Book of Foods
Chapter: Legal Rulings on Foodstuffs

Because food nourishes the human body and its effects are reflected in a person’s character and conduct, wholesome foods leave behind wholesome effects, whereas foul foods do the opposite. For that reason Allah commanded His servants to eat what is good and forbade what is vile.

Allah the Exalted says, “O mankind, eat of what is on earth that is lawful and good” (Q. 2:168).

He also says, “O you who believe, eat of the good things We have provided for you, and give thanks to Allah if it is Him you worship” (Q. 2:172).

He says, “O messengers, eat of the good things and act righteously” (Q. 23:51).

And He says, “Say, ‘Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah that He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of provision?’” (Q. 7:32).

The word atʿimah (foods) is the plural of ṭaʿām, which denotes everything that is eaten or drunk.

The default ruling regarding food is permissibility, for Allah says, “He is the One who created for you all that is on the earth” (Q. 2:29), along with other texts from the Quran and Sunnah that affirm the basic permissibility of foodstuffs—except for what has been specifically exempted.