Foundations · Halal & Haram, Food & Drink

Specific Islamic Dietary Rulings

Test knowledge of rulings on specific foods and substances in Islam.

7 questions · Easy · about 4 minutes

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7 questions, about 4 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 7 questions.

1. What is the ruling on eating bee larvae?

  • It is not permissible. (correct answer)
  • It is permissible because it is natural.
  • It is permissible if cooked.
  • It is permissible only during famine.

Why

Bee larvae are treated like bees because they are part of the bee’s lifecycle. Since killing bees is forbidden, eating bee larvae is not permissible.

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2. What is the ruling on eating sharks?

  • They are forbidden because they are predators.
  • They are permissible. (correct answer)
  • They are permissible only if caught alive.
  • They are forbidden because they give birth to live young.

Why

Sharks are permissible because they are sea creatures. The ruling that forbids land predators with fangs does not apply to sea predators.

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3. What is the ruling on eating fish eyes?

  • It is forbidden.
  • It is allowed only in necessity.
  • It is permissible. (correct answer)
  • It is disliked because it is part of the head.

Why

All parts of a fish are halal, including the skin, tail, and eyes. A person may dislike eating something, but personal dislike does not make it forbidden.

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4. What is the ruling on carrageenan made from algae?

  • It is permissible so long as it is not harmful. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden because it comes from the sea.
  • It is forbidden if alcohol was ever used, even when no trace remains.
  • It is allowed only if no other thickener exists.

Why

Carrageenan comes from algae, and the basic rule for what is extracted from the sea or plants is permissibility unless it is harmful. If alcohol was used in processing but no trace remains and it would not intoxicate even in large amounts, that is overlooked.

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5. What is the ruling on marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, and LSD?

  • They are forbidden. (correct answer)
  • They are allowed if used for spiritual feelings.
  • They are allowed if they do not kill anyone.
  • They are disliked but allowed in small amounts.

Why

These substances are described as intoxicating, hallucinogenic, harmful, or causing languidness. The source states that intoxicants and substances that make a person languid are not permissible.

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6. Why may L-cysteine be permissible even if its original source is impure?

  • Because it may be transformed into a new substance. (correct answer)
  • Because all impure sources become halal automatically.
  • Because bakery products are always permissible.
  • Because the source never matters in food.

Why

The source says there is nothing wrong with foods containing L-cysteine because it does not remain in its original condition; rather, it is transformed into another substance. If no transformation occurred, a very small amount absorbed into lawful ingredients may also be overlooked.

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7. What is the ruling on a small spot of blood inside an egg?

  • It makes the whole egg impure.
  • It is forbidden in every case.
  • It is overlooked and does not make the egg forbidden. (correct answer)
  • It means the egg must be thrown away.

Why

A small blood spot inside an egg is not like flowing or poured-out blood, which is the type of blood that is forbidden. The source states that such a small spot is overlooked.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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