهَا – Stab
- وَقَعَتِ – Befall, occur
- مُنْبَثَّةً – Scattered, disperse
- جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ – Gardens of delights
- يَطُوفُ – Wait
- الْوَاقِعَةُ – The Day of Judgment
- رُجَّتْ – Was shaken
- بُسَّتْ – Ground to powder
- هَبَاءً مُنْبَثًّا – Scattered dust
- أَزْوَاجًا – Kinds
- فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ – One of the categories of the people of Paradise
- أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ – The people of Hellfire
- ثُلَّةٌ – A large group of people
- مَوْضُونَةً – Woven with gold and inlaid with pearls and rubies
- مَعِينٍ – A drink from a flowing spring
- لَا يَصْدَعُونَ عَنْهَا – They get no aching of the head
- وَلَا يَنْزِفُونَ – Lose their mind
- الْمَكْنُونُ – Pearls that are hidden and protected within their shells
- تَأْثِيمًا – Hear no sinful speech
The Character of a Muslim: Lessons from Imam Muslim
A Muslim utilizes the circumstances around them to develop their skills. Imam Muslim’s family was devoted to scholarly studies, and his father was known for his extensive scientific knowledge and his reading in Sharia sciences.
Wealth is a blessing from Allah entrusted to man to spend on things that benefit him. Imam Muslim was a wealthy merchant who sold clothes and owned farms. He used to spend on himself and his relatives from the revenue of his farms.
A person who pursues scholarly knowledge shows deference and respect to their teacher. Imam Muslim used to kiss his Sheikh Al-Bukhari on the forehead and described him as the teacher of teachers and master of Muhaddithin (Hadith scholars).
Diverse sources of knowledge enrich a person’s character. Imam Muslim never spoke ill of anyone behind their back; he never hit or cursed anyone.
Man appreciates the element of time; hence, he does not waste time in trivial matters. Imam Muslim was an example of a faithful youth who was keen on purposefully investing his time and money.
Man benefits from the diversity of the civilization surrounding him. His country was famous for textiles and sewing. Therefore, he worked in a vocation that suited his time.
The Importance of Rights in Hadith
In the Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned six rights a Muslim has over another Muslim to strengthen social ties and empower Islamic values and ethics. These rights promote peace, love, cooperation, appreciation, respect, and positive participation in joys and sorrows.
The Effects of Visiting the Sick
Visiting a sick person lessens their suffering and brings them pleasure and contentment, knowing they are the focus of the visitor’s attention. The visitor must express concern by praying for the sick person’s complete recovery (du’a), encouraging them with kind words and positive conversation. The visit also positively affects the patient’s relatives, fostering compassion, sympathy, and communication in society.
The Requirement of Giving Advice
Asking for advice indicates trust in the advisor and recognition of their wisdom. It reflects the advice seeker’s need. The advisor should give advice honestly, direct the seeker to what is good, free them from confusion, and protect them from harm. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “A consultant is trustworthy.”