Are you a Vegetarian? Are there benefits?

[Woodrow]

Read the first three ayaat of al Maaidah:

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعُقُودِ*ۚ أُحِلَّتۡ لَكُم بَہِيمَةُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ إِلَّا مَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ غَيۡرَ مُحِلِّى ٱلصَّيۡدِ وَأَنتُمۡ حُرُمٌ*ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحۡكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ (١) يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُحِلُّواْ شَعَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا ٱلشَّہۡرَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ وَلَا ٱلۡهَدۡىَ وَلَا ٱلۡقَلَـٰٓٮِٕدَ وَلَآ ءَآمِّينَ ٱلۡبَيۡتَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ يَبۡتَغُونَ فَضۡلاً۬ مِّن رَّبِّہِمۡ وَرِضۡوَٲنً۬ا*ۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلۡتُمۡ فَٱصۡطَادُواْ*ۚ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ أَن صَدُّوڪُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ أَن تَعۡتَدُواْ*ۘ وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ*ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٲنِ*ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ*ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ (٢) حُرِّمَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحۡمُ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡمُنۡخَنِقَةُ وَٱلۡمَوۡقُوذَةُ وَٱلۡمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَٱلنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَآ أَكَلَ ٱلسَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيۡتُمۡ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى ٱلنُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسۡتَقۡسِمُواْ بِٱلۡأَزۡلَـٰمِ*ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ فِسۡقٌ*ۗ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَٮِٕسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡنِ*ۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينً۬ا*ۚ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ فِى مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ۬ لِّإِثۡمٍ۬*ۙ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ (٣)​

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O ye who believe! Fulfil your undertakings. The beast of cattle is made lawful unto you (for food) except that which is announced unto you (herein), game being unlawful when ye are on the pilgrimage. Lo! Allah ordaineth that which pleaseth Him. (1) O ye who believe! Profane not Allah's monuments nor the Sacred Month nor the offerings nor those garlands, nor those repairing to the Sacred House, seeking the grace and pleasure of their Lord. But when ye have left the sacred territory, then go hunting (if ye will). And let not your hatred of a folk who (once) stopped your going to the inviolable place of worship seduce you to transgress; but help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty. Help not one another unto sin and transgression, but keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is severe in punishment. (2) Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swine-flesh, and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild beasts, saving that which ye make lawful (by the death-stroke), and that which hath been immolated unto idols. And (forbidden is it) that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination. This day are those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; so fear them not, fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion AL-ISLAM. Whoso is forced by hunger, not by will, to sin: (for him) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (3)

You've very kindly mentioned the vegan diet as following the laws of Allah, but you missed out the same for cattle (as mentioned in al Maaidah). Remember one thing; try to give the full picture of any scenario when talking about laws of Allah.

[FONT=PDMS_IslamicFont]وَلَا تَلۡبِسُواْ ٱلۡحَقَّ بِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ وَتَكۡتُمُواْ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth. (2:42)

:wa:[/FONT]

Perhaps I am overlooking something. I don't think anyone is saying we have to be vegans or vegetarians.
What I am understanding the thread to be saying is it is not forbidden to be either. Especially if halal meat is not available.

At this moment I would love to have a nice slice of roast beef. In all probability the next meat I have will be either goat or chicken. I need to buy my friend some calves to raise, but none will be available until spring.

Am I committing a sin because I have no halal beef to eat? Am I prohibited from being vegan until meat is available?

 

[أحمد]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Ahmed Waheed:

Apparently you failed to read the entire thread. Those Muslims who eat vegan or vegetarian primary reason is not having access to Hilal meat. There isn't anyone in this thread that has claimed eating Hilal meat is unlawful. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) ate what he wanted that was lawful which you appear to fail to acknowledge. Let us remind you.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Number 320:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet never criticized any food (he was invited to) but he used to eat if he liked the food, and leave it if he disliked.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Number 314:

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

My aunt presented (roasted) mastigures, Iqt and milk to the Prophet . The mastigures were put on his dining sheet, and if it was unlawful to eat, it would not have been put there. The Prophet drank the milk and ate the Iqt only.

Perhaps I am overlooking something. I don't think anyone is saying we have to be vegans or vegetarians.
What I am understanding the thread to be saying is it is not forbidden to be either. Especially if halal meat is not available.

At this moment I would love to have a nice slice of roast beef. In all probability the next meat I have will be either goat or chicken. I need to buy my friend some calves to raise, but none will be available until spring.

Am I committing a sin because I have no halal beef to eat? Am I prohibited from being vegan until meat is available?

My post comment was: "You've very kindly mentioned the vegan diet as following the laws of Allah, but you missed out the same for cattle (as mentioned in al Maaidah). Remember one thing; try to give the full picture of any scenario when talking about laws of Allah."

I didn't mention about the concept of haram and halal; I stated the obvious, to give the full picture of the scenario, not part of it, as that can be misleading.

My point was to answer a point raised about laws of Allah.

:wa:

 

[sabr*]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):


Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 43, Number 637:

Narrated 'Aisha:

The Prophet said, "The most hated person in the sight of Allah is the most quarrelsome person."

 

[أحمد]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):


Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 43, Number 637:

Narrated 'Aisha:

The Prophet said, "The most hated person in the sight of Allah is the most quarrelsome person."

There's a difference between justice to the topic and quarrelling; I hope you understand. Neither my intention was to quarrel, nor are my posts quarrelsome. Ignore my posts if you don't like them.

:wa:

 

[sabr*]

Nutritional benefits come from a vegan diet

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

OK back on topic and engaging in positive communication.

Nutrition

All of the following nutritional benefits come from a vegan diet full of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and soy products.

1. Reduced saturated fats. Dairy products and meats contain a large amount of saturated fats. By reducing the amount of saturated fats from your diet, you’ll improve your health tremendously, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health.


2. Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide energy for your body. When you don’t have enough carbohydrates, your body will burn muscle tissue.

3. Fiber. A diet high in fiber (as vegan eating usually is) leads to healthier bowel movements. High fiber diets help fight against colon cancer.

4. Magnesium. Aiding in the absorption of calcium, magnesium is an often overlooked vitamin in importance to a healthy diet. Nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens are an excellent source of magnesium.

5. Potassium. Potassium balances water and acidity in your body and stimulates the kidneys to eliminate toxins. Diets high in potassium have shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

6. Folate. This B vitamin is an important part of a healthy diet. Folate helps with cell repair, generating red and white blood cells, and metabolizing amino acids.

7. Antioxidants. For protection against cell damage, antioxidants are one of the best ways to help your body. Many researchers also believe that antioxidants help protect your body against forming some types of cancer.

8. Vitamin C. Besides boosting your immune system, Vitamin C also helps keep your gums healthy and helps your bruises heal faster. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant.

9. Vitamin E. This powerful vitamin has benefits for your heart, skin, eyes, brain, and may even help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. A diet high in grains, nuts, and dark leafy greens is full of Vitamin E.

10. Phytochemicals. Plant-based foods provide phytochemicals, which help to prevent and heal the body from cancer, boost protective enzymes, and work with antioxidants in the body.

11. Protein. That protein is good for your body is no surprise. It may be a surprise to learn that most Americans eat too much protein and in forms such as red meat that are not healthy ways of getting protein. Beans, nuts, peas, lentils, and soy products are all great ways to get the right amount of protein in a vegan diet.

Disease Prevention (Management- Allah controls what tomorrow brings)

Eating a healthy vegan diet has shown to prevent a number of diseases. Find out from the list below what you could potentially avoid just by switching to a healthy, balanced vegan way of eating.

12. Cardiovascular disease. Eating nuts and whole grains, while eliminating dairy products and meat, will improve your cardiovascular health. A British study indicates that a vegan diet reduces the risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Vegan diets go far in preventing heart attack and stroke.

13. Cholesterol. Eliminating any food that comes from an animal and you will eliminate all dietary cholesterol from your diet. Your heart will thank you for that.

14. Blood pressure. A diet rich in whole grains is beneficial to your health in many ways, including lowering high blood pressure.

15. Type 2 diabetes. Not only is a vegan diet a weapon against Type 2 diabetes, it is also "easier to follow than the standard diet recommended by the American Diabetic Association." Read more about it here.

16. Prostate cancer. A major study showed that men in the early stages of prostate cancer who switched to a vegan diet either stopped the progress of the cancer or may have even reversed the illness.

17. Colon cancer. Eating a diet consisting of whole grains, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, can greatly reduce your chances of colon cancer.

18. Breast cancer. Countries where women eat very little meat and animal products have a much lower rate of breast cancer than do the women in countries that consume more animal products.

19. Muscular degeneration. Diets with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, can help prevent the onset of age-related muscular degeneration.

20. Cataracts. Much the same way muscular degeneration is headed off by a vegan diet, cataracts are also thought to be prevented through the intake of the same fruits and vegetables. Produce high in antioxidants are also believed to help prevent cataracts.

21. Arthritis. Eliminating dairy consumption has long been connected with alleviating arthritis symptoms, but a new study indicates that a combination of gluten-free and vegan diet is very promising for improving the health of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

22. Osteoporosis. Bone health depends on a balance of neither too much or too little protein, adequate calcium intake, high potassium, and low sodium. With a healthy vegan diet, all four of these points set a perfect scenario for preventing osteoporosis.

Jazakumullahu Khair

 

[Argamemnon]

Perhaps a bit off topic but does anyone know if frozen cooked food retain their nutrients? I know that frozen (raw) vegetables are ok, but what about frozen cooked food? I eat frozen brown rice and beans etc. but if they don't retain their nutrients I might stop doing this inshallah...

 

[sabr*]

Perhaps a bit off topic but does anyone know if frozen cooked food retain their nutrients? I know that frozen (raw) vegetables are ok, but what about frozen cooked food? I eat frozen brown rice and beans etc. but if they don't retain their nutrients I might stop doing this inshallah...

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Argamemnon

The following thread may provide some insight on your inquiry. Insha Allah

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition...ozen_vegetables_are_we_giving_up_nutrition_fo

 

[Argamemnon]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Argamemnon

The following thread may provide some insight on your inquiry. Insha Allah

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition...ozen_vegetables_are_we_giving_up_nutrition_fo

wa alaikum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

thanks for the link brother, but unfortunately i couldn't find anything about frozen cooked/prepared food, i might have overlooked it.

 

[sabr*]

does anyone know if frozen cooked food retain their nutrients? but what about frozen cooked food? ...

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Argamemnon:

Your above inquiry regarded the frozen food retaining nutrients after cooked.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/46941/are_all_vegetables_equal_in_nutrition.html

 

[sabr*]

What are your favorite recipes or vegan food during Iftar?

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

List some of your favorite vegan recipes or foods you are eating during Iftar.

Falafel

 

[Snowflake]

I always wondered what falafel was. They look yum, so I just tried to search for a recipe but it seems they can be made with different types of beans. I want to make some. Which beans are the best to use - as in tastiest?

 

[manaal]

^ Falafel is traditionally made with chick peas.

 

[جوري]

except in Egypt where they are made of fava beans..

 

[manaal]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Thank you for you post. But please stay on topic. The majority only adhere to the vegan dietary fare with fish because of the lack of access to Halal meats for years.

Isn't that self-contradictory? "Vegan" refers to eating only foods from plants and staying away from all animal products including dairy and fish.

"Vegetarians" do eat dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt).

People who eat fish and no other meat are called "Pescetarians".

I have a question to all Muslim Vegetarians who stay away from meat because they live in a country where you can't get halal meat. Would you do the same if you lived in Muslim country where all the meat is halal? What would you do when you go on hajj? The hadi sacrifce is compulsory for those travelling from abroad for hajj. What about Aqiqa and Udhiya? Are you going to miss out on these important sunnahs.

Personally I feel that a Muslims should not/could not be a strict vegetarian and act as though the world will end if u eat meat (not u bro Woodrow). Be one if you like, but please don't preach your man-made beliefs to others.

Btw. Something that is halaal becomes haraam to a person when eating can be harmful to your life and health. (e.g. those with diabetes eating sugar).

Moderation is the key.

 

[Woodrow]

Isn't that self-contradictory? "Vegan" refers to eating only foods from plants and staying away from all animal products including dairy and fish.

"Vegetarians" do eat dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt).

People who eat fish and no other meat are called "Pescetarians".

I have a question to all Muslim Vegetarians who stay away from meat because they live in a country where you can't get halal meat. Would you do the same if you lived in Muslim country where all the meat is halal? What would you do when you go on hajj? The hadi sacrifce is compulsory for those travelling from abroad for hajj. What about Aqiqa and Udhiya? Are you going to miss out on these important sunnahs.

Personally I feel that a Muslims should not/could not be a strict vegetarian and act as though the world will end if u eat meat (not u bro Woodrow). Be one if you like, but please don't preach your man-made beliefs to others.

Btw. Something that is halaal becomes haraam to a person when eating can be harmful to your life and health. (e.g. those with diabetes eating sugar).

Moderation is the key.

I doubt if the thread starter was intending to push vegetarianism upon non-vegetarians,my feeling is he was trying to show that it not haram to be a vegetarian by choice.

There are people who are forced to live a vegetarian life to a large degree and are not on a vegetarian diet by choice. Some of us (myself) are so because of the lack of halal meat available. There is another group who can never eat meat and that is those who are severely allergic to meat. Yes, such a condition does exist and some have such severe reactions they can die from eating anything that has even touched meat. Usually those same people are also allergic to dairy products and fish. In it's lesser, and more common form the person is only allergic to one type of meat. Sadly that is usually beef and/or other red meats.

To those who live a vegetarian life style, there should be no problem. Provided they are are willing to make concessions that eating meat at some times is an obligation. A vegetarian diet can be very healthy and a meat diet can be very healthy. The key is moderation, variety and keeping it halal.

 

[Snowflake]

^ Falafel is traditionally made with chick peas.

except in Egypt where they are made of fava beans..

Have you both tried the other? I prefer richer flavours.

 

[Woodrow]

Have you both tried the other? I prefer richer flavours.

Personally I find the ones made with Fava beans to have the richer flavor. But, I am a Fava bean lover. To me they have a very meaty flavor. While genuine Falafel is made with Garbanzos (chick peas) I prefer the ones made with Fava Beans.

 

[جوري]

Have you both tried the other? I prefer richer flavours.

Personally I find the ones made with Fava beans to have the richer flavor. But, I am a Fava bean lover. To me they have a very meaty flavor. While genuine Falafel is made with Garbanzos (chick peas) I prefer the ones made with Fava Beans.

I have to second Br. Woodrow.. there is no beating the flavor of the fava bean falafel bar none!
It is amazing that poor people's food can taste so good.. al7mdlillah.. Allah swt does provide for everyone according to their means the best there is..

 

[manaal]

Have you both tried the other? I prefer richer flavours.

Not tried either... despite living in the middle east!

Some vegetarian dishes I truly love are South Indian Chaat and Thali menus. They are very flavoursome (is that a word?) and packed with variety.

@Bro Woodrow. Yes I do understand the situation for western Muslims. But that's not what the pro-veg posters are saying. If halaal is the problem then what's stopping them from eating fish, shellfish and eggs?

 

[Woodrow]

@Bro Woodrow. Yes I do understand the situation for western Muslims. But that's not what the pro-veg posters are saying. If halaal is the problem then what's stopping them from eating fish, shellfish and eggs?

The only thing stopping them would be personal choice or an allergy. They might be missing out on some good stuff by not eating Fish, Shellfish and eggs. But, as long as they are not avoiding them as a cultural/religious (following teachings from a religion besides Islam) choice or because of a superstition it would be halal not to eat them.

But I do not think platypus eggs would be halal.