How Veganism Aligns with Islam

”Do not make your stomachs a graveyard of animals”. (Bihar Al-anwar,volume 41,page 148)

There’s no denying it. Humans have certainly relied on animals for various things, including food, transport, and clothing, for thousands of years - and it was no different during the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). However, The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not introduce the idea of consuming animal products. When the Quran speaks of consuming animals, it does only because it was speaking the language in which they were living daily and dealt with the reality happening on the ground.

Prophet Muhammad actually forbade the mistreatment or abuse of animals, whether they are companion animals, working animals, or those raised for food. He taught Muslims that animals should be spared all unnecessary suffering - with the key word there being unnecessary. And the consumption of animal products is. In fact, it’s not only entirely unnecessary, it’s deeply harmful, to animals, to the planet and to our bodies. It’s definitely not something that we, as human beings, need to do in order to be healthy, or faithful, and as you scroll down this page, our hope is that you will come to realise that.

Let us not forget that The Prophet's diet primarily consisted of plant-based foods such as dates, barley, figs, grapes, and pumpkin, indicating a semi-vegan approach. When asked about his diet, he would simply reply, "Al Aswadayn," which meant water and dates (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Al-Riqaq, Hadith #6094). Meat consumption was infrequent for him and, the fact of the matter is, due to the sheer demand for animal products in the 21st century, modern Halal practices completely fail to adhere to the principles for slaughter set out by Him.

In the past, Muslims would consume meat once a week on Fridays if they were wealthy or during the Eids if they were less fortunate. However, the current trend among Muslims involves consuming meat around three times a day, which has contributed to the suffering of animals, the planet and numerous human diseases. 

So, would you, as a Muslim, be doing something wrong and against your religion if you chose to only eat a plant-based diet? The answer is simply, not at all. After all, the only requirement in Islam is that what you eat must be Halal and Tayyib both in the physical and moral sense. A vegan diet is both of those things.

By embracing a vegan lifestyle, Muslims can prioritize their health while truly honouring the teachings of Islam. It promotes physical well-being, aligns with ethical considerations, emphasizes cleanliness and purity, and encourages balance and moderation. Ultimately, adopting a vegan lifestyle is a proactive step towards fulfilling your responsibility as a caretaker of your body and the environment, while striving to lead a wholesome and spiritually fulfilling life.

The Reality of Animal Products

Harm to Animals

“Fear Allah in your treatment of these animals who cannot speak.”

Meat and Fish

Now, as I’m sure you’re all aware, the Prophet Muhammad said, "Verily Allah has prescribed ihsan (excellence) in all things. So if you kill, kill well; and when you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters." This statement, madeover 1400 years ago, highlights the importance of minimizing animal suffering, a concept that was
simply revolutionary at a time when animals had no rights and were often mistreated.

The Prophet’s goal was to minimize animal suffering, using the best method available at the time: swiftly cutting the throat with a sharp blade. He demonstrated compassion toward animals, as shown by the hadith where he assured a man who spared a sheep from slaughter that Allah would have mercy on him twice.

Today's industrial slaughterhouses, driven by the demands of a colossal global population of nearly 8 billion people, often fail to follow Islamic principles of humane slaughter. Animals endure cruel handling, prolonged transport without food or water, and overcrowded, unsanitary conditions that increase the risk of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19. They are frequently beaten, restrained in primitive conditions, and witness the slaughter of others, contrary to the Prophet’s teachings against causing unnecessary fear or suffering to animals.

The Prophet condemned practices that caused animals to suffer twice, such as sharpening a knife in front of them. So he would almost certainly disapprove of modern practices that prioritize efficiency over animal welfare, despite bearing a Halal label.

The fishing industry is also a significant source of animal suffering, both in wild capture and in aquaculture. Over 2.7 trillion fish are caught every year and, contrary to popular belief, feel do feel pain. They suffocate from the moment they’re hauled out of the water. On the ship, they die from their aforementioned suffocation, extreme distress, or they’re crushed or hacked to pieces whilst still alive.

The fishing industry discards up to 40% of the marine life it captures as bycatch, which includes hundreds of thousands of whales, dolphins, sharks and porpoises each year.

Fish farming, which now accounts for 50% of the world's seafood, subjects fish to severely overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. These conditions often lead to high mortality rates, with up to half of farmed fish dying before they reach the plate. Farmed fish suffer from diseases such as anemia, lice infestations, and heart disease.

With abundant plant-based food options available today, we must question the necessity and ethics of continuing to consume animal products. Genetic modifications and artificial insemination of animals, driven by industrial demands, further deviate from natural and ethical principles, constituting a crime against God’s creation. Islam teaches that altering God's creation is the work of the devil, and modern practices that exploit animals for human pleasure violate these principles.

Reflecting on how the Prophet viewed animal rights, it is clear that the current treatment of animals in the food industry would be deeply troubling to him. We must therefore reconsider our choices and whether they truly align with the compassionate and ethical teachings of Islam.

Dairy

Dairy products are produced primarily from cows milk. Though, of course, there is some demand for goats milk, too. Both of these animals have strong maternal instincts and carry their babies for may months - cows actually carry their calves for nine months, the same as us, and the milk that they produce, just like all mammals, is intended for their babies.

In the dairy industry, most cows are impregnated through artificial insemination - a highly distressing processes that involves farmers restraining the cows and inserting their whole arm into their rectum. Their calves are taken away shortly after birth, in order to maximize milk production. After being separated, both mother and calf experience tremendous grief and anxiety, with farmers freely admitting that they cry out for one another for days, if not weeks afterwards and that this in itself can increase lactation.

Female calves endure the same fate as their mothers, while male calves are typically killed just days after birth, often in a brutal, violent way, or kept for several months before being slaughtered for veal, as there is far less demand for males within the industry. Both sexes are, however, denied the right to drink from their mother and placed onto a weak formula and kept in solitary confinement for prolonged periods of time.

For the mother cow, this cycle repeats until she is no longer capable of producing enough milk. When that happens, she is slaughtered for cheap meat, usually at around 4-5 years old, despite her natural lifespan being around 20-25 years.

Since Islam strictly forbids causing both physical and mental harm to animals, with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Himself saying:

“Who has hurt the feelings of this bird taking its young? Return them to her.”

It begs the very real question, that whilst milk used to be Halal in the time the Quran was written - how can anything about the the modern dairy industry possibly be Halal, and would The Prophet really approve of such a cruel practice?

Eggs
Before human intervention, in their natural environment, hens used to lay around 12 eggs per year, like many other wild birds.
However, the egg industry has now selectively bred hens to produce up to 350+ eggs. This intensive egg-laying cycle severely strains their small bodies, leading to numerous health issues such as osteoporosis and prolapses. This practice of altering a hen's natural egg production is entirely contrary to Islamic principles, which value the preservation of natural order and the well-being of animals.

To maintain the population of productive hens, hatcheries incubate eggs to produce new chicks. Both male and female chicks hatch from these eggs, but the males, being unable to lay eggs, are considered useless by the industry. Consequently, male chicks are killed shortly after hatching, often by methods such as grinding them alive or suffocation. In some cases, they are discarded in garbage bins to die slowly. This treatment of male chicks is profoundly against Islamic teachings, which stress the sanctity of every life. The Quran states, “And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people” (Quran 5:32), highlighting the importance of valuing every individual life.

Throughout their lives, most hens in the egg industry are confined to small, crowded cages where they never experience sunlight or fresh air. They are unable to perform natural behaviors like spreading their wings, perching, or foraging for food. This extreme confinement leads to significant behavioral issues, including aggression and frustration among the hens. To mitigate these issues, the industry often resorts to de-beaking, a process where over a quarter of a hen’s sensitive beak is cut off, all without the use of painkillers. This procedure causes long-term pain.

The use of the words “Free-range” and “organic” were created to make the consumer feel better about their purchase. But, the sad reality is, whether factory farmed, free range, or organic, the egg industry still depletes hens of their calcium through the removal of her eggs, it still sees male chicks as waste products to be disposed of and, whilst cages cannot legally be used, by law, all free-range means is that they must have about an iPad’s worth of space and they are invariably still confined to overcrowded sheds, with very little opportunity to ever see daylight.

When hens are no longer productive, they are sent to slaughter, after enduring a life of suffering. According to Islamic principles, animals should live in good conditions from birth until slaughter for their meat to be considered Halal. And, again, given the massive demand for eggs, no slaughter house can effectively accommodate true Halal rules around slaughter, for there are always other distressed and ill animals present, as well as blood.

The deplorable living conditions and the cruel treatment these hens endure make their meat unlawful to eat, even if they have been slaughtered in a Halal method. Moreover, some hens die from the harsh conditions before they even reach the slaughterhouse, underscoring the inhumanity of the egg industry.

Animal Skins and Fleeces

Islam's teachings on respect and anti-cruelty extend to all animals, including those not consumed for food. Fur, often sourced from animals like mink, foxes, and chinchillas, raises ethical concerns because these animals are kept in terrible conditions, leading to severe suffering. Such treatment is unacceptable in Islam, which prohibits killing animals for sport or luxury, making fur inherently non-Halal except in cases of extreme necessity.

While some argue that using leather is practical since the animal is already destined for slaughter, the process itself frequently involves significant suffering. Additionally, the leather industry profits significantly from this material, contradicting the notion of merely minimizing waste.

Wool production also raises ethical concerns. Shearers, paid by volume, often injure sheep in their haste, leading to untreated wounds and prolonged suffering. Sheep naturally did not require shearing; humans have selectively bred them for excessive wool production, altering their bodies for profit, which, again, directly contradicts the values of and teachings of The Prophet.

Given these considerations, products derived from animals should also be scrutinized for their ethical implications.

Honey

In Islam, killing a bee is considered a great sin.
Profiting from honey requires the exploitation and murder of bees. Bees who are kept for honey are subjected to unnatural living conditions, genetic manipulation, and stressful transportation. Often, the queen’s wings are clipped and she is artificially inseminated, a process that kills up to 15 male bees per queen. They also trick queens into laying more eggs by adding larger wax cells to the hive.

A single worker bee may visit up to 10,000 flowers in one day and produce only a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime, making it a lifetime of work for her. Is that not completely selfish of us?

And despite common misconceptions, bees are capable of suffering. Scientific evidence indicates that many invertebrates with centralized nervous systems can feel both suffering and pleasure. In the The Quran it is stated, “And there is no creature on the earth or bird that flies with its wings except that they are communities like you. We have not neglected a thing in the Register. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.” (Quran 6:38)

Given the significant harm and killing of bees in modern honey production, it raises the question of whether consuming such honey can still be considered Halal.

Harm to One’s Own Health

“Anyone who tampers with God’s grace after it has been bestowed on him will find God to be stern in punishment.” (2:211)

Today, the leading causes of death globally are diseases linked to animal products, especially meat. God ordered Muslims to protect their body and preserve it in the perfect form he has fashioned.

According to the World Health Organization, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health, the analysis of every 50 grams portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. Many other national health recommendations advise people to limit their intake of red or processed meat, as they are linked to increased risks of death from heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses. The largest increase in the percentage of deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease is expected to occur in the eastern Mediterranean region and the largest increase in an absolute number of deaths in South East Asia (World Health Organisation, (CVDs) Factsheet No 317). These are populations that consist of a significant number of Muslims. It is thus critical that factors influencing the development of cardiovascular disease to be addressed within these communities, namely diabetes, high cholesterol, poor diet and lack of exercise.

As of 2019, other than Turkey and Kuwait, the death rate from cardiovascular disease in the Arab and Muslim world is higher than the world average

Harm to the Environment

Animal agriculture significantly impacts the environment through various channels, including greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, land use, waste production, and deforestation. Here's a detailed explanation of how animal agriculture is contributing to environmental destruction:

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Major Contributor: Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing the combined exhaust from all transportation (13%). Livestock and their byproducts account for 32,000 million tons of CO2 annually, which is 51% of all worldwide emissions.

• Methane and Nitrous Oxide: Methane, produced by livestock, is 25-100 times more destructive than CO2 over 20 years, with a global warming potential 86 times that of CO2. Livestock emits 65% of human-related nitrous oxide, which has 296 times the global warming potential of CO2 and remains in the atmosphere for 150 years.

• Projections and Impact: Emissions from agriculture are projected to increase by 80% by 2050. Even if fossil fuels were eliminated, the greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture alone would exceed the sustainable limit by 2030.

Water Consumption

• High Usage: Animal agriculture consumes between 34-76 trillion gallons of water annually. Producing 1 pound of beef requires 2,500 gallons of water, while 1 pound of eggs needs 477 gallons, and 1 pound of cheese requires 900 gallons. Producing 1 gallon of milk needs 1,000 gallons of water.

• Global Impact: This sector is responsible for 20%-33% of all fresh water consumption worldwide.

Land Use

• Extensive Occupation: Livestock or livestock feed occupies one-third of the Earth’s ice-free land.

• Habitat Destruction: It is a leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution, and habitat destruction due to land clearing for feed crops and grazing. Pesticides and fertilizers used for feed crops poison waterways and disrupt animal reproductive systems.

• Desertification and Deforestation: Livestock operations contribute significantly to land degradation and desertification, with one-third of the planet desertified primarily due to livestock. They also drive massive deforestation, particularly in the Amazon, where animal agriculture accounts for up to 91% of destruction.

Waste Production

• Pollution: A farm with 2,500 dairy cows produces waste equivalent to a city of 411,000 people, contributing significantly to pollution and environmental degradation.

Ocean and Rainforest Impact

• Ocean Dead Zones: Livestock operations have created over 500 nitrogen-flooded dead zones in oceans, severely impacting marine life.

• Rainforest Destruction: Animal agriculture is the primary driver of rainforest destruction, responsible for clearing 136 million acres. This deforestation leads to the loss of up to 137 plant, animal, and insect species every day.

Humanity and Resource Allocation

• Inefficient Food Production: Although enough food is produced to feed 10 billion people, over 50% of grain is fed to livestock. This misallocation contributes to global hunger, with 82% of starving children living in countries where food is fed to animals that are consumed in wealthier nations.

• Land Use Efficiency: Feeding a person on a vegan diet requires significantly less land compared to a meat-eater. One and a half acres can produce 37,000 pounds of plant-based food or just 375 pounds of beef.

Environmental Savings of a Vegan Lifestyle

• Reduced Footprint: A vegan diet can reduce a person's carbon dioxide emissions by 50%, oil consumption by 1/11th, water use by 1/13th, and land use by 1/18th compared to a meat-eater. Daily savings for a vegan include 1,100 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grain, 30 square feet of forested land, 20 pounds of CO2 equivalent, and one animal’s life.

Animal agriculture's extensive resource use, greenhouse gas emissions, land and water consumption, and contribution to deforestation and pollution demonstrate its substantial role in environmental degradation.

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