What makes food halal in Islam?

Halal food requires the animal to be slaughtered by a Muslim in Allah's name with a swift cut to the throat. Pork and alcohol are always haram. Most seafood is halal.

Is music haram in Islam?

Scholars differ. Many hold that music with immoral lyrics or instruments associated with lewdness is haram. Nasheeds (Islamic songs without instruments) are generally permissible.

Is interest (riba) haram?

Yes. Riba (usury or interest) is explicitly forbidden in the Quran (2:275-280). Islamic finance uses profit-sharing and trade-based contracts instead of interest.

الحلال والحرام في الطعام

Halal & Haram Foods

A plain-language guide to what Islam permits and prohibits in food, with the actual reasons and sources.

Halal

Haram

Mashbooh (unclear/debated)

Supplements & Medications

Haram

Gelatin capsules (pork-derived)

Most vitamin and supplement capsules use porcine (pig) gelatin as the shell. The gelatin source is rarely labelled. Always look for "vegetable capsule", "vegan capsule", or explicit "halal gelatin" on the label.

Quran 2:173

Halal

Gelatin capsules (bovine/halal-certified)

If the capsule is explicitly labelled as bovine gelatin from a halal-slaughtered animal, or certified halal by a recognised body, it is permissible.

Mashbooh

Fish oil / Omega-3 capsules

Depends on source. Fish-derived oil from halal fish is fine. Check if the capsule shell is plant-based. Porcine gelatin shells make them haram.

Mashbooh

Whey protein powder

Whey from halal-certified dairy is permissible. Many non-halal brands use enzymes from pigs (rennet) in cheese production, from which whey is derived. Look for halal-certified versions.

Mashbooh

Collagen supplements

Marine (fish) collagen is generally halal. Bovine collagen from halal-slaughtered cattle is halal. Porcine (pig) collagen is haram. Most supermarket collagen products do not specify source, check before buying.

Mashbooh

Prescription medications with pork gelatin

Many prescription capsules use porcine gelatin. If no halal alternative exists and the medication is medically necessary, the scholarly majority permits its use under necessity (darurah). Consult a scholar and your doctor.

Quran 2:173, necessity lifts prohibition

Halal

Vitamin D3 (lanolin-derived)

Most D3 is derived from sheep lanolin (wool grease), which is permissible. Vitamin D3 from fish liver oil is also halal. Avoid D3 from unverified animal sources.

Mashbooh

Gummies / chewable vitamins

Almost all gummy vitamins use porcine gelatin. Some brands now offer pectin-based (fruit-derived) gummies, these are halal. Always check the ingredients list before purchasing.

Meat & Poultry

Halal

Chicken (zabiha)

Permissible when slaughtered in Allah's name by a Muslim or People of the Book.

Quran 5:5

Halal

Beef (zabiha)

Permissible when properly slaughtered with the name of Allah.

Quran 5:5, 6:121

Halal

Lamb / Mutton

Permissible when properly slaughtered.

Haram

Pork / Pig products

Explicitly prohibited in the Quran. This includes lard, gelatin from pork, and pork-derived additives.

Quran 2:173, 5:3

Haram

Blood

Flowing blood is explicitly forbidden.

Quran 2:173

Haram

Meat not slaughtered in Allah's name

The name of Allah must be invoked at slaughter. Stunning before death is contested among scholars.

Quran 6:121

Mashbooh

Supermarket chicken (non-zabiha)

Scholarly disagreement. Some scholars permit if slaughtered by Christians/Jews with their own blessing. Check with your madhab.

Quran 5:5

Haram

Donkey / Mule

Forbidden by the Prophet (saw) even if slaughtered properly.

Sahih Bukhari 4219

Seafood

Halal

Fish (with scales)

All fish are permissible. No zabiha required for seafood.

Halal

Prawns / Shrimp

Permissible according to the majority. Hanafi scholars consider it makruh (disliked) but not haram.

Mashbooh

Crab / Lobster

Permissible according to Shafi, Maliki, Hanbali schools. Makruh or haram according to Hanafi school.

Quran 5:96

Halal

Shark

Sea creatures are generally permissible.

Haram

Crocodile

Land animals that require zabiha. Crocodile lives on land; most scholars prohibit it.

Alcohol & Intoxicants

Haram

Alcohol / Wine / Beer

Khamr (intoxicants) are absolutely forbidden. Even small amounts are forbidden.

Quran 5:90, Sahih Muslim 3753

Mashbooh

Vanilla extract (alcohol-based)

Scholarly disagreement. Most contemporary scholars permit it in trace amounts used in cooking. Others avoid it entirely.

Halal

Food with trace alcohol (e.g. bread, vinegar)

Vinegar is specifically made halal by the Prophet (saw). Trace fermentation in bread and yoghurt is not intoxicating.

Sahih Muslim 3818

Haram

Energy drinks with alcohol

If the product is intoxicating, it is haram regardless of the source.

Haram

Cannabis / drugs

All intoxicants and mind-altering substances are prohibited.

Sunan Abu Dawud 3686

Animal By-products & Additives

Halal

Gelatin (bovine/halal)

If from a halal-slaughtered animal. Always check the source.

Haram

Gelatin (pork-derived)

Pork gelatin is haram. It is common in sweets, capsules, and some yoghurts.

Mashbooh

Rennet (animal)

If from non-halal slaughtered animal, most scholars say it is impure. Plant-based rennet is fine.

Haram

Carmine / E120 (red dye)

Derived from insects (cochineal). Forbidden by the majority of scholars based on the prohibition of consuming insects.

Sahih Bukhari 5782

Mashbooh

L-cysteine (E920)

May be derived from human hair or pig feathers. Check source.

Halal

Whey / Lactose

Permissible as dairy derivative unless explicitly pork-contaminated.

General Foods

Halal

Vegetables & Fruits

All vegetables and fruits are permissible.

Halal

Eggs

Eggs of halal birds are permissible.

Halal

Honey

Specifically mentioned as a healing food in the Quran.

Quran 16:69

Halal

Dates

Beloved Sunnah food. The Prophet (saw) broke his fast with dates.

Halal

All grains & pulses

Rice, wheat, lentils, and all plant foods are permissible.

Haram

Wild animals with fangs (lion, tiger, wolf)

Predatory animals with fangs or claws are forbidden.

Sahih Muslim 1933

Haram

Birds of prey

Eagles, hawks, falcons and similar birds are prohibited.

Sahih Bukhari 5530

Mashbooh (mash-BOO) means doubtful or debated. When something is unclear, the Prophet (saw) said: "Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt." (Tirmidhi 2518). For personal guidance on specific products, consult a trusted local scholar.