What has Knowledge Giver of Quran said regarding eating meat?

What does Quran say about eating meat?

Dietary Directives and Animal Permissions in the Holy Quran

Introduction

The Holy Quran contains explicit instructions regarding dietary practices, outlining which animals are permissible (Halal) and which are strictly prohibited (Haram). The verses in Surah Al-Maida (Chapter 5) and Surah Al-Momin (Chapter 40) detail the specific conditions under which animal meat may or may not be consumed by believers.

1. Permission and General Regulations on Animals

Surah Al-Maida (Chapter 5, Verse 1)

Verse 1: "O People! Who have believed (meaning those who have become Muslims), follow the restrictions completely, that is, follow the rules made by me. All four-legged animals have been made halal (lawful) for you to eat, except those that we will tell you later, but do not make hunting halal (lawful) for yourself in the state of haram; indeed, Allah commands whatever He wills."

• Permissible Categories: Four-legged grazing livestock—such as camels, cows, sheep, and goats—are generally classified as lawful (Halal), subject to specific exceptions defined in subsequent verses.
• Condition on Hunting: Hunting is restricted while in the state of consecration (Ihram/Haram).

2. Prohibited Animals and Conditions (Haram)

Surah Al-Maida (Chapter 5, Verse 3)

Verse 3: "Prohibited to you are (meaning that which is sinful to eat; those animals have been mentioned):

1. Dead animals (carrion).
2. Blood.
3. The flesh of swine (pork).
4. The animal that has been slaughtered for someone else (has been offered to them) other than Allah.
5. The animal which has died either by strangling, or by injury, or by falling from height or by a violent blow, or by being gored by a wild animal—except those that you slaughtered after finding it alive.
6. That which was slaughtered at some place (i.e., at an altar or place where there is an idol of other gods and goddesses) is also prohibited for you.
7. You are also forbidden to seek knowledge of your fate by divining arrows.

All these above-mentioned acts are in violation of the order."

3. Purpose of Animals Created for Humanity

Surah Al-Momin (Chapter 40, Verse 79)

Verse 79: "Allah Himself has made four-legged animals for you so that you can ride some of them and eat meat of some of them."

Summary Table: Dietary Classifications in the Quran

Conclusion

According to the speaker of the Quran in Surah Al-Maida and Surah Al-Momin, specific four-legged livestock are made permissible for riding and consumption, provided they do not fall under prohibited categories such as pork, blood, carrion, improperly killed animals, or offerings dedicated to entities other than Allah.