Quran Verses about Lawful and unlawful food

33 ayahs · from 9 surahs

Allah commands people to eat what is lawful and good of His provision, to be grateful, and not to follow the footsteps of Satan. What is forbidden is carrion, flowing blood, the flesh of swine, and animals slaughtered in a name other than Allah's, as well as those strangled, beaten, fallen, gored or mauled by a beast unless slaughtered in time, with allowance for one who is forced by necessity without desiring it or going beyond the limit. The verses also make lawful livestock, the catch of trained hunting animals, food from the sea and the slaughtered meat of the People of the Book, command eating what was slaughtered with Allah's name mentioned, and forbid declaring unlawful what Allah made lawful, as the polytheists did.

The command to eat what is lawful and good

  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُواْ مِمَّا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ حَلَٰلٗا طَيِّبٗا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٞ مُّبِينٌ ١٦٨

    Yāʾayyuhan-nāsu kulū mimmā fil-arḍi ḥalālan ṭayyibaw wa lā tattabiʿū khuṭuwātish-shayṭān, innahū lakum ʿaduwwum mubīn.

    O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَٰتِ مَا رَزَقۡنَٰكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ إِيَّاهُ تَعۡبُدُونَ ١٧٢

    Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū kulū min ṭayyibāti mā razaqnākum washkurū lillāhi in kuntum iyyāhu taʿbudūn.

    O you who have believed, eat from the good [i.e., lawful] things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allāh if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.

  1. وَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَٰلٗا طَيِّبٗاۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤۡمِنُونَ ٨٨

    Wa kulū mimmā razaqakumullāhu ḥalālan ṭayyibā, wattaqullāhal-ladhī antum bihī muʾminūn.

    And eat of what Allāh has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear Allāh, in whom you are believers.

  1. فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَٰلٗا طَيِّبٗا وَٱشۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ إِيَّاهُ تَعۡبُدُونَ ١١٤

    Fakulū mimmā razaqakumullāhu ḥalālan ṭayyibaw washkurū niʿmatallāhi in kuntum iyyāhu taʿbudūn.

    Then eat of what Allāh has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allāh, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.

  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرُّسُلُ كُلُواْ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَٱعۡمَلُواْ صَٰلِحًاۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ عَلِيمٞ ٥١

    Yāʾayyuhar-rusulu kulū minaṭ-ṭayyibāti waʿmalū ṣāliḥā, innī bimā taʿmalūna ʿalīm.

    [Allāh said], "O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed I, of what you do, am Knowing.

Forbidden food and the allowance for necessity

  1. إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحۡمَ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِۖ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ غَيۡرَ بَاغٖ وَلَا عَادٖ فَلَآ إِثۡمَ عَلَيۡهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٌ ١٧٣

    Innamā ḥarrama ʿalaykumul-maytata wad-dama wa laḥmal-khinzīri wa mā uhilla bihī lighayrillāh, famaniḍṭurra ghayra bāghiw wa lā ʿādin falā ithma ʿalayh, innallāha ghafūrur raḥīm.

    He has only forbidden to you dead animals,1 blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Those not slaughtered or hunted expressly for food.
  1. حُرِّمَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحۡمُ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡمُنۡخَنِقَةُ وَٱلۡمَوۡقُوذَةُ وَٱلۡمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَٱلنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَآ أَكَلَ ٱلسَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيۡتُمۡ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى ٱلنُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسۡتَقۡسِمُواْ بِٱلۡأَزۡلَٰمِۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ فِسۡقٌۗ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَئِسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡنِۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمَ دِينٗاۚ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ فِي مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٖ لِّإِثۡمٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ٣

    Ḥurrimat ʿalaykumul-maytatu wad-damu wa laḥmul-khinzīri wa mā uhilla lighayrillāhi bihī wal-munkhaniqatu wal-mawqūdhatu wal-mutaraddiyatu wan-naṭīḥatu wa mā akalas-sabuʿu illā mā dhakkaytum wa mā dhubiḥa ʿalan-nuṣubi wa an tastaqsimū bil-azlām, dhālikum fisq, al-yawma yaʾisal-ladhīna kafarū min dīnikum falā takhshawhum wakhshawn, al-yawma akmaltu lakum dīnakum wa atmamtu ʿalaykum niʿmatī wa raḍītu lakumul-islāma dīnā, famaniḍṭurra fī makhmaṣatin ghayra mutajānifil liʾithmin fa innallāha ghafūrur raḥīm.

    Prohibited to you are dead animals,1 blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars,2 and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. See footnote to 2:173.
    2. In the name of anything other than Allāh.
  1. قُل لَّآ أَجِدُ فِي مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٖ يَطۡعَمُهُۥٓ إِلَّآ أَن يَكُونَ مَيۡتَةً أَوۡ دَمٗا مَّسۡفُوحًا أَوۡ لَحۡمَ خِنزِيرٖ فَإِنَّهُۥ رِجۡسٌ أَوۡ فِسۡقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦۚ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ غَيۡرَ بَاغٖ وَلَا عَادٖ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ١٤٥

    Qul lā ajidu fī mā ūḥiya ilayya muḥarraman ʿalā ṭāʿimiy yaṭʿamuhū illā ay yakūna maytatan aw damam masfūḥan aw laḥma khinzīrin fa innahū rijsun aw fisqan uhilla lighayrillāhi bih, famaniḍṭurra ghayra bāghiw wa lā ʿādin fa inna rabbaka ghafūrur raḥīm.

    Say, "I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine - for indeed, it is impure - or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allāh.1 But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Refer to 2:173 and 5:3.
  1. إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحۡمَ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦۖ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ غَيۡرَ بَاغٖ وَلَا عَادٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ١١٥

    Innamā ḥarrama ʿalaykumul-maytata wad-dama wa laḥmal-khinzīri wa mā uhilla lighayrillāhi bih, famaniḍṭurra ghayra bāghiw wa lā ʿādin fa innallāha ghafūrur raḥīm.

    He has only forbidden to you dead animals,1 blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Those not slaughtered or hunted expressly for food.

Livestock, game, food from the sea, and the food of the People of the Book

  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعُقُودِۚ أُحِلَّتۡ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ إِلَّا مَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ غَيۡرَ مُحِلِّي ٱلصَّيۡدِ وَأَنتُمۡ حُرُمٌۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحۡكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ ١

    Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū awfū bil-ʿuqūd, uḥillat lakum bahīmatul-anʿāmi illā mā yutlā ʿalaykum ghayra muḥilliṣ-ṣaydi wa antum ḥurum, innallāha yaḥkumu mā yurīd.

    O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.1 Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur’ān] - hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of iḥrām.2 Indeed, Allāh ordains what He intends.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. Which includes promises, covenants, oaths, etc.
    2. The state of ritual consecration for ḥajj or ʿumrah.
  1. يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَآ أُحِلَّ لَهُمۡۖ قُلۡ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتُ وَمَا عَلَّمۡتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱللَّهُۖ فَكُلُواْ مِمَّآ أَمۡسَكۡنَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهِۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ ٤

    Yasʾalūnaka mādhā uḥilla lahum, qul uḥilla lakumuṭ-ṭayyibātu wa mā ʿallamtum minal-jawāriḥi mukallibīna tuʿallimūnahunna mimmā ʿallamakumullāh, fakulū mimmā amsakna ʿalaykum wadhkurusmallāhi ʿalayh, wattaqullāh, innallāha sarīʿul-ḥisāb.

    They ask you, [O Muḥammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, "Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting animals1 which you train as Allāh has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allāh upon it, and fear Allāh." Indeed, Allāh is swift in account.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Such as dogs, falcons, etc.
  2. ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتُۖ وَطَعَامُ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ حِلّٞ لَّكُمۡ وَطَعَامُكُمۡ حِلّٞ لَّهُمۡۖ وَٱلۡمُحۡصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ وَٱلۡمُحۡصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ إِذَآ ءَاتَيۡتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحۡصِنِينَ غَيۡرَ مُسَٰفِحِينَ وَلَا مُتَّخِذِيٓ أَخۡدَانٖۗ وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلۡإِيمَٰنِ فَقَدۡ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُۥ وَهُوَ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ ٥

    Al-yawma uḥilla lakumuṭ-ṭayyibāt, wa ṭaʿāmul-ladhīna ūtul-kitāba ḥillul lakum wa ṭaʿāmukum ḥillul lahum, wal-muḥṣanātu minal-muʾmināti wal-muḥṣanātu minal-ladhīna ūtul-kitāba min qablikum idhā ātaytumūhunna ujūrahunna muḥṣinīna ghayra musāfiḥīna wa lā muttakhidhī akhdān, wa may yakfur bil-īmāni faqad ḥabiṭa ʿamaluhū wa huwa fil-ākhirati minal-khāsirīn.

    This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation,1 desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. The specified bridal gift (mahr).
  1. أُحِلَّ لَكُمۡ صَيۡدُ ٱلۡبَحۡرِ وَطَعَامُهُۥ مَتَٰعٗا لَّكُمۡ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِۖ وَحُرِّمَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ صَيۡدُ ٱلۡبَرِّ مَا دُمۡتُمۡ حُرُمٗاۗ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِيٓ إِلَيۡهِ تُحۡشَرُونَ ٩٦

    Uḥilla lakum ṣaydul-baḥri wa ṭaʿāmuhū matāʿal lakum walis-sayyārah, wa ḥurrima ʿalaykum ṣaydul-barri mā dumtum ḥurumā, wattaqullāhal-ladhī ilayhi tuḥsharūn.

    Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travelers,1 but forbidden to you is game from the land as long as you are in the state of iḥrām. And fear Allāh to whom you will be gathered.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Fishing and eating whatever is caught from the sea is permitted even during iḥrām.
  1. وَمِنَ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ حَمُولَةٗ وَفَرۡشٗاۚ كُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٞ مُّبِينٞ ١٤٢

    Wa minal-anʿāmi ḥamūlataw wa farshā, kulū mimmā razaqakumullāhu wa lā tattabiʿū khuṭuwātish-shayṭān, innahū lakum ʿaduwwum mubīn.

    And of the grazing livestock are carriers [of burdens] and those [too] small. Eat of what Allāh has provided for you and do not follow the footsteps of Satan.1 Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. As the disbelievers have done in making their own rulings about what is permissible and what is prohibited.

Meat slaughtered with Allah's name mentioned

  1. فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا ذُكِرَ ٱسۡمُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهِ إِن كُنتُم بِـَٔايَٰتِهِۦ مُؤۡمِنِينَ ١١٨

    Fakulū mimmā dhukirasmullāhi ʿalayhi in kuntum biʾāyātihī muʾminīn.

    So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allāh has been mentioned,1 if you are believers in His verses [i.e., revealed law].

    Footnotes (1)
    1. At the time of slaughter.
  2. وَمَا لَكُمۡ أَلَّا تَأۡكُلُواْ مِمَّا ذُكِرَ ٱسۡمُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهِ وَقَدۡ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِلَّا مَا ٱضۡطُرِرۡتُمۡ إِلَيۡهِۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرٗا لَّيُضِلُّونَ بِأَهۡوَآئِهِم بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُعۡتَدِينَ ١١٩

    Wa mā lakum allā taʾkulū mimmā dhukirasmullāhi ʿalayhi wa qad faṣṣala lakum mā ḥarrama ʿalaykum illā maḍṭurirtum ilayh, wa inna kathīral layuḍillūna biʾahwāʾihim bighayri ʿilm, inna rabbaka huwa aʿlamu bil-muʿtadīn.

    And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of Allāh has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled.1 And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord - He is most knowing of the transgressors.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. In cases of dire necessity, what is normally prohibited becomes permissible, but only to the extent of the need.
  1. وَذَرُواْ ظَٰهِرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَبَاطِنَهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡسِبُونَ ٱلۡإِثۡمَ سَيُجۡزَوۡنَ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَقۡتَرِفُونَ ١٢٠

    Wadharū ẓāhiral-ithmi wa bāṭinah, innal-ladhīna yaksibūnal-ithma sayujzawna bimā kānū yaqtarifūn.

    And leave [i.e., desist from] what is apparent of sin and what is concealed thereof. Indeed, those who earn [blame for] sin will be recompensed for that which they used to commit.

  2. وَلَا تَأۡكُلُواْ مِمَّا لَمۡ يُذۡكَرِ ٱسۡمُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَفِسۡقٞۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَوۡلِيَآئِهِمۡ لِيُجَٰدِلُوكُمۡۖ وَإِنۡ أَطَعۡتُمُوهُمۡ إِنَّكُمۡ لَمُشۡرِكُونَ ١٢١

    Wa lā taʾkulū mimmā lam yudhkarismullāhi ʿalayhi wa innahū lafisq, wa innash-shayāṭīna layūḥūna ilā awliyāʾihim liyujādilūkum, wa in aṭaʿtumūhum innakum lamushrikūn.

    And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allāh has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience. And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him].1

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., by your obedience to them - obedience being the basis of worship.

Not forbidding what Allah made lawful

  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُحَرِّمُواْ طَيِّبَٰتِ مَآ أَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ وَلَا تَعۡتَدُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدِينَ ٨٧

    Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū lā tuḥarrimū ṭayyibāti mā aḥallallāhu lakum wa lā taʿtadū, innallāha lā yuḥibbul-muʿtadīn.

    O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allāh has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allāh does not like transgressors.

  1. وَقَالُواْ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أَنۡعَٰمٞ وَحَرۡثٌ حِجۡرٞ لَّا يَطۡعَمُهَآ إِلَّا مَن نَّشَآءُ بِزَعۡمِهِمۡ وَأَنۡعَٰمٌ حُرِّمَتۡ ظُهُورُهَا وَأَنۡعَٰمٞ لَّا يَذۡكُرُونَ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهَا ٱفۡتِرَآءً عَلَيۡهِۚ سَيَجۡزِيهِم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ ١٣٨

    Wa qālū hādhihī anʿāmuw wa ḥarthun ḥijrul lā yaṭʿamuhā illā man nashāʾu bizaʿmihim wa anʿāmun ḥurrimat ẓuhūruhā wa anʿāmul lā yadhkurūnasmallāhi ʿalayhaftirāʾan ʿalayh, sayajzīhim bimā kānū yaftarūn.

    And they say, "These animals1 and crops are forbidden; no one may eat from them except whom we will," by their claim. And there are those [camels] whose backs are forbidden [by them]2 and those upon which the name of Allāh is not mentioned3 - [all of this] an invention of untruth about Him.4 He will punish them for what they were inventing.

    Footnotes (4)
    1. The four categories of grazing livestock called "anʿām" collectively.
    2. See 5:103.
    3. At the time of slaughter. Rather, they are dedicated to others among their "deities."
    4. i.e., false assertions that such practices are part of Allāh's religion.
  2. وَقَالُواْ مَا فِي بُطُونِ هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ خَالِصَةٞ لِّذُكُورِنَا وَمُحَرَّمٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَزۡوَٰجِنَاۖ وَإِن يَكُن مَّيۡتَةٗ فَهُمۡ فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُۚ سَيَجۡزِيهِمۡ وَصۡفَهُمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٞ ١٣٩

    Wa qālū mā fī buṭūni hādhihil-anʿāmi khāliṣatul lidhukūrinā wa muḥarramun ʿalā azwājinā, wa iy yakum maytatan fahum fīhi shurakāʾ, sayajzīhim waṣfahum, innahū ḥakīmun ʿalīm.

    And they say, "What is in the bellies of these animals1 is exclusively for our males and forbidden to our females. But if it is [born] dead, then all of them have shares therein." He will punish them for their description.2 Indeed, He is Wise and Knowing.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. i.e., their milk and offspring.
    2. Of what is lawful and unlawful according to their whims.
  3. قَدۡ خَسِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَتَلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَهُمۡ سَفَهَۢا بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٖ وَحَرَّمُواْ مَا رَزَقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱفۡتِرَآءً عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ قَدۡ ضَلُّواْ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُهۡتَدِينَ ١٤٠

    Qad khasiral-ladhīna qatalū awlādahum safaham bighayri ʿilmiw wa ḥarramū mā razaqahumullāhuftirāʾan ʿalallāh, qad ḍallū wa mā kānū muhtadīn.

    They will have lost who killed their children in foolishness without knowledge and prohibited what Allāh had provided for them, inventing untruth about Allāh. They have gone astray and were not [rightly] guided.

  1. ثَمَٰنِيَةَ أَزۡوَٰجٖۖ مِّنَ ٱلضَّأۡنِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِ وَمِنَ ٱلۡمَعۡزِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِۗ قُلۡ ءَآلذَّكَرَيۡنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ ٱلۡأُنثَيَيۡنِ أَمَّا ٱشۡتَمَلَتۡ عَلَيۡهِ أَرۡحَامُ ٱلۡأُنثَيَيۡنِۖ نَبِّـُٔونِي بِعِلۡمٍ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ ١٤٣

    Thamāniyata azwāj, minaḍ-ḍaʾnithnayni wa minal-maʿzithnayn, qul ādh-dhakarayni ḥarrama amil-unthayayni ammashtamalat ʿalayhi arḥāmul-unthayayn, nabbiʾūnī biʿilmin in kuntum ṣādiqīn.

    [They are] eight mates - of the sheep, two and of the goats, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Inform me with knowledge, if you should be truthful."

  2. وَمِنَ ٱلۡإِبِلِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِ وَمِنَ ٱلۡبَقَرِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِۗ قُلۡ ءَآلذَّكَرَيۡنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ ٱلۡأُنثَيَيۡنِ أَمَّا ٱشۡتَمَلَتۡ عَلَيۡهِ أَرۡحَامُ ٱلۡأُنثَيَيۡنِۖ أَمۡ كُنتُمۡ شُهَدَآءَ إِذۡ وَصَّىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهَٰذَاۚ فَمَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبٗا لِّيُضِلَّ ٱلنَّاسَ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ ١٤٤

    Wa minal-ibilithnayni wa minal-baqarithnayn, qul ādh-dhakarayni ḥarrama amil-unthayayni ammashtamalat ʿalayhi arḥāmul-unthayayn, am kuntum shuhadāʾa idh waṣṣākumullāhu bihādhā, faman aẓlamu mimmaniftarā ʿalallāhi kadhibal liyuḍillan-nāsa bighayri ʿilm, innallāha lā yahdil-qawmaẓ-ẓālimīn.

    And of the camels, two and of the cattle, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allāh charged you with this? Then who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allāh to mislead the people by [something] other than knowledge? Indeed, Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people."

  1. قُلۡ هَلُمَّ شُهَدَآءَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشۡهَدُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ حَرَّمَ هَٰذَاۖ فَإِن شَهِدُواْ فَلَا تَشۡهَدۡ مَعَهُمۡۚ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ أَهۡوَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَهُم بِرَبِّهِمۡ يَعۡدِلُونَ ١٥٠

    Qul halumma shuhadāʾakumul-ladhīna yashhadūna annallāha ḥarrama hādhā, fa in shahidū falā tashhad maʿahum, wa lā tattabiʿ ahwāʾal-ladhīna kadhdhabū biʾāyātinā wal-ladhīna lā yuʾminūna bil-ākhirati wa hum birabbihim yaʿdilūn.

    Say, [O Muḥammad], "Bring forward your witnesses who will testify that Allāh has prohibited this." And if they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the desires of those who deny Our verses and those who do not believe in the Hereafter, while they equate [others] with their Lord.

  1. قُلۡ مَنۡ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَخۡرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ وَٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلرِّزۡقِۚ قُلۡ هِيَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا خَالِصَةٗ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۗ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٣٢

    Qul man ḥarrama zīnatallāhil-latī akhraja liʿibādihī waṭ-ṭayyibāti minar-rizq, qul hiya lil-ladhīna āmanū fil-ḥayātid-dunyā khāliṣatay yawmal-qiyāmah, kadhālika nufaṣṣilul-āyāti liqawmiy yaʿlamūn.

    Say, "Who has forbidden the adornment of [i.e., from] Allāh which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?" Say, "They are for those who believed during the life of this world, exclusively [for them] on the Day of Resurrection." Thus do We detail the verses for a people who know.

  1. قُلۡ أَرَءَيۡتُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُم مِّن رِّزۡقٖ فَجَعَلۡتُم مِّنۡهُ حَرَامٗا وَحَلَٰلٗا قُلۡ ءَآللَّهُ أَذِنَ لَكُمۡۖ أَمۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَفۡتَرُونَ ٥٩

    Qul araʾaytum mā anzalallāhu lakum mir rizqin fajaʿaltum minhu ḥarāmaw wa ḥalālan qul āllāhu adhina lakum, am ʿalallāhi taftarūn.

    Say, "Have you seen what Allāh has sent down to you of provision of which you have made [some] lawful and [some] unlawful?" Say, "Has Allāh permitted you [to do so], or do you invent [something] about Allāh?"

  1. وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلۡسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلۡكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَٰلٞ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٞ لِّتَفۡتَرُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفۡتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ لَا يُفۡلِحُونَ ١١٦

    Wa lā taqūlū limā taṣifu alsinatukumul-kadhiba hādhā ḥalāluw wa hādhā ḥarāmul litaftarū ʿalallāhil-kadhib, innal-ladhīna yaftarūna ʿalallāhil-kadhiba lā yufliḥūn.

    And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allāh. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allāh will not succeed.

  2. مَتَٰعٞ قَلِيلٞ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ ١١٧

    Matāʿun qalīluw wa lahum ʿadhābun alīm.

    [It is but] a brief enjoyment, and they will have a painful punishment.

Food forbidden to the Children of Israel

  1. وَمُصَدِّقٗا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيۡكُمۡۚ وَجِئۡتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ٥٠

    Wa muṣaddiqal limā bayna yadayya minat-tawrāti waliʾuḥilla lakum baʿḍal-ladhī ḥurrima ʿalaykum, wa jiʾtukum biʾāyatim mir rabbikum fattaqullāha wa aṭīʿūn.

    And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allāh and obey me.

  1. ۞ كُلُّ ٱلطَّعَامِ كَانَ حِلّٗا لِّبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ إِلَّا مَا حَرَّمَ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلُ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِهِۦ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن تُنَزَّلَ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةُۚ قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ فَٱتۡلُوهَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ ٩٣

    Kulluṭ-ṭaʿāmi kāna ḥillal libanī isrāʾīla illā mā ḥarrama isrāʾīlu ʿalā nafsihī min qabli an tunazzalat-tawrāh, qul faʾtū bit-tawrāti fatlūhā in kuntum ṣādiqīn.

    All food was lawful to the Children of Israel except what Israel [i.e., Jacob] had made unlawful to himself before the Torah was revealed. Say, [O Muḥammad], "So bring the Torah and recite it, if you should be truthful."

  1. فَبِظُلۡمٖ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ حَرَّمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ طَيِّبَٰتٍ أُحِلَّتۡ لَهُمۡ وَبِصَدِّهِمۡ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرٗا ١٦٠

    Fabiẓulmim minal-ladhīna hādū ḥarramnā ʿalayhim ṭayyibātin uḥillat lahum wabiṣaddihim ʿan sabīlillāhi kathīrā.

    For wrongdoing on the part of the Jews, We made unlawful for them [certain] good foods which had been lawful to them, and for their averting from the way of Allāh many [people],

  1. وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ حَرَّمۡنَا كُلَّ ذِي ظُفُرٖۖ وَمِنَ ٱلۡبَقَرِ وَٱلۡغَنَمِ حَرَّمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ شُحُومَهُمَآ إِلَّا مَا حَمَلَتۡ ظُهُورُهُمَآ أَوِ ٱلۡحَوَايَآ أَوۡ مَا ٱخۡتَلَطَ بِعَظۡمٖۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيۡنَٰهُم بِبَغۡيِهِمۡۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَٰدِقُونَ ١٤٦

    Wa ʿalal-ladhīna hādū ḥarramnā kulla dhī ẓufur, wa minal-baqari wal-ghanami ḥarramnā ʿalayhim shuḥūmahumā illā mā ḥamalat ẓuhūruhumā awil-ḥawāyā aw makhtalaṭa biʿaẓm, dhālika jazaynāhum bibaghyihim, wa innā laṣādiqūn.

    And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their transgression. And indeed, We are truthful.

  1. ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِيَّ ٱلۡأُمِّيَّ ٱلَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكۡتُوبًا عِندَهُمۡ فِي ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلِ يَأۡمُرُهُم بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَىٰهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡخَبَٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنۡهُمۡ إِصۡرَهُمۡ وَٱلۡأَغۡلَٰلَ ٱلَّتِي كَانَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ ١٥٧

    Al-ladhīna yattabiʿūnar-rasūlan-nabiyyal-ummiyyal-ladhī yajidūnahū maktūban ʿindahum fit-tawrāti wal-injīli yaʾmuruhum bil-maʿrūfi wa yanhāhum ʿanil-munkari wa yuḥillu lahumuṭ-ṭayyibāti wa yuḥarrimu ʿalayhimul-khabāʾitha wa yaḍaʿu ʿanhum iṣrahum wal-aghlālal-latī kānat ʿalayhim, fal-ladhīna āmanū bihī wa ʿazzarūhu wa naṣarūhu wattabaʿun-nūral-ladhī unzila maʿahū ulāʾika humul-mufliḥūn.

    Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written [i.e., described] in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and prohibits them from what is wrong and makes lawful for them what is good and forbids them from what is evil and relieves them of their burden1 and the shackles which were upon them.2 So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. Difficulties in religious practice.
    2. i.e., extreme measures previously required for repentance, and retribution without recourse to compensation.
  1. وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ حَرَّمۡنَا مَا قَصَصۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ مِن قَبۡلُۖ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَٰهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ ١١٨

    Wa ʿalal-ladhīna hādū ḥarramnā mā qaṣaṣnā ʿalayka min qabl, wa mā ẓalamnāhum wa lākin kānū anfusahum yaẓlimūn.

    And to those who are Jews We have prohibited that which We related to you before.1 And We did not wrong them [thereby], but they were wronging themselves.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. See 6:146.