Comments on: Islam and Vegetarianism http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/ Enough screwing around. Go vegan. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:11:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Asad http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-13358 Asad Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:19:23 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-13358 FOR NAZIA: Du'a for Anxiety Allahumma inni a’oodhoo bika minal-hammi-walhazan. Wa’a oodhoo bika minal-ghammi-wal-kasal. Wa’a oodhoo bika minal jubni wal bukhl. Wa’a oodhoo bikal min ghalabatid-dayni-waqarir rijal. Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from helplessness and laziness, from cowardice and stinginess, and from overpowering of debt and from oppression of men. Du'a for Distress Allahumma rahmataka arjoo falaa takilnee ilaa nafsee tarfata ‘aynin wa aslih-lee sha’nee kullahu, laa ilaha illa anta. O Allah! It is Your mercy that I hope for so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for a blink of an eye and rectify for me all of my affairs. None has the right to be worshipped except You. FOR NAZIA:
Du’a for Anxiety

Allahumma inni a’oodhoo bika minal-hammi-walhazan. Wa’a oodhoo bika minal-ghammi-wal-kasal. Wa’a oodhoo bika minal jubni wal bukhl. Wa’a oodhoo bikal min ghalabatid-dayni-waqarir rijal.
Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from helplessness and laziness, from cowardice and stinginess, and from overpowering of debt and from oppression of men.

Du’a for Distress

Allahumma rahmataka arjoo falaa takilnee ilaa nafsee tarfata ‘aynin wa aslih-lee sha’nee kullahu, laa ilaha illa anta.
O Allah! It is Your mercy that I hope for so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for a blink of an eye and rectify for me all of my affairs. None has the right to be worshipped except You.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-13281 Amanda Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:45:11 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-13281 I'm a Muslim and my husband and I have been Vegan for two years and love it!! www.stumptowncrunch.blogspot.com I’m a Muslim and my husband and I have been Vegan for two years and love it!!

http://www.stumptowncrunch.blogspot.com

]]> By: Heynam http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-13245 Heynam Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:08:24 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-13245 There's an alarmingly large number of people on the internet who claim to have left "Islam" but then clearly have no what Islam is... only one conclusion I can find.. Anyhoo wrt to this, as a Muslim I am considering vegeterianism not because I think we shouldn't kill Allah(swt)'s creation blah blah the Qur'an clearly states we can eat the meat of permissable animals there's no issue there, no I am considering it because of the current farming practices and their negative impact on animal welfare, as well as the fact that animals in the West often have feeds with other animal derivatives in them therefore as far as my understanding goes these reasons makes the consumption of these meats impermissable. Another reason is the fact that halal meat is mass produced and it's output of large volumes of meat seems contradictory to the original process of halal slaughter. Slaughtering an animal using halal methods takes time and the whole process is centred on respecting the animal and in turn what Allah(swt) has provided us with. You have to calm the animal and make it relaxed, not let the other animals see, have a sharp blade and the blood vessels in the neck have to be cut in one go. I find it hard to believe that these practices are implemented correctly in current meat factories. Being Muslim and vegeterian is not controversial unless you reject clear teachings from Qur'an and Hadiths that say eating correctly slaughtered meat is permissable. The clue here is permissable, eating meat is not preferred(sunnah) or compulsory(fard) therefore it's perfectly acceptable to be vegeterian. There’s an alarmingly large number of people on the internet who claim to have left “Islam” but then clearly have no what Islam is… only one conclusion I can find..

Anyhoo wrt to this, as a Muslim I am considering vegeterianism not because I think we shouldn’t kill Allah(swt)’s creation blah blah the Qur’an clearly states we can eat the meat of permissable animals there’s no issue there, no I am considering it because of the current farming practices and their negative impact on animal welfare, as well as the fact that animals in the West often have feeds with other animal derivatives in them therefore as far as my understanding goes these reasons makes the consumption of these meats impermissable.

Another reason is the fact that halal meat is mass produced and it’s output of large volumes of meat seems contradictory to the original process of halal slaughter. Slaughtering an animal using halal methods takes time and the whole process is centred on respecting the animal and in turn what Allah(swt) has provided us with. You have to calm the animal and make it relaxed, not let the other animals see, have a sharp blade and the blood vessels in the neck have to be cut in one go. I find it hard to believe that these practices are implemented correctly in current meat factories.

Being Muslim and vegeterian is not controversial unless you reject clear teachings from Qur’an and Hadiths that say eating correctly slaughtered meat is permissable. The clue here is permissable, eating meat is not preferred(sunnah) or compulsory(fard) therefore it’s perfectly acceptable to be vegeterian.

]]> By: Elita http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-12353 Elita Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:39:46 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-12353 Dear Aamir Noushad, I am so sorry to hear that you have left your faith. I am a vegetarian and devout Muslim. If you could do a bit more research then you would possibly find that there is a justifiable reason behind every action that Islam suggests. And if you watch the movie Earthlings, numerous PETA footages, and particularly videos regarding fur and dog trade in China, you will learn that people from other religions (and atheists) are more cruel to animals. There is good and bad everywhere but you just have to make good out of the bad things yourself, if you get what I mean. I would urge all brothers and sisters to reconsider their faith from a neutral point of view before making such decisions. Dear Aamir Noushad,
I am so sorry to hear that you have left your faith. I am a vegetarian and devout Muslim. If you could do a bit more research then you would possibly find that there is a justifiable reason behind every action that Islam suggests. And if you watch the movie Earthlings, numerous PETA footages, and particularly videos regarding fur and dog trade in China, you will learn that people from other religions (and atheists) are more cruel to animals. There is good and bad everywhere but you just have to make good out of the bad things yourself, if you get what I mean. I would urge all brothers and sisters to reconsider their faith from a neutral point of view before making such decisions.

]]> By: Subhan Ali http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-12206 Subhan Ali Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:34:54 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-12206 R/Sir I am purely vegitarian and wish that the whole world be vegitarian, where all bird and beats could live full life and we could lead a life of co-existence as well. Really we do not know the pains a slaughtered animal bears. It cannot express but its movements explicit the it does not want to be killed willingly. When Allah is merciful, why is He cruel to animals. I am not against Islam, but slaughtering touches my heart deep and make me feel that I should quit the world earliest, due to reasons advanced above. .......Subhan Ali R/Sir I am purely vegitarian and wish that the whole world be vegitarian, where all bird and beats could live full life and we could lead a life of co-existence as well. Really we do not know the pains a slaughtered animal bears. It cannot express but its movements explicit the it does not want to be killed willingly. When Allah is merciful, why is He cruel to animals. I am not against Islam, but slaughtering touches my heart deep and make me feel that I should quit the world earliest, due to reasons advanced above. …….Subhan Ali

]]> By: Aamir Noushad http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-10794 Aamir Noushad Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:14:43 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-10794 I am an ex-muslim from India. One of the reasons I left Islam at a very young age of around 15 was due to killing of animals. I could never justify such barbaric and cruel treatment. This, which our family traditionally and religiously observed year after year on Eid al Adha disturbed me a great deal. Later I was to learn about the shariah laws in Islam, ie cutting of hands, flogging, beheading, genital mutilation of both boys and girls without their consent etc. this just enraged me even further and I decided Islam was not for me. It would take me a few more yeas of research to finally realise that there was not only lack of comapsassion in Islam, but that the religion is completely devoid of logic, rationality and science. The flaws were too many. Today, I am a proud vegetarian and atheist. I have found the truth in Atheism. I am an ex-muslim from India. One of the reasons I left Islam at a very young age of around 15 was due to killing of animals. I could never justify such barbaric and cruel treatment. This, which our family traditionally and religiously observed year after year on Eid al Adha disturbed me a great deal. Later I was to learn about the shariah laws in Islam, ie cutting of hands, flogging, beheading, genital mutilation of both boys and girls without their consent etc. this just enraged me even further and I decided Islam was not for me. It would take me a few more yeas of research to finally realise that there was not only lack of comapsassion in Islam, but that the religion is completely devoid of logic, rationality and science. The flaws were too many.

Today, I am a proud vegetarian and atheist. I have found the truth in Atheism.

]]> By: Irfan Khan http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-10701 Irfan Khan Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:10 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-10701 Actually meat is nothing but dead body or corpse of animal which is spiced up for consumption. With vegetables we never refer to them as dead body of tomato, spinach etc. The logic that chanting name of ALLAH while killing an animal is like taking ALLAH's permission to eat the animal's body is completely flawed. By this logic, chanting ALLAH's name and killing a human being is permissible. Also if you kill a human body and cook it will call it meat? While killing an animal do you actually hear ALLAH saying that killing the animal is granted? NO. Then how can you assume that you have the permission to kill the animals. By not killing animals Muslims do not become hindus or buddhists or Jains, they just become better muslims, Muslims filled with compassion towards Allah's creation! Actually meat is nothing but dead body or corpse of animal which is spiced up for consumption. With vegetables we never refer to them as dead body of tomato, spinach etc. The logic that chanting name of ALLAH while killing an animal is like taking ALLAH’s permission to eat the animal’s body is completely flawed. By this logic, chanting ALLAH’s name and killing a human being is permissible. Also if you kill a human body and cook it will call it meat? While killing an animal do you actually hear ALLAH saying that killing the animal is granted? NO. Then how can you assume that you have the permission to kill the animals. By not killing animals Muslims do not become hindus or buddhists or Jains, they just become better muslims, Muslims filled with compassion towards Allah’s creation!

]]> By: Alesha http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-10684 Alesha Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:05:48 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-10684 This all seems controversial. I wanted to get to the bottom of this myself. Islam is about purity and keeping oneself free from any kind of impurity. The consmption of meat is allowed in Islam but only if it is Halal. Food is blessed by Allah (SWT) so that is why the animal is prayed upon before beig slaughtered. This all seems controversial. I wanted to get to the bottom of this myself. Islam is about purity and keeping oneself free from any kind of impurity. The consmption of meat is allowed in Islam but only if it is Halal. Food is blessed by Allah (SWT) so that is why the animal is prayed upon before beig slaughtered.

]]> By: honey http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-10346 honey Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:14:03 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-10346 I am a Muslim and totally in favour of vegetarianism. I am sure that vegetarianism is not forbidden in Islam because it is not mentioned anywhere in the Quran (trust me, I have read the Quran all through, and quite well, with the mercy of Allah) and I believe such a thing was also not mentioned by the Prophet. Anything is permissible in Islam provided that it is not haram (As far as I know vegetables are not haram :P). I'm not saying that meat consumption should be prohibited; eating everything in moderation is undoubtedly good for health. But the barbaric way food animals are treated and slaughtered in modern day slaughter houses (http://veg-tv.info/Earthlings) is something Islam- or any other religion for that matter- would not permit. I chose to be vegetarian simply for this reason- I feel compassion for every kind of creature Allah has created. I am a Muslim and totally in favour of vegetarianism. I am sure that vegetarianism is not forbidden in Islam because it is not mentioned anywhere in the Quran (trust me, I have read the Quran all through, and quite well, with the mercy of Allah) and I believe such a thing was also not mentioned by the Prophet. Anything is permissible in Islam provided that it is not haram (As far as I know vegetables are not haram :P). I’m not saying that meat consumption should be prohibited; eating everything in moderation is undoubtedly good for health. But the barbaric way food animals are treated and slaughtered in modern day slaughter houses (http://veg-tv.info/Earthlings) is something Islam- or any other religion for that matter- would not permit. I chose to be vegetarian simply for this reason- I feel compassion for every kind of creature Allah has created.

]]> By: ERSHAD HOSSAIN http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-9974 ERSHAD HOSSAIN Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:41:22 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-9974 PLANT IS MADE OF CHLOROPHYLLS WITHOUT NERVOUS SYSTEM, LIVING CREATURES INCLUDING THE SO-CALLED HIGHEST SPECIES SCUMS LIKE ME(HUMANS) ARE MADE OF AMYNOPHYLL. EATING OF THE THINGS THAT CRAWLS,MOVES,FLIES OR SWIMS THEREFORE, IS COUNTER PRODUCTIVE. LEAVE ALONE RELIGION FOR THE TIME BEING. TELL ME WILL KEEPING A HANDFULL OF MEAT AND A HAND FULL OF VEGETABLES OR SEEDS IN THE MUD GIVE YOU THE SAME RESULT? NO! MEAT WILL GIVE YOU MAGGOTS AND FOUL SMELL LIKE CARCASS WHILE THE VEGETABLES WILL DRY UP OR GIVE YOU A GREEN PLANT IN THE MUD INSTEAD. ALSO WHEN THE ANIMALS ARE SLAUGHTERED THEY RELEASE ADRENALIN AND OTHER POISIONOUS SECRETIONS WE CONSUME THAT WITH THE MEAT. MY OWN PROOF- I AM 57 YEAR OLD- VEGETARIAN BY DEFAULT MEANING SINCE CHILDHOOD- I HARDLY EAT THE WHOLE DAY- EATING IS VERY SECONDARY TO ME- I CONFESS DURING THE DAY I FEEL WEAK- I USED TO BODYBUILD TWO YEAR AGO WITH 250LBS BENCHPRESS- SQUAT 300 LBS, BARBELL CURL 150 LBS, SHOULDER PRESS WITH 80 LBS IN ONE HAND. MY WRIST BROKE WITH ULNA HANGING FROM THE SIDE OF MY WRIST- DOCTOR SAID NO WEIGHTS EVER AGAIN- IN 18 MONTHS I AM BACK TO MY GYM I AM JUST 5% TO 10% LESS IN MY STRENGTH BENCHING WITH 225 LBS,SQUATTING WITH 260 LBS ETC. IF I TAKE OFF MY SHIRT IT WILL PUT MANY YOUNG BOYS TO SHAME- MY MESSAGE IS LOVING ANIMALS AND AVOIDING THEIR MEAT MAKES YOU HUMBLE AND CARING. ANIMALS ARE VERY INTELLIGENT BEINGS I AM WITH MANY OF THEM SINCE MY CHILDHOOD EVEN HENS AND COCKS ARE VERY INTELLIGENT. I DO NOT WANT TO GO INTO DETAILS DUE TO RELIGIOUS CONTRAVERSY . RIGHT THINKING AND THE RIGHT FOOD MAKES YOU LIVE RIGHT-THAT IS MY PHILOSOPHY. HAPPINESS IS A PRODUCT OF YOUR SUBCONSIOUS- WHEN YOU SEE ANIMAL BEING SLAUGHTERED AND WITHERING IN PAIN AND ALL THAT BLOOD YOUR SUBCONSIOUS CANNOT MAKE YOU HAPPY. MY WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IS WWW. VEGETARIANMUSLIMS.COM PLANT IS MADE OF CHLOROPHYLLS WITHOUT NERVOUS SYSTEM, LIVING CREATURES INCLUDING THE SO-CALLED HIGHEST SPECIES SCUMS LIKE ME(HUMANS) ARE MADE OF AMYNOPHYLL. EATING OF THE THINGS THAT CRAWLS,MOVES,FLIES OR SWIMS THEREFORE, IS COUNTER PRODUCTIVE. LEAVE ALONE RELIGION FOR THE TIME BEING. TELL ME WILL KEEPING A HANDFULL OF MEAT AND A HAND FULL OF VEGETABLES OR SEEDS IN THE MUD GIVE YOU THE SAME RESULT? NO! MEAT WILL GIVE YOU MAGGOTS AND FOUL SMELL LIKE CARCASS WHILE THE VEGETABLES WILL DRY UP OR GIVE YOU A GREEN PLANT IN THE MUD INSTEAD. ALSO WHEN THE ANIMALS ARE SLAUGHTERED THEY RELEASE ADRENALIN AND OTHER POISIONOUS SECRETIONS WE CONSUME THAT WITH THE MEAT.
MY OWN PROOF- I AM 57 YEAR OLD- VEGETARIAN BY DEFAULT MEANING SINCE CHILDHOOD- I HARDLY EAT THE WHOLE DAY- EATING IS VERY SECONDARY TO ME- I CONFESS DURING THE DAY I FEEL WEAK- I USED TO BODYBUILD TWO YEAR AGO WITH 250LBS BENCHPRESS- SQUAT 300 LBS, BARBELL CURL 150 LBS, SHOULDER PRESS WITH 80 LBS IN ONE HAND. MY WRIST BROKE WITH ULNA HANGING FROM THE SIDE OF MY WRIST- DOCTOR SAID NO WEIGHTS EVER AGAIN- IN 18 MONTHS I AM BACK TO MY GYM I AM JUST 5% TO 10% LESS IN MY STRENGTH BENCHING WITH 225 LBS,SQUATTING WITH 260 LBS ETC. IF I TAKE OFF MY SHIRT IT WILL PUT MANY YOUNG BOYS TO SHAME-
MY MESSAGE IS LOVING ANIMALS AND AVOIDING THEIR MEAT MAKES YOU HUMBLE AND CARING. ANIMALS ARE VERY INTELLIGENT BEINGS I AM WITH MANY OF THEM SINCE MY CHILDHOOD EVEN HENS AND COCKS ARE VERY INTELLIGENT. I DO NOT WANT TO GO INTO DETAILS DUE TO RELIGIOUS CONTRAVERSY . RIGHT THINKING AND THE RIGHT FOOD MAKES YOU LIVE RIGHT-THAT IS MY PHILOSOPHY. HAPPINESS IS A PRODUCT OF YOUR SUBCONSIOUS- WHEN YOU SEE ANIMAL BEING SLAUGHTERED AND WITHERING IN PAIN AND ALL THAT BLOOD YOUR SUBCONSIOUS CANNOT MAKE YOU HAPPY. MY WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IS WWW. VEGETARIANMUSLIMS.COM

]]> By: Syafrin http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-9657 Syafrin Sun, 04 May 2008 00:32:14 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-9657 Meat in middle east in the time of the Prophet is a necessity. Food distribution from neighboring countries is not as convenient. In the vast expand of the desert, people cannot be expected to hear what the Prophet say if their belly is empty. However, there are a lot of cautions to be awared of by moslem before any meat can be eaten. Money and ports in modern rich middle eastern countries are absolutely not a issue. When all the words of Mohammed regarding animals is considered relative to the background settings, we will see Mohammed is absolutely a very considerate gentleman to animals. Meat in middle east in the time of the Prophet is a necessity. Food distribution from neighboring countries is not as convenient. In the vast expand of the desert, people cannot be expected to hear what the Prophet say if their belly is empty.
However, there are a lot of cautions to be awared of by moslem before any meat can be eaten.
Money and ports in modern rich middle eastern countries are absolutely not a issue.
When all the words of Mohammed regarding animals is considered relative to the background settings, we will see Mohammed is absolutely a very considerate gentleman to animals.

]]> By: Syafrin http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-9656 Syafrin Sun, 04 May 2008 00:24:49 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-9656 All modern meat is haram to moslems. Wool sheep from Australia is vivisected without any painkillers, leaving the sheep in agony for days afterwards. Cows live in a condition so inhumane. Veal are kept in dark for 4 months with necks chained, milk cows are impregnated every year and render them too tired to pass more than 4 years of live, and they are transported in extreme weather to slaughterhouse. Their body parts are cut while they are still alive. Compare the story of the chicks of a motherbird in Islam and compare it with modern fishing where even the smallest fish and cretaceans are pulled out of the sea and left off as garbage because these small animals have no economic value. Pigs practice cannibalism in farms. Meat Bone Meal is fed back to cows. Don't ever people say don't talk about condition in factory farm in dinner because it ruin their dinner, please open your eyes to the fact. When moslem food authority in middle east approve the import of meat from europe and US, I think they have been pressured or corrupted by the western officials to halal the meat that is never not supposed to be halal. There is absolutely nothing compassionate left in modern meat, and by eating them, moslems are not doing good for their religion. All modern meat is haram to moslems.
Wool sheep from Australia is vivisected without any painkillers, leaving the sheep in agony for days afterwards.
Cows live in a condition so inhumane. Veal are kept in dark for 4 months with necks chained, milk cows are impregnated every year and render them too tired to pass more than 4 years of live, and they are transported in extreme weather to slaughterhouse. Their body parts are cut while they are still alive.
Compare the story of the chicks of a motherbird in Islam and compare it with modern fishing where even the smallest fish and cretaceans are pulled out of the sea and left off as garbage because these small animals have no economic value.
Pigs practice cannibalism in farms. Meat Bone Meal is fed back to cows.
Don’t ever people say don’t talk about condition in factory farm in dinner because it ruin their dinner, please open your eyes to the fact.
When moslem food authority in middle east approve the import of meat from europe and US, I think they have been pressured or corrupted by the western officials to halal the meat that is never not supposed to be halal.
There is absolutely nothing compassionate left in modern meat, and by eating them, moslems are not doing good for their religion.

]]> By: Haider Jafari http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-9626 Haider Jafari Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:22:31 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-9626 Certain types of meat are prohibited in Islam. Proper slaughter like in Zionism is an essential condition in Islam. Vegetarainism is is not prohibited either. However the affects of meat eating was noted earlier when the Prophet said, Do not make the graves of animals in your bellys. This reflects how meat is discouraged but not prohibited. But vagatable are not discouraged. Certain types of meat are prohibited in Islam. Proper slaughter like in Zionism is an essential condition in Islam. Vegetarainism is is not prohibited either. However the affects of meat eating was noted earlier when the Prophet said, Do not make the graves of animals in your bellys. This reflects how meat is discouraged but not prohibited. But vagatable are not discouraged.

]]> By: Desert Rose http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-9353 Desert Rose Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:13:23 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-9353 Bismillah hir-rah mah-nirrah-heem - I begin in the Name of God, The Beneficient, the Merciful. I became a vegetarian in 2000. One day I was eating meat, fowl, seafood and eggs, and then the next day I was totally vegetarian. I am now more vegan, giving up dairy also. I have never felt better in my whole life. I had many questions about the killing of animals, poultry and fish when I was a young child. I always felt sorry and guilty when they had to be killed. Many years ago, on Eid ul Azha day we were at a farm outside of Toronto (women are not generally welcome to be around when the killing occurs) and of course the bull was fighting against being slaughtered. The animal was fighting for its life and then the farmer who was doing the killing took a gun and shot the animal in its head and then they proceeded to cut its throat with a sharp knife to ensure that the meat was halal. That killing shook me up inside. The farmer told me that the animal was just stunned. After I saw that happening I was a bit troubled in my heart and soul. I started having doubts in my mind about my religion. I was practicing my religion more as a habitual, ritualistic manner, not asking questions, not seeking the TRUTH. What was the truth? But Islam is not to blame, it is us who misinterpret the Quran and disobey the Mosaic Law of the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not Kill". The Quran explicitly forbids Muslims from eating the flesh of dead animals and ingesting the blood of animals. If you kill a sentient being(animals, fowl, fish, etc.), then it is dead. How can you proceed to eat the flesh of dead animals? I am a logical person and I asked myself those questions and many more. I re-read the Quran and once I became aware of what I was doing, I was deeply troubled, aware that the spiritual leaders, including my parents and family, would not have the answers for me. Anyway, I continued eating meat because my religion and Muslims were doing this. It was how I was brought up. Eventually, one thing led to another and thank God, I have finally given up the practice of meat eating. I had lost my compassionate nature when I was eating a lot of animal flesh. I was a changed being. Now, I am more compassionate again to all sentient beings, happier, but still a bit troubled that many Muslims still butt heads with me and rationalize meat eating to this day. As I told my Mom, the Quran also says, "Eat of the good things of the earth, Eat of the garlic, the cucumber and the lentils." But when I go to the mosque, there is never any lentil dishes and cucumbers. Many muslims are having vegetarian meals more often including my mother and some of my family members. Many Muslims including the Prophet, the Sahabah, the Sufis, Saints and Scholars were (more) vegetarian. My only advice to many of you who are questioning the idea of vegetarianism in Islam is to take the Veggie Challenge for a week or a month and then let us know how you feel. Bismillah hir-rah mah-nirrah-heem – I begin in the Name of God, The Beneficient, the Merciful.

I became a vegetarian in 2000. One day I was eating meat, fowl, seafood and eggs, and then the next day I was totally vegetarian. I am now more vegan, giving up dairy also. I have never felt better in my whole life.

I had many questions about the killing of animals, poultry and fish when I was a young child. I always felt sorry and guilty when they had to be killed. Many years ago, on Eid ul Azha day we were at a farm outside of Toronto (women are not generally welcome to be around when the killing occurs) and of course the bull was fighting against being slaughtered. The animal was fighting for its life and then the farmer who was doing the killing took a gun and shot the animal in its head and then they proceeded to cut its throat with a sharp knife to ensure that the meat was halal. That killing shook me up inside. The farmer told me that the animal was just stunned.

After I saw that happening I was a bit troubled in my heart and soul. I started having doubts in my mind about my religion. I was practicing my religion more as a habitual, ritualistic manner, not asking questions, not seeking the TRUTH. What was the truth?

But Islam is not to blame, it is us who misinterpret the Quran and disobey the Mosaic Law of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt not Kill”. The Quran explicitly forbids Muslims from eating the flesh of dead animals and ingesting the blood of animals. If you kill a sentient being(animals, fowl, fish, etc.), then it is dead. How can you proceed to eat the flesh of dead animals?

I am a logical person and I asked myself those questions and many more. I re-read the Quran and once I became aware of what I was doing, I was deeply troubled, aware that the spiritual leaders, including my parents and family, would not have the answers for me. Anyway, I continued eating meat because my religion and Muslims were doing this. It was how I was brought up.

Eventually, one thing led to another and thank God, I have finally given up the practice of meat eating. I had lost my compassionate nature when I was eating a lot of animal flesh. I was a changed being. Now, I am more compassionate again to all sentient beings, happier, but still a bit troubled that many Muslims still butt heads with me and rationalize meat eating to this day. As I told my Mom, the Quran also says, “Eat of the good things of the earth, Eat of the garlic, the cucumber and the lentils.” But when I go to the mosque, there is never any lentil dishes and cucumbers.

Many muslims are having vegetarian meals more often including my mother and some of my family members. Many Muslims including the Prophet, the Sahabah, the Sufis, Saints and Scholars were (more) vegetarian.

My only advice to many of you who are questioning the idea of vegetarianism in Islam is to take the Veggie Challenge for a week or a month and then let us know how you feel.

]]> By: Irfan Khan http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/comment-page-1/#comment-8895 Irfan Khan Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:00:20 +0000 http://new.vegblog.org/2003/10/01/islam-and-vegetarianism/#comment-8895 One will find good and bad people in all faiths. Therefore one cannot claim supremacy of one faith over the other. However my understanding of five religions is as follows. Christianity allows any kind of meat. Islam allows meat of all vegetarian animals but no pork. Hinduism has both vegetarians and non-vegetarian followers. The non-vegetarian followers don't eat meat of cow. Sikhs s are meat-eaters as well as vegetarians. However the meat-eaters avoid cows. The Buddhists also have both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Jainism lays very high emphasis on vegetarianism and non-violence towards all life forms including insects, and all its followers are vegetarians. Based on this information I understand that Jainism practices highest compassion towards animals and all living creatures which is unmatched compared to other religions. Islam says vegetarian food is halal and meat obtained without the islamic guidlines is haram. Then why not followers of islam become complete vegetarian since there would be no risk at all of consuming haram food and they would show greater compassion for animals like Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had. In today's world when every vegetable is available througout the year, there is no need to take life of innocent animals for the sake of food. Also killing helpless animals during Eid in the name of sacrifice is so foolish and mindless. If at all you need to sacrifice something to Allah, sacrifice greed, ego, lust, hatred, jealous and other human weaknesses. Killing innocent and helpless animals will infact enrage Allah not make him happy.. Christianity's first commandment is"thou shall not kill". That sentence includes not killing any living creature be it insect animal or man. However, christians apply it to only human beings. That is so selfish. I like Christ. The christians are so unlike their christ. Same applies to peoples of other faith. Let us not be hypocrites. Let us not be selfish. Let us enlarge our domain of love and compassion to all the living creatures of this world. Let us not restrict ourselves to just human beings. Let us live and let live. One will find good and bad people in all faiths. Therefore one cannot claim supremacy of one faith over the other. However my understanding of five religions is as follows. Christianity allows any kind of meat. Islam allows meat of all vegetarian animals but no pork. Hinduism has both vegetarians and non-vegetarian followers. The non-vegetarian followers don’t eat meat of cow. Sikhs s are meat-eaters as well as vegetarians. However the meat-eaters avoid cows. The Buddhists also have both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Jainism lays very high emphasis on vegetarianism and non-violence towards all life forms including insects, and all its followers are vegetarians. Based on this information I understand that Jainism practices highest compassion towards animals and all living creatures which is unmatched compared to other religions.

Islam says vegetarian food is halal and meat obtained without the islamic guidlines is haram. Then why not followers of islam become complete vegetarian since there would be no risk at all of consuming haram food and they would show greater compassion for animals like Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had. In today’s world when every vegetable is available througout the year, there is no need to take life of innocent animals for the sake of food. Also killing helpless animals during Eid in the name of sacrifice is so foolish and mindless. If at all you need to sacrifice something to Allah, sacrifice greed, ego, lust, hatred, jealous and other human weaknesses. Killing innocent and helpless animals will infact enrage Allah not make him happy..

Christianity’s first commandment is”thou shall not kill”. That sentence includes not killing any living creature be it insect animal or man. However, christians apply it to only human beings. That is so selfish. I like Christ. The christians are so unlike their christ.

Same applies to peoples of other faith. Let us not be hypocrites. Let us not be selfish. Let us enlarge our domain of love and compassion to all the living creatures of this world. Let us not restrict ourselves to just human beings. Let us live and let live.

]]>