Raah e HidayathThe Path of Guidance

Halal or Haram

Food, additives, medicine, money and daily life — with the reason and the evidence

  • 132

    Halal

  • 55

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

  • 47

    Haram

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234 results.

  • Zabiha beef, lamb, goat, camel

    Halal

    Meat & poultry

    Slaughtered by a Muslim (or a Jew/Christian) with the name of Allah, throat cut, blood drained.

    Qur'an 5:3–5

  • Pork, bacon, ham, lard

    Haram

    Meat & poultry

    Swine flesh is explicitly forbidden in every form, including fat and derivatives.

    Also on labels as: lard, bacon fat, pork gelatine

    Qur'an 2:173, 5:3

  • Non-zabiha / machine-slaughtered chicken

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Meat & poultry

    Depends on whether the name of Allah was pronounced and the bird was alive at slaughter. Verify the certifier.

    Qur'an 6:121

  • Dead animal (carrion), roadkill

    Haram

    Meat & poultry

    An animal that died without valid slaughter is maytah.

    Qur'an 5:3

  • Blood, blood sausage, black pudding

    Haram

    Meat & poultry

    Flowing blood is forbidden.

    Qur'an 6:145

  • Domestic donkey and mule

    Haram

    Meat & poultry

    Prohibited on the day of Khaybar.

    Bukhari 4199, Muslim 1936

  • Predators with fangs (lion, dog, cat), birds of prey

    Haram

    Meat & poultry

    Fanged beasts and taloned birds are forbidden.

    Muslim 1932–1934

  • Horse meat

    Halal

    Meat & poultry

    Permitted by the majority (Hanafis consider it disliked).

    Bukhari 5520

  • Rabbit

    Halal

    Meat & poultry

    The Prophet ﷺ was given rabbit meat and it was accepted.

    Bukhari 5535

  • Kosher meat

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Meat & poultry

    Slaughter of the People of the Book is permitted in principle, but stunning and the missing tasmiyah make many scholars require caution.

    Qur'an 5:5

  • All fish with scales

    Halal

    Seafood

    Sea game and its food are made lawful for you.

    Qur'an 5:96

  • Prawn, shrimp

    Halal

    Seafood

    Halal by the majority; some Hanafis restrict sea food to fish only.

  • Crab, lobster, octopus, squid

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Seafood

    Halal for Maliki/Shafi'i/Hanbali schools, not for the Hanafi school. Follow your madhhab.

  • Frog

    Haram

    Seafood

    Killing frogs was forbidden, so eating them is not allowed.

    Abu Dawud 3871

  • E120 Carmine / cochineal

    Haram

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Red colour made from crushed insects; impermissible for the majority.

    Also on labels as: carminic acid, natural red 4

  • E441 Gelatine

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Halal only when made from fish or zabiha beef. Most commercial gelatine is porcine.

    Also on labels as: gelatin, gelatine

  • E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Halal if plant-derived, haram if from pork fat or non-zabiha tallow.

  • E472 a–f Esters of fatty acids

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Same source problem as E471 — confirm the fat is vegetable.

  • E422 Glycerol / glycerine

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Vegetable glycerine is halal; animal glycerine may be from pork.

    Also on labels as: glycerin

  • E631 Disodium inosinate

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Often produced from sardines (halal) but sometimes from pork.

  • E904 Shellac

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Resin secreted by the lac insect; scholars differ, widely avoided.

  • E920 L-cysteine

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Dough conditioner sometimes derived from human hair or duck feathers; synthetic is halal.

  • E100 Curcumin, E160a carotene, E300 vitamin C

    Halal

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Plant or synthetic origin.

  • E153 Carbon black (vegetable carbon)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Halal from plants, doubtful when made from bone char.

  • Animal rennet in cheese

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Ingredients

    Halal when from a zabiha calf or microbial; doubtful otherwise. Look for microbial/vegetarian rennet.

  • Whey / whey powder

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Ingredients

    Depends on the rennet used to make the cheese it came from.

  • Vanilla extract

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Ingredients

    Standard extract is 35% ethanol. Many scholars permit the trace amount left in baked food; alcohol-free extract removes the doubt.

  • Soy lecithin (E322)

    Halal

    Ingredients

    Plant-derived emulsifier.

  • Tallow, animal shortening

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Ingredients

    Beef tallow is halal only from zabiha animals; often mixed with pork fat.

  • Unspecified 'enzymes'

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Ingredients

    Could be microbial (halal) or animal (verify).

  • Honey

    Halal

    Ingredients

    Explicitly praised as a healing for people.

    Qur'an 16:69

  • Vinegar (including wine vinegar)

    Halal

    Ingredients

    Once wine fully turns to vinegar it is no longer intoxicating; the Prophet ﷺ praised vinegar.

    Muslim 2051

  • Wine, beer, spirits, any intoxicant

    Haram

    Drinks

    Every intoxicant is khamr and every khamr is haram — even a small amount.

    Qur'an 5:90, Muslim 2003

  • 0.0% 'non-alcoholic' beer

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Drinks

    Halal if truly free of intoxicant and not imitating drinking culture; many brands still carry up to 0.5% alcohol.

  • Kombucha

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Drinks

    Fermentation can push alcohol above trace levels — check the batch.

  • Energy drinks with taurine

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Drinks

    Synthetic taurine is halal; animal-sourced taurine is not. Most major brands use synthetic.

  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks

    Halal

    Drinks

    No intoxicant and no forbidden ingredient.

  • Marshmallows, gummy sweets

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Sweets & snacks

    Almost always contain gelatine — only halal-certified or fish/beef gelatine versions are safe.

  • Chocolate with liqueur filling

    Haram

    Sweets & snacks

    Contains added alcohol as an intoxicant.

  • Flavoured crisps / chips

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Sweets & snacks

    Flavourings may use pork enzymes, non-zabiha chicken fat or E631.

  • Ice cream

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Sweets & snacks

    Check for gelatine, E471 and alcohol-based flavours.

  • Gelatine capsules in medicine

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Medicine & cosmetics

    Ask for a halal-certified or vegetarian capsule; if no alternative exists, necessity (darura) permits it.

    Qur'an 2:173

  • Porcine insulin / porcine heparin

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Medicine & cosmetics

    Forbidden in principle, permitted under medical necessity when no alternative exists.

  • Vaccines

    Halal

    Medicine & cosmetics

    Major fatwa councils permit vaccination; any porcine trace is transformed and covered by necessity.

  • Alcohol hand sanitiser and perfume

    Halal

    Medicine & cosmetics

    Isopropyl/ethanol used externally is not the drinking khamr and is permitted by the majority for cleaning and scent.

  • Collagen supplements

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Medicine & cosmetics

    Usually bovine or porcine; marine collagen is safe.

  • Lipstick and cosmetics with carmine/tallow

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Medicine & cosmetics

    Check for carmine (E120), tallow and pork-derived stearic acid.

  • Interest (riba) on loans and savings

    Haram

    Money & work

    Allah has permitted trade and forbidden interest.

    Qur'an 2:275

  • Conventional interest mortgage

    Haram

    Money & work

    Interest-based debt; use ijara/murabaha home finance instead.

  • Murabaha / ijara / musharaka finance

    Halal

    Money & work

    Profit comes from a real asset and shared risk, not from lending money.

  • Conventional insurance

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Money & work

    Contains gharar and riba for many scholars; takaful is the agreed alternative. Compulsory cover is excused.

  • Gambling, lottery, betting apps

    Haram

    Money & work

    Maysir is named alongside khamr as filth of Satan's handiwork.

    Qur'an 5:90

  • Cryptocurrency trading

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Money & work

    Scholars differ; leveraged and speculative trading is closer to maysir. Avoid margin and interest-bearing staking.

  • Shares in a halal business

    Halal

    Money & work

    Permitted when the company's core activity and debt ratios pass shariah screening.

  • Bribery, cheating in trade

    Haram

    Money & work

    Curse of Allah is upon the one who bribes and the one bribed.

    Abu Dawud 3580

  • Working in a job selling alcohol or pork

    Haram

    Money & work

    Assisting in what is forbidden is itself forbidden.

    Muslim 1598

  • Instrumental music

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Daily life

    Majority hold instruments impermissible; a minority permit music free of sin. Vocal nasheed and the daff are agreed upon.

  • Silk and gold for men

    Haram

    Daily life

    Forbidden for the men of this ummah, permitted for the women.

    Tirmidhi 1720

  • Permanent tattoos

    Haram

    Daily life

    The one who tattoos and the one tattooed are cursed.

    Bukhari 5937

  • Smoking and vaping

    Haram

    Daily life

    Proven self-harm; contemporary councils rule it forbidden.

    Qur'an 2:195

  • Photography of living beings

    Halal

    Daily life

    Contemporary majority permit photographs for need and identification; three-dimensional idols remain forbidden.

  • Keeping a dog

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Daily life

    Permitted for guarding, farming and hunting; keeping one purely as a house pet reduces reward.

    Bukhari 5480

  • Chess and video games

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Daily life

    Permitted when free of gambling, images of shirk and neglect of salah; disliked or forbidden when they cause either.

  • Free mixing and khalwa

    Haram

    Daily life

    Being alone with a non-mahram is forbidden.

    Bukhari 5233

  • Backbiting (gheebah)

    Haram

    Daily life

    Compared in the Qur'an to eating the flesh of your dead brother.

    Qur'an 49:12

  • Organ donation

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Daily life

    Permitted by most contemporary councils to save a life, with conditions; a minority prohibit it.

  • Dates (khajoor)

    Halal

    Fruits

    The beloved Sunnah fruit; the Prophet ﷺ broke his fast with dates.

    Bukhari 1957

  • Fig (anjeer)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Allah swears by the fig in the Qur'an.

    Qur'an 95:1

  • Olive (zaitoon)

    Halal

    Fruits

    A blessed tree praised in the Qur'an.

    Qur'an 24:35

  • Pomegranate (anaar)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Named among the fruits of Paradise.

    Qur'an 55:68

  • Grapes (angoor)

    Halal

    Fruits

    A fruit Allah caused to grow for mankind.

    Qur'an 80:28

  • Banana (kela)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Mentioned among the blessings of Paradise (talh mandud).

    Qur'an 56:29

  • Apple (seb)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Mango (aam)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Orange, tangerine (santra)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Watermelon (tarbooz)

    Halal

    Fruits

    The Prophet ﷺ ate watermelon with fresh dates.

    Abu Dawud 3835

  • Melon (kharbooza)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Pineapple (ananas)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Papaya (papeeta)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Guava (amrood)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Pear (nashpati)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Peach (aaru)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Plum (aaloo bukhara)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Apricot (khobani)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Cherry

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Strawberry

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Blueberry, raspberry, blackberry

    Halal

    Fruits

    All berries are pure and halal.

  • Kiwi fruit

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Coconut (nariyal)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Lemon, lime (leemu)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Lychee

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Jackfruit (kathal)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Durian

    Halal

    Fruits

    Strong smell but pure and halal.

  • Persimmon (japani phal)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Mulberry (shahtoot)

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Avocado

    Halal

    Fruits

    Pure fruit — halal and wholesome.

  • Quince (safarjal)

    Halal

    Fruits

    The Prophet ﷺ praised quince for strengthening the heart.

    Ibn Majah 3453

  • Onion (pyaaz)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Halal; going to the masjid with its smell on the breath is disliked.

    Bukhari 5452

  • Garlic (lehsan)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Halal; the Prophet ﷺ disliked only its smell before meeting people.

    Muslim 564

  • Ginger (adrak)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure and halal; Paradise's drink is flavoured with ginger.

    Qur'an 76:17

  • Tomato (tamatar)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Potato (aaloo)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Carrot (gajar)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Spinach (paalak)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Cabbage (band gobhi)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Cauliflower (phool gobhi)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Broccoli

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Peas (matar)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Beans (sem, lobia)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Lentils (daal)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure legume — halal; a staple of the Prophets' simple food.

  • Chickpeas (chana)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure legume — halal.

  • Okra (bhindi)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Eggplant (baingan)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Cucumber (kheera)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    The Prophet ﷺ ate cucumber with fresh dates.

    Muslim 2044

  • Pumpkin (kaddu)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    The Prophet ﷺ loved pumpkin and ate it with bread.

    Tirmidhi 1849

  • Radish (mooli)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Turnip (shaljam)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Beetroot (chuqandar)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Bell pepper, chili (shimla mirch)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Corn, maize (makai)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure grain — halal.

  • Zucchini, courgette (tori)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure vegetable — halal.

  • Mushroom (khumbi)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Truffle and mushroom were described as a cure for the eyes.

    Muslim 2049

  • Wheat (gehun)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure grain — halal.

  • Rice (chawal)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure grain — halal.

  • Barley (jau)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    A Sunnah grain; the Prophet's household often ate barley bread.

    Bukhari 5416

  • Oats (jae)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure grain — halal.

  • Millet (bajra)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure grain — halal.

  • Quinoa

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure seed — halal.

  • Almonds (badam)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure nut — halal.

  • Walnuts (akhrot)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure nut — halal.

  • Pistachios (pista)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure nut — halal.

  • Cashews (kaju)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure nut — halal.

  • Peanuts (moong phali)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure nut — halal.

  • Sesame seeds (til)

    Halal

    Vegetables & grains

    Pure seed — halal.

  • Milk (doodh)

    Halal

    Dairy & eggs

    Pure milk is named among the rivers of Paradise.

    Qur'an 47:15

  • Butter (makkhan)

    Halal

    Dairy & eggs

    Halal when made from pure milk without doubtful additives.

  • Ghee (desi ghee)

    Halal

    Dairy & eggs

    Clarified butter from halal milk is pure.

  • Yogurt (dahi)

    Halal

    Dairy & eggs

    Halal; check fruit flavours for gelatine and cochineal.

  • Cheese (paneer, processed cheese)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Dairy & eggs

    Halal with microbial or vegetarian rennet; verify animal rennet.

    Also on labels as: rennet

  • Cream (malai)

    Halal

    Dairy & eggs

    Halal from pure milk.

  • Chicken eggs (ande)

    Halal

    Dairy & eggs

    Eggs of halal birds are halal.

  • Duck and quail eggs

    Halal

    Dairy & eggs

    Eggs of halal birds are halal.

  • Kefir

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Dairy & eggs

    Fermented milk; trace alcohol can rise — check the brand.

  • Chicken (murghi)

    Halal

    Birds

    Halal with valid zabiha slaughter.

  • Duck (batakh)

    Halal

    Birds

    A grain-eating bird; halal with slaughter.

  • Turkey

    Halal

    Birds

    Halal with slaughter.

  • Quail (batair)

    Halal

    Birds

    Sent as food to Bani Isra'il with the mann.

    Qur'an 2:57

  • Pigeon, dove (kabootar)

    Halal

    Birds

    A grain-eating bird; halal with slaughter.

  • Sparrow (chidiya)

    Halal

    Birds

    Small grain-eating bird; permitted by the majority with slaughter.

  • Partridge, pheasant (teetar)

    Halal

    Birds

    Game birds; halal with slaughter or hunting by a trained animal.

    Qur'an 5:4

  • Goose, swan

    Halal

    Birds

    Water birds that eat grain; halal with slaughter.

  • Ostrich (shutar murgh)

    Halal

    Birds

    Not a bird of prey; halal by the majority with slaughter.

  • Peacock (mor)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Birds

    Permitted by the majority as it is not taloned; some scholars avoid it.

  • Parrot (tota)

    Halal

    Birds

    Eats grain and fruit, has no talons; permitted by the majority.

  • Eagle, hawk, falcon (uqaab, baaz)

    Haram

    Birds

    Every bird with talons is forbidden.

    Muslim 1934

  • Owl (ulloo)

    Haram

    Birds

    A taloned night hunter — forbidden.

    Muslim 1934

  • Vulture, condor (gidh)

    Haram

    Birds

    Feeds on carrion and hunts with talons — forbidden.

  • Crow (kauwa)

    Haram

    Birds

    Named among the five harmful creatures that may be killed — not eaten.

    Bukhari 3315

  • Bat (chamgadar)

    Haram

    Birds

    A fanged night creature — forbidden by the majority.

  • Heron, stork, crane

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Birds

    Wading birds with spear-like beaks; scholars differ — follow your madhhab.

  • Cow, ox (gaaye)

    Halal

    Land animals

    Halal with valid slaughter.

  • Goat (bakri)

    Halal

    Land animals

    Halal with valid slaughter.

  • Sheep, lamb (bher)

    Halal

    Land animals

    Halal with valid slaughter.

  • Buffalo (bhains)

    Halal

    Land animals

    Halal with valid slaughter.

  • Camel (oont)

    Halal

    Land animals

    Explicitly permitted; wudu is renewed after eating it.

    Muslim 360

  • Deer, gazelle, antelope (hiran)

    Halal

    Land animals

    Pure game animals — halal.

    Qur'an 5:96

  • Zebra, wild onager

    Halal

    Land animals

    The Companions ate wild donkey (onager) with the Prophet's approval.

    Bukhari 4218

  • Giraffe (ziraafa)

    Halal

    Land animals

    A grazing animal without fangs; permitted by the majority.

  • Elephant (haathi)

    Haram

    Land animals

    Counted among fanged beasts — forbidden by the majority.

  • Lion, tiger, leopard, wolf (sher)

    Haram

    Land animals

    Every beast of prey with fangs is forbidden.

    Muslim 1932

  • Fox (loomri)

    Haram

    Land animals

    A fanged predator — forbidden.

  • Bear (bhalu)

    Haram

    Land animals

    A fanged predator — forbidden.

  • Monkey, ape (bandar)

    Haram

    Land animals

    Forbidden by the majority; its meat is repulsive (khabeeth).

    Qur'an 7:157

  • Rat, mouse (chooha)

    Haram

    Land animals

    Among the harmful fawasiq — forbidden.

    Bukhari 3315

  • Snake (saanp)

    Haram

    Land animals

    Harmful and commanded to be killed — not eaten.

    Bukhari 3297

  • Scorpion (bichoo)

    Haram

    Land animals

    Among the harmful creatures — forbidden.

  • Crocodile, alligator (magarmach)

    Haram

    Land animals

    A fanged predator — forbidden.

  • Hyena (lakkar bagga)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Land animals

    Eaten by some Arabs and permitted by Hanbalis; avoided by Hanafis.

  • Squirrel (gulahri)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Land animals

    Scholars differ; many Hanafis permit it as a grazing animal.

  • Dhabb lizard (goh)

    Halal

    Land animals

    Eaten by the Arabs; the Prophet ﷺ did not eat it but did not forbid it.

    Bukhari 5391

  • Tortoise, turtle (kachwa)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Land animals

    Amphibious creature; forbidden for Hanafis, permitted by some others.

  • Hedgehog (sahi)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Land animals

    Scholars differ; avoided by the majority.

  • Keeping animals kindly

    Halal

    Land animals

    Mercy to animals is worship; cruelty to a cat earned a woman Hell.

    Bukhari 2365

  • Locust (tiddi)

    Halal

    Insects & small creatures

    Explicitly permitted: 'Two dead things are halal for us: fish and locusts.'

    Ibn Majah 3218

  • Honey bee (shehad ki makhi)

    Halal

    Insects & small creatures

    Not eaten, but its honey is a cure; killing it without cause is disliked.

    Qur'an 16:69

  • Ant (chionti)

    Haram

    Insects & small creatures

    Not food; a Prophet was rebuked for burning an ant colony — do not harm without cause.

    Bukhari 3319

  • Housefly (makkhi)

    Haram

    Insects & small creatures

    Not eaten; if it falls in a drink, dip it in — one wing carries the cure.

    Bukhari 3320

  • Cockroach (tilchatta)

    Haram

    Insects & small creatures

    Filthy (khabeeth) — not eaten.

  • Spider (makri)

    Haram

    Insects & small creatures

    Not eaten; killing it is permitted when harmful.

  • Mosquito (machhar)

    Haram

    Insects & small creatures

    Not food; Allah cites it as a sign of His power.

    Qur'an 2:26

  • Butterfly, moth (titli)

    Haram

    Insects & small creatures

    Not food; leave it be — insects are not lawful game.

  • Worms, beetles, maggots (keere)

    Haram

    Insects & small creatures

    Filthy and harmful — forbidden as food.

  • Snail (ghongha)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Insects & small creatures

    Forbidden for Hanafis; some Maliki scholars permit land snails.

  • Silkworm (resham ka keera)

    Halal

    Insects & small creatures

    Its silk is halal for women; the worm itself is not food.

  • Salmon, tuna, cod, sardine, mackerel

    Halal

    Seafood

    All scaled fish are halal.

  • Trout, haddock, herring, anchovy

    Halal

    Seafood

    All scaled fish are halal.

  • Catfish (singhara)

    Halal

    Seafood

    Halal by the majority as a true fish.

  • Eel (baam machhli)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Seafood

    Halal for most schools; some Hanafis avoid snake-like sea creatures.

  • Shark

    Halal

    Seafood

    Counted as a fish by the majority — halal.

  • Whale

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Seafood

    Scholars differ whether sea mammals count as 'game of the sea'; avoid by caution.

    Qur'an 5:96

  • Dolphin

    Haram

    Seafood

    A sea mammal, not a fish; forbidden by the majority.

  • Seal, walrus

    Haram

    Seafood

    Sea predators with fangs — forbidden by the majority.

  • Mussels, oysters, clams, scallops

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Seafood

    Halal for Maliki/Shafi'i, not Hanafi — same ruling as crab.

  • Jellyfish

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Seafood

    Not a fish; avoided by the majority.

  • Caviar (fish eggs)

    Halal

    Seafood

    Eggs of halal fish are halal.

  • Sea urchin, starfish, sea cucumber

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Seafood

    Not fish; scholars differ — follow your madhhab.

  • Oreo biscuits (India / EU / UK packs)

    Halal

    Sweets & snacks

    Indian, UK and EU Oreos are vegetarian: no animal fat, no pork gelatine, no alcohol. Check the pack sold in your country.

    Also on labels as: Oreo cream biscuit

  • Oreo variants with cream cheese / marshmallow filling

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Sweets & snacks

    Limited-edition fillings can contain pork gelatine or animal-derived rennet. Read the label each time.

  • Beef burger from a certified halal outlet

    Halal

    Meat & poultry

    Patty from zabiha meat, cooked on a pork-free grill, no bacon or alcohol-based sauce.

  • Burger from a non-halal chain (beef/chicken)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Meat & poultry

    The meat is usually not zabiha and the same grill handles bacon. Ask for certification before eating.

  • Bacon burger, pepperoni burger, pork sausage patty

    Haram

    Meat & poultry

    Contains pork in the patty or topping — forbidden outright.

  • McDonald's India chicken & veg items

    Halal

    Meat & poultry

    McDonald's India sources halal-certified chicken and serves no pork; separate veg and non-veg lines.

  • KFC India fried chicken

    Halal

    Meat & poultry

    KFC India uses halal-certified chicken suppliers. Outside India, verify locally.

  • Domino's / Pizza Hut cheese pizza (India)

    Halal

    Sweets & snacks

    Indian outlets use microbial-rennet cheese and halal chicken toppings; avoid pepperoni and salami.

  • Pepperoni / salami / ham pizza

    Haram

    Meat & poultry

    Pepperoni, salami and ham are pork products.

  • Shawarma, kebab roll, biryani from a halal kitchen

    Halal

    Meat & poultry

    Halal when the meat is zabiha and no alcohol or pork enters the sauce.

  • Cadbury Dairy Milk (India)

    Halal

    Sweets & snacks

    Indian Dairy Milk is vegetarian — milk solids and cocoa, no gelatine or alcohol flavouring.

  • Nestlé KitKat (India)

    Halal

    Sweets & snacks

    Indian KitKat is vegetarian; some export versions differ, so check the wrapper.

  • Snickers, Mars, Bounty, Twix

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Sweets & snacks

    Chocolate is fine, but whey and emulsifiers can be animal-derived and some batches use alcohol-based flavour carriers. Prefer certified packs.

  • Ferrero Rocher, Nutella

    Halal

    Sweets & snacks

    Plant oils, cocoa, milk and hazelnut — no animal fat or alcohol in the standard recipe.

  • Liqueur-filled or rum-truffle chocolates

    Haram

    Sweets & snacks

    Contains actual liquor as filling.

    Qur'an 5:90

  • Haribo / gummy bears / marshmallows (standard)

    Haram

    Sweets & snacks

    Standard gummies and marshmallows use pork gelatine. Only halal- or beef-gelatine-certified versions are permitted.

    Also on labels as: gelatine, E441

  • Halal-certified gummies (beef or pectin based)

    Halal

    Sweets & snacks

    Pectin, starch or zabiha beef gelatine — clearly certified on the pack.

  • Lay's, Kurkure, Bingo, Pringles (veg flavours, India)

    Halal

    Sweets & snacks

    Potato, oil and spices; Indian packs are marked vegetarian with a green dot.

  • Bacon, ham or 'meat-flavour' chips

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Sweets & snacks

    Flavouring may come from real pork or non-zabiha meat extract; avoid unless certified.

  • Maggi noodles, Yippee, Top Ramen (veg masala)

    Halal

    Ingredients

    Wheat, palm oil and vegetarian masala; chicken variants need halal certification.

  • Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Thums Up

    Halal

    Drinks

    Carbonated water, sugar and flavouring — no intoxicant.

    Also on labels as: soft drink

  • Amul, Kwality Wall's, Baskin-Robbins (veg-marked)

    Halal

    Dairy & eggs

    Green-dot vegetarian ice creams use no gelatine or animal fat; avoid rum-raisin and liqueur flavours.

  • Protein bars, whey protein powders

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Ingredients

    Whey may use animal rennet and collagen may be porcine; buy halal-certified sports nutrition.

  • Cheese with unspecified rennet (pizza, burgers, sandwiches)

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Dairy & eggs

    Halal if rennet is microbial, plant or from zabiha calf; doubtful when unlabelled.

  • Sushi and East-Asian dishes with mirin, sake or rice wine

    Haram

    Ingredients

    These are alcoholic cooking wines added to the finished dish.

    Qur'an 5:90

  • Kimchi, fish sauce, oyster sauce

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Ingredients

    Fish sauce is halal; oyster sauce follows the shellfish disagreement, and some blends add rice wine.

  • Worcestershire sauce, some soy sauces

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Ingredients

    Traditionally brewed with alcohol or anchovy in vinegar; choose naturally brewed alcohol-free versions.

  • Shellac / confectioner's glaze on candies and pills

    Doubtful (mushbooh)

    Food additives (E-numbers)

    Insect resin — permitted by many, avoided by the cautious.

    Also on labels as: E904

Rulings follow the majority position of the four Sunni schools. Where the schools differ this is stated in the card. "Doubtful" means the ruling depends on the source of the ingredient — check the certification or ask your local scholar before deciding.