Meat Consumption in Islam: From Religious Teachings to Contemporary Challenges

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate in Quranic Sciences and Hadith, Qom University, Qom, Iran

2 Corresponding Author, Associate Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence and Foundations of Islamic Law, Farabi Campus of the University of Tehran, Qom, Iran

10.22034/qve.2025.19013.1744

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the position of meat consumption in Islamic teachings and analyze its relation to contemporary challenges in the fields of ethics, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. The significance of this research lies in the growing global trend toward vegetarian diets, often motivated by ethical, environmental, or health-related concerns, which sometimes appear to conflict with religious perspectives.
Method: This is a fundamental research conducted through qualitative content analysis. Data were collected from primary Islamic sources, including the Qur’an, the sayings of the Prophet (pbuh), and narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (as), alongside modern studies in nutrition, animal ethics, and environmental science. The data were examined and compared through logical and thematic analysis.
Results: Findings indicate that meat consumption is not only permitted but also presented as a divine blessing in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Verses regarding an‘ām (livestock) and divine provision, as well as prophetic and imamic traditions, emphasize the physical, psychological, and therapeutic benefits of meat. In contrast, extreme vegetarian approaches are inconsistent with authentic Islamic teachings, since Islam emphasizes moderation in diet and warns against long-term abstinence from meat due to its negative effects. Furthermore, Islamic teachings establish an ethical framework for meat consumption through lawful slaughter, kindness to animals, and prohibition of cruelty. Environmentally, the traditional Islamic model of local and non-industrial meat consumption aligns with principles of reducing carbon footprint and sustainable use of natural resources.
Conclusions: The study concludes that meat consumption in Islam is a natural, legitimate, and beneficial component of human nutrition, provided it is practiced with moderation, ethical treatment of animals, and ecological awareness. Thus, unlike modern vegetarian ideologies, Islam encourages meat consumption within a balanced framework that integrates health, ethics, and sustainability.

Keywords

References

 

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 29 April 2025

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