Quran & Hadith: Toxins

TOXINS, INTOXICANTS in the Quran

وانفقوا في سبيل الله ولاتلقوا بايديكم الى التهلكة واحسنوا ان الله يحب المحسنين

Give generously for the cause of Allah and do not cast yourselves into destruction by your own hands. Be charitable: Allah loves those who are charitable.
— Quran, Surat Al-Baqarah 2:195

Hadith referencing TOXINS, INTOXICANTS

Although not one-and-the-same, many foods identified as TOXINS are also INTOXICANTS, consumed because of the effects they have on a person's state of being. AMNA has differentiates between ALCOHOL products and INTOXICANTS. The reason for this is simply to provide more precision in our judgements.

Much of the hadith prohibiting intoxicants is the same the ahadith prohibiting alcohol. The explanation being that:

1. First the Prophet (s.a.s.) first prohibited khamr (wine), 
2. Then he extended the meaning of khamr to include the prohibition of all alcoholic beverages, regardless of what they are made from.
3. Finally, he further extended the meaning of khamr to include any substance that intoxicates.

Prohibition against drinking / consuming alcohol 
or other intoxicants in any quantity or strength

Narrated by Ahmed bin al-Musnad:
"Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, a small amount of it is haram.”
— al-Musnad, 2/91, 167, 179; 3/343.

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:
"I heard the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) say: 'Every intoxicant is forbidden; if a faraq ('fraction') of anything causes intoxication, a handful of it is forbidden.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3679

Prohibition against khamr as medicine
and recognition of it as a disease

Narrated Tariq ibn Suwayd:
"Wa'il said: 'Tariq ibn Suwayd asked the Prophet about wine, but he forbade it. He again asked him, but he forbade him. He said to him: "Prophet of Allah, it is a medicine." The Prophet said: "No it is a disease."'"
— Abu Dawoud

Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet reports that he once said:
"Allah has not placed a cure for your diseases in things that He has forbidden for you.''
— Bukhari on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud.

Abu ad-Darda reported that the Prophet said:
"Allah has sent down both the malady and its remedy. For every disease He has created a cure. So seek medical treatment, but never with something the use of which Allah has prohibited.''
— Abu Dawoud; Sahih Bukhari

Prohibition against buying, selling, transporting, producing alcohol

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar:
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) said: 'Allah has cursed wine, its drinker, its server, its seller, its buyer, its presser, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who conveys it, and the one to whom it is conveyed.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3666

Defining word khamr ('wine') to extend to all alcoholic beverages, 
beyond those produced by grapes

Narrated An-Nu'man ibn Bashir:
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) said: 'From grapes wine is made, from dried dates wine is made, from honey wine is made, from wheat wine is made, from barley wine is made.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3668

Narrated An-Nu'man ibn Bashir: 

"I heard the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) say: 'Wine is made from grape-syrup, raisins, dried dates, wheat, barley, millet, and I forbid you from every intoxicant.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3669

Narrated AbdurRahman ibn Ghanam:
"Malik ibn AbuMaryam said: 'AbdurRahman ibn Ghanam entered upon us and we discussed tila' and he said: "AbuMalik al-Ash'ari told me that he heard the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) say: 'Some of my people will assuredly drink wine calling it by another name.'"'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3680

Extending prohibition of khamr (alcoholic beverages) to all intoxicants

Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin:
"The Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) forbade every intoxicant and everything which produces languidness."
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3672

Islamic Schools of Thought

"It is prohibited to have any kind of food or drink that causes harm to the body, such as poison, intoxicants, hashish or tobacco... [the] Quranic verse [above] indicates the prohibition of eating or drinking anything that may cause harm. In addition, there are many other legal proofs that emphasize the prohibition of any kind of food or drink that may be harmful either to one's mind or body."
— Al Fawzan, Dr. Salih (Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence. Member, The Permanent Committee on Fatwa and Research). "A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence, Vol. 2," Section XI: Food, Chapter 1, p. 652.

Quran & Hadith: Halal

HALAL in the Quran

اليوم احل لكم الطيبات وطعام الذين اوتوا الكتاب حل لكم وطعامكم حل لهم والمحصنات من المؤمنات والمحصنات من الذين اوتوا الكتاب من قبلكم اذا اتيتموهن اجورهن محصنين غير مسافحين ولامتخذي اخدان ومن يكفر بالايمان فقد حبط عمله وهو في الاخرة من الخاسرين

“Today the good things are permitted you, and the food of those who were given the Book is permitted to you, and permitted to them is your food; Likewise believing women in wedlock, and in wedlock women of them who were given the Book before you if you give them their wages, in wedlock and not in licence, or as taking lovers. Whoso disbelieves in the faith, his work has failed, and in the world to come he shall be among the losers."
— Quran. Surat al-Ma'idah 5:5

ياايها الذين امنوا كلوا من طيبات مارزقناكم واشكروا لله ان كنتم اياه تعبدون

"O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship."
— Quran. Surat al-Baqarah 2:172

والانعام خلقها لكم فيها دفء ومنافع ومنها تاكلو ٥ ولكم فيها جمال حين تريحون وحين تسرحون ٦

"And cattle He has created for you (men): from them you derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) you eat. And you have a sense of pride and beauty in them as you drive them home in the evening, and as you lead them forth to pasture in the morning."
— Quran. Surah an-Nahl 16:5-6

Hadith referencing HALAL

“Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.”
— Collected by At-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’I and ad-Darimi; authenticated by Sheikh al-Albaani in Sahih al-Jami as-Saghir, Vol. 1, p. 637, Number 3378

Food of the People of the Book (Christians & Jews)

Narrated Abu Tha'laba Al-Khushani: "I said, 'O Allah's Prophet! We are living in a land ruled by the people of the Scripture; Can we take our meals in their utensils? In that land there is plenty of game and I hunt the game with my bow and with my hound that is not trained and with my trained hound. Then what is lawful for me to eat?' He said, 'As for what you have mentioned about the people of the Scripture, if you can get utensils other than theirs, do not eat out of theirs, but if you cannot get other than theirs, wash their utensils and eat out of it. If you hunt an animal with your bow after mentioning Allah's Name, eat of it. and if you hunt something with your trained hound after mentioning Allah's Name, eat of it, and if you hunt something with your untrained hound (and get it before it dies) and slaughter it, eat of it.'"
— Sahih Bukhari. 67: 387

CHICKEN
Narrated Abu Musa al-Ashari (r.a.a.):

"I saw the Messenger of Allah (r.a.a.) consuming (the meat of) chicken."
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Number 5198

CHEESE
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar:

"The Prophet (s.a.s.) was brought a piece of cheese in Tabuk. He called for a knife, mentioned Allah's Name and cut it."
— Abu Dawoud. Book 27, Number 3810

Jallalah of halal animals 

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar and 'Amr Ibn Shu'ayb:

"The Messenger of Allah (s.a.s.) forbade the eating (of) jallalah or (drinking) its milk."
— Imam Ahmad. Abu Dawud.

[AMNA Note:] The jallalah of otherwise halal animals (chicken, cows, camel, etc.) are excluded from being lawful food. Jallalah are those otherwise halal animals which eat impurities, such as animal feed 'enriched' with animal protein, (sometimes from the same species, making them cannibalistic) or with bone meal [pig-derived].)

In this regard, Ibnul-Qayyim says:

"Muslim scholars have unanimously agreed that if the animal is fed on imure fodder (animal feed), then detained and fed on pure food, its meat and milk became lawful. Likewise, if plants and fruits are watered with impure water, ten watered with pure water, they are deemed lawful. Thus, they are no longer deemed impure food because they have been converted to good and lawful food by means of pure water."
— I'lam Al-Muwaqqi'in 1:40

Quran & Hadith: Food of Shirk (شرك)

FOOD of SHIRK in the Quran

حرمت عليكم الميتة والدم ولحم الخنزير ومااهل لغير الله به والمنخنقة والموقوذة والمتردية والنطيحة ومااكل السبع الا ماذكيتم وماذبح على النصب وان تستقسموا بالازلام ذلك فسق اليوم يئس الذين كفروا من دينكم فلا تخشوهم واخشون اليوم اكملت لكم دينكم واتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الاسلام دينا فمن اضطر في مخمصة غير متجانف لاثم فان الله غفور رحيم

“Forbidden to you (for food) are: … meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allâh's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering,…”
— Quran, Surat Al-Ma'idah 5:3

The food of Christians and Jews has been made lawful for Muslims to eat (so long as it doesn't contain a prohibited substance). Conversely, the food of pagans, polytheists, athiests or those who divert is forbidden. This prohibition is not limited to only meat, but to 'food' in the broadest sense (at-T3am).

اليوم احل لكم الطيبات وطعام الذين اوتوا الكتاب حل لكم وطعامكم حل لهم والمحصنات من المؤمنات والمحصنات من الذين اوتوا الكتاب من قبلكم اذا اتيتموهن اجورهن محصنين غير مسافحين ولامتخذي اخدان ومن يكفر بالايمان فقد حبط عمله وهو في الاخرة من الخاسرين

“Today the good things are permitted you, and the food of those who were given the Book is permitted to you, and permitted to them is your food; Likewise believing women in wedlock, and in wedlock women of them who were given the Book before you if you give them their wages, in wedlock and not in licence, or as taking lovers. Whoso disbelieves in the faith, his work has failed, and in the world to come he shall be among the losers."
— Quran. Surat al-Ma'idah 5:5

Hadith referencing FOOD of SHIRK

Though it is impermissible to eat the food of those who are not People of the Book, pagans, athiests, etc., it is incumbant on Muslims to not reject feeding them.

Prophet Ibrahim had the habit of sharing breakfast with another person. So one day, an old man, a traveler appeared before him, ending his wait for a guest to share his meals. The Prophet invited the old man to breakfast with him. While they were introducing each other, he found that his guest was an idol worhipper. Ibrahim was fiercely opposed to idol worship; he had revolted against his own father earlier. Ibrahim told the man to leave. He waited for another person to share his meal with. According to the tradtion, the Archangel Gabriel appeared and asked Ibrahim why he would not share breakfast with the man. Ibrahim replied that it was because he was an idol worshipper. Gabriel then asked Ibrahim to tell him how old the man was. Then Gabriel asked Ibrahim: "If God can tolerate and provide a man who's been an idolator for his whole long life with food and other things for his survival, then why can’t Ibrahim tolerate him for just one meal? Ibrahim went out to call the traveler back to breakfast with him and apologized to the man.

HARAM: Jallalah of Halal Animals

Jallalah is an Arabic term meaning an otherwise halal animal which has been made (temporarily) unclean due to the unclean food it eats. This encompasses cattle fed garbage, waste and animal (by-)products. The meat from such an animal is considered haram until it is fed a diet of clean food for a period of 3 months. Most "supermarket meat" comes from animals raised in Factory Farms, where efficiency of production (high volume, low cost) outweighs other concerns.

Jallalah of halal animals Narrated by Ibn 'Umar and 'Amr Ibn Shu'ayb:
"The Messenger of Allah (s.a.s.) forbade the eating (of) jallalah or (drinking) its milk."
— Imam Ahmad. Abu Dawud.

In this regard, Ibnul-Qayyim says:
"Muslim scholars have unanimously agreed that if the animal is fed on imure fodder (animal feed), then detained and fed on pure food, its meat and milk became lawful. Likewise, if plants and fruits are watered with impure water, ten watered with pure water, they are deemed lawful. Thus, they are no longer deemed impure food because they have been converted to good and lawful food by means of pure water."
— I'lam Al-Muwaqqi'in 1:40

Related Topics:

Halal Animals
Organic Meat
Supermarket Meat

Quran & Hadith: Predators

Hadith referencing PREDATORS

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas:
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) prohibited eating (the meat of) every taloned bird and every predatory animal possessing canine teeth."
— Sahih Muslim, Book 021, Number 4752

Narrated by Abu Darda:
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) prevented the eating of khatafah (خطفة) [creatures that snatch (monkeys, raccoons, etc.)], nahabah (نهبه) [creatures that plunder (mice, rats, etc.)] and mujathama (مجثمة) [animals which are tied down, restricted or trapped for target shooting], and every predator possessing canine teeth / fangs."
— Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja and Nisaa'i

Narrated Abu Tha'laba Al-Khushani:
"Allah's Prophet forbade the eating of the meat of beasts having fangs."
— Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67; Muslim.

There is only one noted exception and that is the hyena, as indicated in the following hadith.
Narrated by Jabir ibn 'Abdullah:
"I asked Allah’s Messenger about the hyena and he replied, 'It is game, and if one in the state of ihram hunts it, he should give a sheep as atonement.'"
— Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 3, p. 1071, Number 3792; As-Daarimee, Al-Bayhaqee, Ibn Hibaan, Ad-Daaraqutnee and Al-Hakim, and declared Sahih by al-Haakim and al-Albaani in Irwaa al-Ghaleel, Vol. 1, p. 242, Number 1050

Islamic Schools of Thought

Predatory Land Animals
The Shafi'i School of fiqh states:
In Shafi'i fiqh, there is a distinction between animals with an innate 'predatory nature' that can conceivably prey on humans and those that do not or which are opportunists / scavengers.

Imam Shafi'i states:
"There is no eating of predatory animals with claws which feed on people: lion, tiger, and wolf. There is eating of the hyena and the fox."

Within the Shafi'i madh'hab, the great scholar Ibnul-Qayim has said: 

"The animals that are prohibited are those having the two attributes of having fangs and being predators by nature such as lions, wolves, tigers and leopards. But, as for the hyena, it only has one of these two attributes; it has fangs, but it is not a predatory beast by nature. The predatory beasts are forbidden to be eaten owing to the predatory nature they possess which is transmitted to the one feeding on them. However, the hyena is not considered a beast of prey by nature whether linguistically or conventionally."
— Ibnul-Qayim. "I'lam Al-Muwaqqi'in" (2/126), (4/ 240, 380).

The Hanafi School of fiqh states:
In Hanafi fiqh, the hyena and the fox are not permissible because this School (مذهب) defines a predatory animal as an animal that habitually snatches, plunders, wounds and kills aggressively, using the above hadith (as narrated by Abu Darda) as its proof.

See the principles of permissibility & impermissibility of animals in Hanafi fiqh.

The Maliki School of fiqh states:

In Maliki fiqh, the School takes the principle to forbid those predatory animals that have fangs. His opinion is based on the fact that the Prophet (s.a.s.) forbade the eating of predatory animals with fangs, which birds do not have, and are thus not forbidden although they might be predatory.

Imam Malik states: 
"There is no eating of lions, nor cats whether wild or domestic, nor fox, nor hyena, nor anything that is predatory."

Within the Maliki Madh'hab it is considered to be makrouh tahreem to eat vultures and hyena.

al-Awza'i says: 
"All birds are allowed except vultures (which are) reprehensible."

al-Layth says:
"There is no harm in eating a cat but a hyena is reprehensible."

[AMNA Note: The Arabic phrase "ذى ناب" can be understood to mean both "possessor of fangs" or "possessor of canine teeth." This could be the source of difference of opinion between the Maliki and Hanafi medhahib.]

Predatory Birds
The Shafi'i School of fiqh:
Imam Shafi'i states: 
"There is no eating of ... the vulture, falcon and birds like them because they are birds that feed on people."

The Hanafi School of fiqh:
Imam Abu Hanifa dislikes the eating of the meats of vultures and small hunting birds, that people do not normally eat, because they eat carcasses (carrion, الميتة).

The Maliki School of fiqh:
Imam Malik states: 
"There is no harm in eating predatory birds: Egyptian vultures, eagles, other vultures, and other birds that do not eat carrion."

"Among the birds that are forbidden to be eaten are those which feed on carrion, like vultures and crows, owing to the evil food they feed on."
— Al Fawzan, Dr. Salih (Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence. Member, The Permanent Committee on Fatwa and Research). "A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence, Vol. 2," Section XI: Food, Chapter 1, p. 654.

Quran, hadith and fiqh on eating Snakes and Scorpions.

Crocodiles
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa said:

“Malik and a number of other scholars, and Ash-Shafi’I, permitted eating snail and crocodiles, because they are from the game of the sea. [However,] Abu Hanifah and a number of other scholars forbade them because they are predators [and are not truly ocean creatures]. And the question is one requiring Ijtihaad and the matter is a wide one, so it is more prudent not to eat them, bearing in mind the difference of opinion and the preponderance of the likelihood that it is not allowed.”
— Fatawa Islamiyah, 6/230

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid was asked about Crocodiles and he said:

“The correct view is that eating these is not allowed, because they have fangs and live on land – even though they may spend a lot of time in the water – so precedence should be given to the reason for forbidding it (it is a land animal that has fangs)” and Allah Knows Best."

Quran & Hadith: Zabiha (ذبيحة)

Zabihah in the Quran

اليوم احل لكم الطيبات وطعام الذين اوتوا الكتاب حل لكم وطعامكم حل لهم والمحصنات من المؤمنات والمحصنات من الذين اوتوا الكتاب من قبلكم اذا اتيتموهن اجورهن محصنين غير مسافحين ولامتخذي اخدان ومن يكفر بالايمان فقد حبط عمله وهو في الاخرة من الخاسرين

"This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,- when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues if any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good)."
— Quran, Surat Al-Ma'idah 5:5

ولاتاكلوا مما لم يذكر اسم الله عليه وانه لفسق وان الشياطين ليوحون الى اوليائهم ليجادلوكم وان اطعتموهم انكم لمشركون

"Do not eat that which the name of Allah has not been mentioned."
— Quran. Surat al-Ana'm. 6:121

Hadith referencing Zabihah

Prohibition Against Cruelty to Animals
Narrated by Abu Darda: "
The Prophet (s.a.s.) prevented the eating of khatafah (خطفة) [creatures that snatch (monkeys, raccoons, etc.)], nahabah (نهبه) [creatures that plunder (mice, rats, etc.)] and mujathama (مجثمة) [animals which are tied down, restricted or penned in for target shooting], and every predator possessing canine teeth / fangs."
— Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja and Nisaa'i

“When you will show mercy on an animal, God will show mercy on you.”
—Al-Hakim

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar:
"Allah's Apostle said, 'A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger.' Allah's Apostle further said, '(Allah knows better) Allah said (to the woman), "You neither fed it nor watered when you locked it up, nor did you set it free to eat the insects of the earth."' "
— Bukhari 3:553. Also in Muslim, Narrated Abu Huraira

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas (r.a.a.):
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) said: 'Do not take anything in which there is a soul as a target.' "

Narrated by Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (r.a.a.):
"The Messenger of Allah (s.a.s.) forbade tormenting any kind of animal to death."
— Muslim

... In Slaughter
“If one wishes to slaughter an animal, let him prepare for it”
— Ibn Majah

On the authority of Abu Ya’la Shahddad ibn Aus, the Messenger of Allah said:
“Verily Allah has prescribed proficiency in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters”
— Muslim

lbn `Abbas once recorded that the Prophet (s.a.s.) saw a man who was sharpening his knife after laying down a sheep to be slaughtered. He rebuked him saying, “Did you intend to make it die two deaths? Why did you not sharpen your knife before laying it down?”
— Al-Hakim

"Allah has ordained kindness (or excellence) in everything. If killing is to be done, do it in the best manner, and when you slaughter, do it in the best manner by first sharpening the knife and putting the animal at ease."
— Muslim

In an incident narrated by Rafi’ bin Khadij, the Prophet told Muslims who wanted to slaughter some animals using reeds: “Use whatever causes blood to flow, and eat the animals if the Name of Allah has been mentioned on slaughtering them...”
— Bukhari

Islamic Schools of Thought

Regarding the Mentioning of bismillah 
... at the Time of Slaughter
Between the Islamic Schools of Thought, there are differences of opinion as to the mentioning of the Name of Allah at the time of slaughter, which would render the same meat either permissible or impermissible by different Schools.

The Hanafi School of fiqh states:
"If the slaughterer intentionally does not mention Allah's name (at the time of slaughter), then the slaughtered animal is 'dead meat' (maytah) and is not allowable. If the slaughterer leaves off the name of Allah forgetfully (but with intention), then it is allowable."
— Al-Hidayah. Kitab al-Dhabaha.

The Hanafi School of fiqh allows the meat to be eaten when the mentioning has been left off, forgetfully, to allow for the forgetfulness of mankind and to ease hardship on the people. For the Hanafis, the action is what is sanctified, not the animal (meat) to be slaughtered, citing the hadith below. The slaughterer's intention is voiced by his saying bismillah, but the forgetting of saying bismillah does not nullify the intention of the sincere slaughterer. Therefore, by the same rites, it is not sufficient to say bismillah only on the meat while it is on your plate because the action has already occured.

Narrated Aadee bin Hatem:
"I said: ‘O Prophet of Allah, I send my (hunting) dog and mention the Name of Allah.’ The Prophet (s.a.s.) told me: ‘If you send your dog mentioning the Name of Allah and he killed, you eat; but if he eats from it, do not eat. He has caught it for himself.’ I said: ‘I send my dog, and then I find another dog with him, and I do not know which one caught for me.’ The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘Do not eat, because you only invoked the Name on your dog, and not on the other.’"
— Al-Bukhari and Muslim

With regards to the requirement that the slaughterer must mention the Name of Allah, the Hanafi School does not make a distinction as to whether the slaughterer is Muslim, Christian or Jew. All must mention His Name, since all are regarded as worshipping Allah, the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

The Maliki School of fiqh states:
"The meat is not allowable from both angles (whether or not the Name of Allah was left off intentionally, or non-intentionally)."

Imam Malik takes the literal meaning of the ayyah [6:121], to allow only those meats over which the Name of Allah has been mentioned at the time of slaughter. Period.

The Shafi'i School of fiqh states: 
The Shafi'i School of fiqh is of the opinion that the meat of halal animals is edible regardless of whether the Name of Allah has been pronounced on it at the time of slaughter, so long as the conditions of slaughter are met. The Shafi'i School cites the following ahadith for its position:

Narrated Hadrat Sayyidah A’isha:
"A group of people said to the Nabi (s.a.s.), 'Some people brought us meat and we do not know whether or not they have mentioned Allah’s name on it (while slaughtering the animal) or not.' He (s.a.s.) said, 'Mention the Name of Allah over it and then eat it.'”
— Sahih al-Bukhari

"The Muslim slaughters in the Name of Allah, whether it is mentioned or not mentioned."
— Dar al-Qutni and Baihaqi

Regarding Food (Meat) of the People of the Book
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fataawa (http://www.fatwa-online.com), an Islamic organization consisting of the most senior Sunni scholars of fiqh in Saudi Arabia says:

"[At the time of the Prophet (s.a.s.)], the Jews and Christians were disbelievers in many of the fundamentals of faith which were brought in the Torah and Injeel: the Jews disbelieved in the prophethood of some prophets, such as ‘Isa and Muhammad (p.b.u.t.), and they killed the prophets unlawfully and corrupted many of the laws of the Torah. A number of them said ‘Uzair was the son of Allah, etc. [Also at that time] the Christians used to [and still] say that Allah is the Third of Three (in a trinity), and that Isa is the son of Allah, and they disbelieve in the prophethood of Muhammad (p.b.u.h.).

"In spite of this, Allah called them the People of the Scripture and He made it permissible for the Muslims (to eat) their slaughtered animals and to marry their chaste women. Their disbelief, their polytheism and their corruption of their Scriptures did not prevent the ruling of the People of the Scripture being implemented regarding them during the time of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.). So it does not prevent them from being implemented regarding them until the Day of Resurrection.”
— Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 6, p. 247

AMNA Note: It is AMNA's position that (strictly speaking) it is not haram to eat meat that the name of Allah was not spoken over during slaughter, so long as it is said before the food has been consumed AND so long as it can be reasonably established that the animal was slaughtered in an 'Islamic manner'— not shocked, maltreated, stunned or otherwise rendered unconscious before death.

However, AMNA acknowledges that given the prevailing conditions found in Factory Farming, particularly the well publicized mistreatment of some animals in certain slaughterhouses, buying supermarket meat is problematic and raises more questions than answers, and as such is best to avoid.

Therefore, AMNA believes where halal butchers exist, Muslims should buy zabihah so that they may avoid problematic or questionable foods.

Regarding Stunning before Slaughter
In slaughterhouses, it is common to give large animals such as cows a blow to the forehead using a retractable bolt gun. Because a small fraction of these animals die from the blow, instead of just being knocked unconscious, and because of issues of animal cruelty, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether this practice is halal. Here, we provide a brief overview of positions from both sides.

"If it is not easy to slaughter animals unless they have been stunned by a method that will not kill them before they are slaughtered, then it is permissible to stun them and slaughter them whilst they are still alive, in cases of necessity. "
— Fataawa al-Lajnah al-‘Daa’imah, 22/456-457

"Cattle that have been exposed to a fatal blow are permissible so long as they are slaughtered properly before they die, otherwise it is not permissible to eat them."
— Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 22/455

According to the ruling on animals which are slaughtered after suffering a violent blow (but before dying), these scholars take the position that if the butcher slaughters the cattle as soon as it is struck, then it is permissible to eat it. But if it is 'slaughtered' after it has died then it is not permissible to eat.

The problem for Muslims is that U.S. Meat Industry regulations do not prohibit meat from animals that have died from the blow. Muslims have no way of knowing if supermarket meat came from an animal who died before slaughter or not.

Reference:
"Best Practices for Beef Slaughter," 2003. Edited by: National Meat Association, Southwest Meat Association, American Meat Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  http://haccpalliance.org/sub/food-safety/BestPracslaught1103.pdf [PDF]
SPOTLIGHT on ETHICS: Factory Farming

Quran & Hadith: Carrion, Dead (الميتة)

CARRION in the Quran

حرمت عليكم الميتة والدم ولحم الخنزير ومااهل لغير الله به والمنخنقة والموقوذة والمتردية والنطيحة ومااكل السبع الا ماذكيتم وماذبح على النصب وان تستقسموا بالازلام ذلك فسق اليوم يئس الذين كفروا من دينكم فلا تخشوهم واخشون اليوم اكملت لكم دينكم واتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الاسلام دينا فمن اضطر في مخمصة غير متجانف لاثم فان الله غفور رحيم

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. "
— Quran, Surat Al-Ma'idah 5:3

Hadith referencing CARRION

Narrated by Muhammad bin Idris Ash-Shafi`i :
Ibn `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said, “We were allowed two dead animals and two (kinds of) blood. As for the two dead animals, they are fish and locust. As for the two bloods, they are liver and spleen.”
[Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Ibn Majah, Ad-Daraqutni and Al-Bayhaqi also recorded this hadith]

Islamic Schools of Thought

In his tafsir Imam Ibn Katheer says:
Allah informs His servants that He forbids consuming the mentioned types of foods, such as maytah (carrion), which is the animal that dies before being properly slaughtered or hunted. Allah forbids this type of food due to the harm it causes, because of the blood that becomes clogged in the veins of the dead animal. Therefore, the maytah is harmful, religiously and physically, and this is why Allah has prohibited it. The only exception to this ruling is fish, for fish is allowed, even when dead, by slaughtering or otherwise.”

Sheikh Ibn Baz said:
“If a person is forced by necessity to (eat dead meat), it is permissible for him to do so." according to the Words of Allah*, Most High."
* [Reference: Surat al-Ma'ida 5:3]

AMNA Note: As agreed upon by all the 4 methahab, "severe hunger" is defined as facing death through starvation. In which case, it is permissible for a person to eat only as much (of the haram substance) as he or she needs to sustain themselves to stay alive. It does not refer to simply feeling hungry.

Animals Which Eat Carrion
"Among [the creatures] it is forbidden to be eaten are those which feed on carrion (dead meat), like vultures and crows, owing to the evil food they feed on [so] it is prohibited to eat insects, as they are injurious."
— Al Fawzan, Dr. Salih (Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence. Member, The Permanent Committee on Fatwa and Research). "A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence, Vol. 2," Section XI: Food, Chapter 1, p. 654.

Quran & Hadith: Blood

BLOOD in the Quran

حرمت عليكم الميتة والدم ولحم الخنزير ومااهل لغير الله به والمنخنقة والموقوذة والمتردية والنطيحة ومااكل السبع الا ماذكيتم وماذبح على النصب وان تستقسموا بالازلام ذلك فسق اليوم يئس الذين كفروا من دينكم فلا تخشوهم واخشون اليوم اكملت لكم دينكم واتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الاسلام دينا فمن اضطر في مخمصة غير متجانف لاثم فان الله غفور رحيم

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
— Quran, Surat Al-Ma'idah 5:3

Hadith referencing BLOOD

Narrated by Muhammad bin Idris Ash-Shafi`i :

Ibn `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said, “We were allowed two dead animals and two (kinds of) blood. As for the two dead animals, they are fish and locust. As for the two bloods, they are liver and spleen.”

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Ibn Majah, Ad-Daraqutni and Al-Bayhaqi also recorded this hadith.

Islamic Schools of Thought

There are no differences between the methahab with regards to the consumption of blood.

"People of the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance (Al-Jahiliyyah) used to put [blood] in the entrails, grill it and eat it. However, whatever blood remaining inside the flesh of the slaughtered animal or in the veins is lawful. Rather, it is ot considred impure even if one touches it with the hand or with a piece of cotton for example and it leaves visible traces."
— Al Fawzan, Dr. Salih (Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence. Member, The Permanent Committee on Fatwa and Research). "A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence, Vol. 2," Section XI: Food, Chapter 1, p. 652.

In this respect, Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
"The right opinion is that the blood that is forbidden is the shed, the spilled or the poured blood; however, the blood left in the veins is not deemed prohibited by any of Muslim scholars."

Quran & Hadith: Index

ياايها الذين امنوا كلوا من طيبات مارزقناكم واشكروا لله ان كنتم اياه تعبدون

"O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship."
— Quran. 2:172

ALCOHOL

• ALCOHOL in the Quran
• Hadith referencing ALCOHOL
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

BLOOD

• BLOOD in the Quran
• Hadith referencing BLOOD
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

CARRION (DEAD) الميتة

• CARRION in the Quran
• Hadith referencing CARRION
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

DONKEY & HORSE

• DONKEY & HORSE in the Quran
• Hadith referencing DONKEY & HORSE
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

HALAL

• HALAL in the Quran
• Hadith referencing HALAL
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

HAWWAM
(Insects, Reptiles, Amphibians & Rodents)

• HAWWAM in the Quran
• Hadith referencing HAWWAM
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

HUMAN, PRIMATE

• HUMANS in the Quran
• Hadith referencing HUMANS
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

PORK

• PIGS in the Quran
• Hadith referencing PIGS
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

PREDATORS

• PREDATORS in the Quran
• Hadith referencing PREDATORS
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

SHIRK شرك

• SHIRK in the Quran
• Hadith referencing SHIRK
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

TOXIC / INTOXICANT

• INTOXICANTS in the Quran
• Hadith referencing INTOXICANTS
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

Zabihah ذبيحة

• Zabihah in the Quran
• Hadith referencing Zabihah
• Fiqh: rulings and differences

Quran & Hadith: Human, Primate

HUMAN & PRIMATE in the Quran

ياايها الذين امنوا اجتنبوا كثيرا من الظن ان بعض الظن اثم ولاتجسسوا ولايغتب بعضكم بعضا ايحب احدكم ان ياكل لحم اخيه ميتا فكرهتموه واتقوا الله ان الله تواب رحيم

"O you who believe, you shall avoid any suspicion, for even a little bit of suspicion is sinful. You shall not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite one another; this is as abominable as eating the flesh of your dead brother. You certainly abhor this. You shall observe Allah. Allah is Redeemer, Most Merciful."
— Quran. al-Hujurat 49:12

قل هل انبئكم بشر من ذلك مثوبة عند الله من لعنه الله وغضب عليه وجعل منهم القردة والخنازير وعبدالطاغوت اولئك شر مكانا واضل عن سواء السبيل

"Say, 'Let me tell you who are worse in the sight of Allah: those who are condemned by Allah after incurring His wrath until He made them (as despicable as) monkeys and pigs, and the idol worshipers. These are far worse, and farther from the right path.'"
— Quran. Surat al-Ma'idah 5:60

Hadith referencing HUMAN & PRIMATE

Narrated by Abu Darda: 
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) prevented the eating of khatafah (خطفة) [creatures that snatch], nahabah (نهبه) [creatures that plunder] and mujathama (مجثمة) [animals which are restricted or trapped for target shooting], and every predator possessing canine teeth / fangs."
— Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja and Nisaa'i

[AMNA Note:] Monkeys and other primates fall into the category of khatafah, as related in the hadith above.

Quran & Hadith: Donkey (& Horse)

With hadith and fiqh on Mule Meat & Milk

DONKEY and HORSE in the Quran

والخيل والبغال والحمير لتركبوها وزينة ويخلق مالاتعلمون

"And the horse and the mule and the donkey, they are for you to ride and a source of beauty. And He creates other things you do not know."
— َQuran. Surat al-Nahl 16:8

واعدوا لهم مااستطعتم من قوة ومن رباط الخيل ترهبون به عدو الله وعدوكم واخرين من دونهم لاتعلمونهم الله يعلمهم وماتنفقوا من شئ في سبيل الله يوف اليكم وانتم لاتظلمون

"Arm yourselves against them with all the firepower and cavalry you can muster, to terrify the enemies of Allah and your enemies, and others besides them whom you do not know. Allah knows them. Anything you spend in the Way of Allah will be repaid to you in full. You will not be wronged. "
— Quran. Surat al-Anfal 8:60

Hadith referencing DONKEY and HORSE

DONKEYS
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
"Someone came to Allah's Apostle and said, "The donkeys have been (slaughtered and) eaten." Another man came and said, "The donkeys have been destroyed." On that the Prophet ordered a caller to announce to the people: 'Allah and His Apostle forbid you to eat the meat of donkeys, for it is impure.' Thus the pots were turned upside down while the (donkeys') meat was boiling in them."
— Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 436

Narrated by Ali ibn Abu Talib (r.a.):
The Prophet (s.a.s.) abrogated (banned) temporary marriages and made the meat of the (domesticated) donkey unlawful on the day of the battle of Khaibar.

Narrated by Khalid ibn Waleed (r.a.):
The Prophet (s.a.s.) prohibited the meat of horses and the mule and the donkey on the day of (the battle of) Khaibar.
[AMNA Note: Conflicts following hadith.]

Narrated by Jabir (r.a.):
The Prophet (s.a.s.) prohibited the meat of domesticated donkey and he permitted the (eating of) horse meat on the day of Khaibar.
—Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim
[AMNA Note: Conflicts preceding hadith.]

Narrated Al-Bara' and Ibn Abi 'Aufa:
The Prophet prohibited the eating of donkey's meat.
— Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 434

HORSES
Asma' said:
"We slaughtered a horse (by dhabh) during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle while we were at Medina, and we ate it."
— Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 419

Islamic Schools of Thought

DONKEYS

Ibnul-Mundhir said:
"There is no disagreement among Muslim scholars regarding the prohibition of the flesh of domestic donkeys."
— Ar-Rawd Al-Murbi'. 7: 418

MULES
Sheikh Muhammad bin Salih Al-‘Uthaimin said:
“Also included (in the prohibition of impure animals) is that which is born an animal which may be eaten and one which may not, such as the Mule, because the mule is born of the donkey when it mates with a female horse, and the horse is permissible, while the donkey is forbidden. So when something is born of that which may be eaten and that which may not, the forbidden portion overcomes the permissible portion and it becomes forbidden.”
— Fatawa Islamiya, Vol. 6, p. 219

HORSES
The majority of scholars are of the view that it is permissible (but makrouh, hated) to eat horses, because of the sound ahadith narrated by Jabir and by Asma' concerning so.

The Hanafi & Maliki Schools of fiqh:
Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik consider eating the meat of horse mekhrouh tahreem (مكروه تحريم). The horse is a noble creature, bestowing nobility on those who ride it. It is also a valuable instrument of battle. Therefore, Imam Abu Hanifa considers it demeaning to use it as a source for meat.

The Shafi'i School of fiqh:
Imam Shafi'i considers that there is nothing wrong with (لا باس باكله) eating horse meat, and considers it as makhrouh tanzih (مكروه تنزيه), citing the hadith of Jabir (r.a.).

MILK
There is a consensus among the Imams of fiqh regarding the milk of horse and donkey. that there is no problem with drinking it because it does not result in the depletion of the tools of war.

Quran & Hadith: Hawwam هوام

Hadith referencing HAWWAM

The only insect judged to be halal is the locust; the same is true in kashruth.

Ibn Abu Aufa said: "

We went on seven expeditions with Allah's Messenger (s.a.s.) and ate locusts."

— Sahih Bukhari, Book 021, Number 4801

Ibn Abi Awfa (r.a.a.) was asked about consuming of a locust and he said:

"I fought with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.s.) in six or seven battles, and we used to eat it (locust) with him."

— Sunan Abu Dawud, Number 3806

[AMNA Note: for more information about parrallels and differences between Islamic and Jewish dietary law (kashruth), see our section: Kosher v. Halal]

Narrated at-Talabb ibn Tha'labah at-Tamimi:

"I accompanied the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him), but I did not hear about the prohibition of (eating) insects and little creatures of land."

—Sunnan Abu Dawoud, Kitab Al-At'ima. Book 27: 3789

LIZARDS

'Abdullah b. 'Abbas reported:

"I and Khalid b. Walid went to the apartment of Maimuna along with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), and there was presented to him a roasted lizard (dabb). Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stretched his hand towards It, whereupon some of the women who had been in the house of Maimuna said: 'Inform Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) what he intends to eat.' Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) lifted his hand. I said: 'Messenger of Allah, Is it forbidden?' He said: 'No. It is not found in the land of my people, and I feel that I have no liking for it.' Khalid said: 'I then chewed and ate it, while, Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was looking (at me).'

—Sahih Muslim, Book 021, Number 4790

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:

"I was in the house of Maymunah. The Prophet, accompanied by Khalid ibn al-Walid entered. Two roasted long-tailed lizards (dabb) placed on sticks were brought to him. The Prophet (s.a.s.) spat. Khalid said: 'I think that you abominate it, O Prophet of Allah.' He said: 'Yes.' Then the Prophet of Allah was brought milk, and he drank it. The Prophet of Allah then said: 'When one of you eats food, he should say: "O Allah, bless us in it, and give us food better than it." When he is given milk to drink, he should say: "O Allah! Bless us in it and give us more of it," for no food or drink satisfies like milk.'"

Narrated Thabit ibn Wadi'ah:

"We were in an army with the Prophet (s.a.s.). We got some lizards (dabb). I roasted one lizard and brought it to the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) and placed it before him. He took a stick and counted its fingers. He then said: 'A group from the children of Isra'il were transformed into an animal of the land, and I do not know which animal it was.' He did not eat it, nor did he forbid (its eating).

— Abu Dawoud. Book 27, 3786

Narrated AbduRahman ibn Shibl: "The Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) forbade eating the flesh of lizard."

— Abu Dawoud. Book 27, 3787

ISLAMIC SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

INSECTS

All Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence disallow the eating of insects.

The Hanafi School of fiqh:

Within Hanafi fiqh, those land animals that have no blood in them, such as a hornet, fly, spider, beetle, scorpion, ant, etc. are considered haram, because a sound natured person would detest their consumption. The only exception is that of a locust, for the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) clearly permitted its consumption, in the Hadith of Sunan Abu Dawud quoted earlier.

Within the Hanifi School of Islamic Jurisprudence, those land-animals who have blood in them but the blood does not flow, are also considered haram, such as a snake, lizard, chameleon, etc. (See below)

The Hanbali School of fiqh:

Within Hanbali fiqh, insects are not permitted because they are injurious:

"Among [the creatures] it is forbidden to be eaten are those which feed on carrion (dead meat)... owing to the evil food they feed on [so] it is prohibited to eat insects, as they are injurious."

— Al Fawzan, Dr. Salih (Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence. Member, The Permanent Committee on Fatwa and Research). "A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence, Vol. 2," Section XI: Food, Chapter 1, p. 654.

Saudi Arabia prohibits carmine (cochineal), a red-rust food coloring made from ground carmine beetles, for use in foods imported into or sold in the Kingdom.

USDA Gain Report. "Saudi Arabia: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards" [PDF]

FROGS

‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Uthmaan, who said: "When a physician consulted the Prophet (s.a.s.) about putting frogs in medicine, he forbade him to kill them."

— Abu Dawoud 41/5249

The rule is that everything which we are forbidden to kill, we are not allowed to eat; if we are allowed to eat it we are allowed to kill it.

Saudi Arabia prohibits the importation of frog legs into the Kingdom.

USDA Gain Report #SA6016: "Saudi Arabia Retail Food Sector Update." [PDF]

SNAKES & SCORPIONS

Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah says:

"It is unanimously agreed upon among Muslim scholars that eating snakes and scorpions is prohibited. Therefore, if any one eats such animals regarding them as lawful to be eaten, he is to be urged to repent (for denying an agreed upon legal ruling), and whoever regards them as prohibited foods but eats them is considered sinful and defiantly disobedient to Allah and His Messenger (s.a.s.)."

— Ibn Taymiyah, Majmu' ul-Fatawa. (11/690)

Quran & Hadith: Pork (& the PIG)

PIGS in the QURAN

حرمت عليكم الميتة والدم ولحم الخنزير ومااهل لغير الله به والمنخنقة والموقوذة والمتردية والنطيحة ومااكل السبع الا ماذكيتم وماذبح على النصب وان تستقسموا بالازلام ذلك فسق اليوم يئس الذين كفروا من دينكم فلا تخشوهم واخشون اليوم اكملت لكم دينكم واتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الاسلام دينا فمن اضطر في مخمصة غير متجانف لاثم فان الله غفور رحيم

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. "

— Quran, Surat Al-Ma'idah 5:3

قل لااجد في مااوحي الي محرما على طاعم يطعمه الا ان يكون ميتة او دما مسفوحا او لحم خنزير فانه رجس او فسقا اهل لغير الله به فمن اضطر غير باغ ولاعاد فان ربك غفور رحيم

"Say: 'I did not find in what has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, except the meat of an already dead animal, or running blood or the flesh of swine (pork) - for these are unclean - or flesh of an animal which has become profane because of slaughtering in the names other than Allah. Even so, if anyone is forced in a helpless situation, intending neither disobedience nor transgression, you will find your Lord Forgiving, Merciful.'"

— Quran, Surat al-An'am 6:145

HADITH REFERENCING PIGS

Selling PORK is forbidden.

"When Allah prohibits a thing, He prohibits (giving and receiving) the price of it as well."

— Reported by Ahmad, Abu Daoud

Narrated Jabir ibn Abd Allah:

"The Messenger of Allah said, 'Verily, Allah and His Messenger have prohibited the sale of alcohol, dead animals, swine and idols.'"

— Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim

ISLAMIC SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

There are no differences within the Four Schools of Thought with regards to eating or handling pigs and pig products.

Quran & Hadith: Alcohol

Includes hadith and fiqh for alcohol-derived vinegars.

ALCOHOL in the Quran
Intoxicants were forbidden in the Quran through several separate verses revealed at different times over a period of years. At first, it was forbidden for Muslims to attend to prayers while intoxicated:

ياايها الذين امنوا لاتقربوا الصلاة وانتم سكارى حتى تعلموا ماتقولون ولاجنبا الا عابري سبيل حتى تغتسلوا وان كنتم مرضى او على سفر او جاء احد منكم من الغائط او لامستم النساء فلم تجدوا ماء فتيمموا صعيدا طيبا فامسحوا بوجوهكم وايديكم ان الله كان عفوا غفورا

O believers! Do not offer your Salah when you are drunk until you know what you are saying; nor in a state of janaba, except when you are travelling, unless you wash your whole body. If you are sick, or on a journey, or one of you has used the toilet, or has had (sexual) contact with women and can find no water, then make Tayammum: take some clean earth and rub your faces and hands with it. Allah is Lenient, Forgiving.

— Quran, Surat al-Nisaa 4:43

Then a later verse was revealed which said that alcohol contains some good and some evil, but the evil is greater than the good:

يسألونك عن الخمر والميسر قل فيها اثم كبير ومنافع للناس واثمهما اكبر من نفعهما ويسألونك ماذا ينفقون قل العفو كذلك يبين الله لكم الايات لعلكم تتفكرون

They ask you about drinking and gambling. Tell them: "There is great sin in both, although they may have some benefit for men; but the sin is greater than the benefit." They ask you what they should spend; tell them: "Whatever you can." Thus Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so that you may reflect upon [them].

— Quran, Surat al-Baqarah 2:219

This was the next step in turning people away from consumption of it. Finally, Muslims were ordered to abstain:

٩٠ ياايها الذين امنوا انما الخمر والميسر والانصاب والازلام رجس من عمل الشيطان فاجتنبوه لعلكم تفلحون ٩١ انما يريد الشيطان ان يوقع بينكم العداوة والبغضاء في الخمر والميسر ويصدكم عن ذكر الله وعن الصلاة فهل انتم منتهون

O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and games of chance are abominations of Shaitan; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed. Shaitan wants to provoke animosity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to distract you from remembering Allah, and from observing Salat. Will you then refrain?

— Quran, Surat al-Ma'ida 5:90-91

Hadith referencing ALCOHOL
Prohibition against drinking / consuming alcohol.

Narrated by Anas ibn Malik:
"I was serving wine to the people in the house of AbuTalhah when it was prohibited and that day our wine was made from unripe dates. A man entered upon us and said: 'The wine has been prohibited, and the herald of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) made an announcement.' We then said: 'This is the herald of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.).'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3665

Narrated Daylam al-Himyari:
"I asked the Prophet (s.a.s.) and said: 'Prophet of Allah! We live in a cold land in which we do heavy work and we make a liquor from wheat to get strength from it for our work and to stand the cold of our country.' He asked: 'Is it intoxicating?' I replied: 'Yes.' He said: 'You must avoid it.' I said: 'The people will not abandon it.' He said: 'If they do not abandon it, fight with them.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3675

Narrated AbuHurayrah:
"I knew that the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) used to keep fast. I waited for the day when he did not fast to present him the drink (nabidh) which I made in a pumpkin. I then brought it to him while it fermented. He said: 'Throw it to this wall, for this is a drink of the one who does not believe in Allah and the Last Day.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3707

Prohibition against drinking / consuming alcohol or other intoxicants in any quantity or strength.
Narrated by Ahmed bin al-Musnad:
"Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, a small amount of it is haram.”
— al-Musnad, 2/91, 167, 179; 3/343.

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:
"I heard the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) say: 'Every intoxicant is forbidden; if a faraq ('fraction') of anything causes intoxication, a handful of it is forbidden.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3679

Prohibition against khamr (alcohol) as medicine and recognition of it as a disease.
Narrated Tariq ibn Suwayd:
"Wa'il said: 'Tariq ibn Suwayd asked the Prophet about wine, but he forbade it. He again asked him, but he forbade him. He said to him: "Prophet of Allah, it is a medicine." The Prophet said: "No it is a disease."'"
— Abu Dawoud

Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet reports that he once said:
"Allah has not placed a cure for your diseases in things that He has forbidden for you.''
— Bukhari on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud.

Abu ad-Darda reported that the Prophet said:
"Allah has sent down both the malady and its remedy. For every disease He has created a cure. So seek medical treatment, but never with something the use of which Allah has prohibited.''
— Abu Dawoud; Sahih Bukhari

Prohibition against buying, selling, transporting, producing alcohol.
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar:
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) said: 'Allah has cursed wine, its drinker, its server, its seller, its buyer, its presser, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who conveys it, and the one to whom it is conveyed.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3666

Narrated Jabir ibn Abd Allah:
"The Messenger of Allah said, 'Verily, Allah and His Messenger have prohibited the sale of alcohol, dead animals, swine and idols.'"
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim

Defining word khamr to extend to all alcoholic beverages, beyond those produced by grapes.
Narrated An-Nu'man ibn Bashir:
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) said: 'From grapes wine is made, from dried dates wine is made, from honey wine is made, from wheat wine is made, from barley wine is made.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3668

Narrated An-Nu'man ibn Bashir:
"I heard the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) say: 'Wine is made from grape-syrup, raisins, dried dates, wheat, barley, millet, and I forbid you from every intoxicant.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3669

Narrated AbdurRahman ibn Ghanam:
"Malik ibn AbuMaryam said: 'AbdurRahman ibn Ghanam entered upon us and we discussed tila' and he said: "AbuMalik al-Ash'ari told me that he heard the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) say: 'Some of my people will assuredly drink wine calling it by another name.'"'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3680

Extending prohibition of khamr (alcoholic beverages) to all intoxicants.
Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin: "The Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) forbade every intoxicant and everything which produces languidness."
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3672

'Rewards' of those who die without repenting and abstaining from alcohol.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar:
"Allah's Messenger said: 'Every intoxicant is khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden. He who drinks wine in this world and dies while he is addicted to it, not having repented, will not be given a drink in the Hereafter.'"
— Muslim. #4963

Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas:
"The Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) said: 'Every intoxicant is khamr (wine) and every intoxicant is forbidden. If anyone drinks khamr, Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance. If he repeats it a fourth time, it is binding on Allah that He will give him tinat al-khabal to drink.'
"He was asked: 'What is tinat al-khabal, Apostle of Allah?'
He replied: 'Discharge of wounds, flowing from the inhabitants of Hell. If anyone serves it to a minor who does not distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful, it is binding on Allah that He will give him to drink the discharge of wounds, flowing from the inhabitants of Hell.'"
— Abu Dawoud. Book 26, Number 3672

Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar ; Abdullah ibn Amr:
"Allah's Messenger said, 'If anyone drinks khamr Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents Allah will forgive him. If he repeats the offence Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents Allah will forgive him. If he again repeats the offence Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents Allah will forgive him. If he repeats it a fourth time Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, and if he repents Allah will not forgive him, but will give him to drink of the river of the fluid flowing from the inhabitants of Hell.'"
— Al-Tirmidhi #3643. Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it on the authority of Abdullah ibn Amr]

Punishment / treatment for those who are intoxicated.
Narrated 'Uqba bin Al-Harith:
"When An-Nuaman or his son was brought in a state of drunkenness, Allah's Prophet ordered all those who were present in the house to beat him. I was one of those who beat him. We beat him with shoes and palm-leaf stalks."
— Bukhari. 3:509

Narrated Anas bin Malik:
"The Prophet beat a drunk with palm-leaf stalks and shoes. And Abu Bakr gave forty lashes."
— Bukhari 8:764

Narrated Abu Salama:
"Abu Huraira said, 'A man who drank wine was brought to the Prophet . The Prophet said, "Beat him!"' Abu Huraira added, 'So some of us beat him with our hands, and some with their shoes, and some with their garments (by twisting it) like a lash, and then when we finished, someone said to him, "May Allah disgrace you!" On that the Prophet said, "Do not say so, for you are helping Satan to overpower him."'"
— Bukhari 8:768

Hadith referencing VINEGAR
Narrated by Jaabir (r.a.) -
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) said: 'What a good food is vinegar.'"
— Muslim, 3/1623

Narrated by Anas ibn Malik (r.a.) -
"The Messenger of Allah (s.a.s.) was asked whether wine could be changed to be used as vinegar. He said, 'No.'"
— Muslim

Narrated by Abu Talhah (r.a.) -
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) was asked about some orphans who had inherited some wine. He said, 'Pour it away.' He was asked, 'Could they not make it into vinegar?' He said, 'No.'"
— Muslim

‘Umar (r.a.) said:
“There is nothing wrong with a man buying vinegar from the People of the Book [Christians, Jews], if they sell it, so long as he knows that they did not deliberately process it from wine. And Allah knows best."
— Bidaayat al-Mujtahid li Ibn Rushd, 1/461; Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’ li’l-Bahwati, 1/187; Fath al-Qadeer li Ibn al-Hammaam, 8/166; al-Majmoo’ li’l-Nawawi, 1/225; al-Mughni li Ibn Qudaamah, 8/319

ISLAMIC SCHOOLS of THOUGHT
ALCOHOL
There is no difference within the Four mathahib regarding the consumption of alcohol.

VINEGAR
When wine turns to vinegar by itself, without any deliberate treatment needed for it to be changed, it is permissible to eat, drink and handle it, according to the consensus of the scholars, because of the hadeeth quoted above (Jaabir). But if the wine has become vinegar because of deliberate treatment, by adding vinegar, onions, salt etc., or by any other process, then the majority view holds that it is impermissible (haram).

The Shafi'i, Hanbali and Maliki Schools of fiqh:
The Shafi’is, Hanbalis and some of the Maalikis say that it is not permissible to deliberately change wine to vinegar because then it is not pure, citing the hadith of Anas ibn Malik and of Abu Talhah referenced above.

"Wine that becomes vinegar without anything having been introduced into it is pure, as are the sides of the container it touched when it splashed or boiled. But if anything was introduced into the wine before it became vinegar, then turning to vinegar does not purify it."
— Reliance of the Traveler. e14.6

The Hanafi School of fiqh states:
In the Hanafi School, it is permitted to consume wine vinegar—whether it transformed by itself or through intervention.
— Shaykh al-Islam al-Marghinani, al-Hidaya

Imam Akmal al-Din al-Babarti explains in al-`Inaya, his commentary on al-Hidaya, that the texts that would seem to indicate the prohibition of wine vinegar are understood to be abrogated by later texts establishing permission. The wisdom behind the temporary prohibition was to reinforce the dislike of wine in the hearts of those morally responsible, as the hadith commentators explain.