This paper would be dedicated to the assessment of the food proscriptions and related rituals in Islam. The food rituals of Islam may be generally represented in context of following two perspectives: the ones, pertaining to the food hygiene –Dhabīḥah as prescribed approach towards slaughtering the ritual animal and certification of such food with the symbol of Muslim Consumer Group (1) and premised and prohibited for consumption food (Halal and Haram ) (2).
The food hygiene
It is stated in Qur’an that Muslim may consume the food, which has been cooked by a non-Muslim, in the case if one is not aware of the fact that the food was touched by non-Muslim with wetness. Also, consumption of the food is permitted for Muslim in the case if one does not know that forbidden ingredients are added to this food (for example, intoxicating drinks) (Stefon, 2011). All other types of the packed food (the exceptions are the following: fats, meat and the extracts of such products) are permissible for a Muslim even in the case if representatives of this religion may doubt regarding the origin of the components and the way they are cooked (Karmin, 2011).
Halal and Haram
The pure or permissible food is referred as Halal, while forbidden food is defined as Haram. Both Halal and Haram are the legal terms for Muslims, used for defining sinful and pure actions and are also applied in relation to food (Eck et al, 2016).
It is not permitted to eat the flesh of any dead animals and swine as well as eat the food, which has been previously sacrificed or offered to idols. The most radical dietary restriction within the Islamic law refers to alcoholic beverages’ consumption – as they are absolutely forbidden by Qur’an (al-islam, 2014).
References
al-islam.org (2014)Eating & Drinking. Retrieved from: https://www.al-islam.org/a-code-of-practice-for-muslims-in-the-west-ayatullah-sistani/eating-drinking
Karmin, N.A. (2011) Religious Proscriptions and Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from: http://www.nhklabs.com/press/main-articles/81-religious-proscriptions-and-dietary-supplements1
Eck, D., President and Fellows of Harvard College (2016) Halal Food. Retrieved from: http://pluralism.org/religions/islam/the-muslim-%20experience/halal-food/
Stefon, M. (2016) D Dietary law. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/dietary-law/Rules-and-customs-in-world-religions
