Halal and Haram
What Islam permits (halal) and forbids (haram), with the Quran verses and the hadith behind each ruling. Search a topic, open it to see the evidence and read the sources.
86 topics
Food & drink23
Haram Is alcohol haram in Islam? Haram Are drugs and other intoxicants haram? Haram Is pork haram? Haram Are blood and dead meat (carrion) haram? Haram Is meat not slaughtered in Allah's name haram? Haram Is it haram to eat animals with fangs? Haram Is donkey meat haram? Halal Is seafood halal? Halal What food is halal? Halal Is the food of the People of the Book halal? Halal Is something haram allowed in an emergency? Scholars differ Are shrimp and shellfish halal?No topics match your search.
How halal and haram are known
Halal means permitted and haram means forbidden. The ruling comes from the Quran and the authentic Sunnah, and where the texts are silent, from the work of qualified scholars.
The Quran says that the Prophet ﷺ makes lawful for people the good things and forbids for them the evil (7:157). Scholars generally explain that things are permitted unless there is evidence that forbids them.
Between the clear halal and the clear haram there are doubtful matters. The Prophet ﷺ advised us to keep away from them to protect our religion and honour.
This page explains well-known rulings for general learning. It is not a fatwa. Scholars may differ in details, and personal situations vary. For your own case, ask a qualified scholar or your local Islamic authority.
Our sources
- Quran: the Arabic text in Uthmani script, with a published translation for each language. Every verse links to its place in the surah.
- Hadith: taken from the open Hadith database. Each hadith is matched by its text, shown with its collection and number, and with the grade given by scholars where the database has one. Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are in the two collections whose contents are agreed to be sound.
- Each answer states only what these texts say. Where scholars differ, the topic says so.
Questions about halal and haram
What does halal mean?
Halal means permitted by Islamic law. It is used for food, drink, earnings, behaviour and more.
What does haram mean?
Haram means forbidden by Islamic law. Doing it is a sin, and avoiding it for Allah's sake is rewarded.
What if I am unsure whether something is halal?
The Prophet ﷺ advised keeping away from doubtful matters. Ask a knowledgeable scholar, and check for a trusted halal certification when it is a product.
Can something haram become allowed?
Only in real necessity, for example to save life when nothing else is available, and only as much as needed (Quran 2:173).
What is the basic rule of halal and haram?
The default for things (food, clothes, trade and tools) is that they are permitted unless there is evidence that they are forbidden. Allah says that He created for you all that is on the earth (2:29). The prohibitions are specific and limited, and the evidence for each is shown on its page.
How can I check if packaged food is halal?
Read the list of ingredients for pork, alcohol, gelatin and animal-based items, and look at the E-numbers in the ingredient list on the Halal & Haram page. Look for a trusted halal certification mark, or ask the maker. If it stays unclear, leave it, as the Prophet ﷺ taught.
What should I do when scholars differ on a ruling?
Where scholars differ, the page states the difference. You follow a qualified scholar or the opinion of your school, and being careful is better when a matter is doubtful. Ask a scholar you trust about your own situation.
Ingredients that depend on their source
Some ingredients can come from permitted or forbidden sources, and scholars sometimes differ about them. No ruling is given here. These are the points to check, and the safest way is a trusted halal certification.
GelatinE441
What to check: Can come from pork, from cattle or from fish. Check the animal and whether it was slaughtered according to Islamic law. Gelatin from plants or fish is not an issue. Scholars differ on whether processing changes its ruling.
Carmine (red dye)E120
What to check: A red colour made from cochineal insects. Scholars differ on whether it is permitted.
Rennet (in cheese)
What to check: Can be microbial or plant-based, or from the stomach of an animal. Check the source and the slaughter. Scholars differ about animal rennet.
Mono- and diglyceridesE471
What to check: Emulsifiers that can be made from plant or animal fat. Check whether the source is plant or a permitted animal.
L-cysteineE920
What to check: Used in bakery products. Can come from animal feathers, from hair or be made synthetically. Check the source.
Shellac (glaze)E904
What to check: A secretion of the lac insect, used as a glaze on sweets and fruit. Scholars differ on whether it is permitted.
Alcohol in flavourings and extracts
What to check: Flavour extracts such as vanilla may use alcohol as a solvent. Scholars differ about small amounts that remain in a finished product, so look for a trusted halal certification.
Animal fat or shortening (lard)
What to check: Haram if it comes from pork or from an animal that was not slaughtered according to Islamic law. Check the label for the source.