Foundations · Halal & Haram, Food & Drink

Islamic Food and Drink Permissibility

Explore Islamic rulings on lawful and forbidden foods and drinks.

7 questions · Easy · about 5 minutes

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7 questions, about 5 minutes.

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1. When is beer permissible to drink?

  • When it is not intoxicating, either because it has no alcohol or only a minuscule amount with no effect. (correct answer)
  • When it has a small amount of alcohol that can still intoxicate in large quantities.
  • When it is sold under the name “beer.”
  • When only a little is drunk from intoxicating beer.

Why

Intoxicating beer is forbidden, whether a person drinks a lot or a little. Non-intoxicating beer is permissible if it is free of alcohol or contains only a minuscule amount that does not cause intoxication no matter how much is drunk.

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2. Why is alcohol forbidden?

  • It intoxicates and makes people lose their minds. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden only because of its smell.
  • It is forbidden only when it is expensive.
  • It is allowed if a person drinks only for relaxation.

Why

Alcohol is forbidden because it is an intoxicant and comes under the ruling of khamr. The source also mentions that it harms the mind and body, wastes money, and has sinful consequences.

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3. If someone drank alcohol before Ramadan, what must they still do?

  • Stop praying and fasting for forty days.
  • Continue praying and fasting, and hasten to repent. (correct answer)
  • Repeat all prayers after forty days.
  • Assume repentance will not be accepted.

Why

Drinking alcohol is a major sin, but that does not mean the person should abandon prayer or fasting. The person must still pray and fast, and should hasten to repent sincerely.

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4. Should someone buy alcohol for a parent who asks for it?

  • Yes, because parents must be obeyed in everything.
  • Yes, if refusing will make the parent angry.
  • No, because there is no obedience to a created being in disobedience to Allah. (correct answer)
  • No, unless the parent is the source of income.

Why

Honouring parents is obligatory, but obedience to them is not required when they command sin. Buying alcohol is forbidden, so a person should not buy it even for a parent.

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5. What is the ruling on using alcohol to marinate or cook meat?

  • It is forbidden. (correct answer)
  • It is allowed if the alcohol cooks off.
  • It is disliked but allowed.
  • It is allowed only in small amounts.

Why

Alcohol must be avoided completely and may not be used in food or drink. The source specifically states that meat should not be marinated, soaked, or cooked with alcohol.

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6. Why is pork forbidden?

  • Only because people dislike its taste.
  • Because Allah forbids the flesh of swine in the Quran. (correct answer)
  • Because it was not available in Arabia.
  • Because it is forbidden only by medical research.

Why

The main reason pork is forbidden is that Allah has forbidden it. A Muslim accepts the ruling when it is proven in the text, whether or not every wisdom behind it is known.

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7. What is the ruling on eating ostrich meat if it is slaughtered properly?

  • It is permissible. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden because ostriches are large birds.
  • It is forbidden because all unusual animals are forbidden.
  • It is permissible only in necessity.

Why

Ostrich meat is permissible when slaughtered properly. The source explains that the basic principle regarding animals is permissibility, except for categories that are specifically excluded.

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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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