168- O MANKIND, EAT OUT OF WHAT IS ON EARTH, HALAL (LAWFUL) AND PURE, AND DO NOT FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN, FOR HE IS A CLEAR ENEMY TO YOU.

169- HE COMMANDS YOU TO DO WHAT IS EVIL AND SHAMEFUL, AND TO SAY ABOUT ALLAH WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW.

These two Ayahs are introduction for the Ayahs to follow.  It gives us a very important principle, which is that all food is lawful.  Only Allah the Highest forbids what is forbidden very clearly.  Prohibition is not done by indirect means, by reference; it is done by clear statement.

The occasion when Allah the Highest stated what is allowed, was when stating that the food of the people of the book is permitted for us.  Allah the Highest said: “THIS DAY, ALL THAT IS GOOD AND PURE IS MADE LAWFUL FOR YOU AND THE FOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK IS LAWFUL FOR YOU”.  (S: 5 A: 5)

Allah the Highest detailed the prohibitions; therefore, there is no room for further prohibition or speculation in this matter.  Allah the Highest said: “AND WHY DO YOU NOT EAT OUT OR WHAT ALLAH’S NAME HAS BEEN MENTIONED ON, WHEN ALLAH HAS DETAILED FOR YOU WHAT HE HAS FORBIDDEN EXCEPT WHAT YOU ARE COMPELLED TO (EAT OR DRINK)”.  (S: 6 A: 119)

Details of the prohibitions will come at the discussion of the relevant Ayah.

To forbid what Allah the Highest permitted is to go astray and follow the footsteps of Satan.  Only Allah the Highest prohibits the things created by Him.  Allah the Highest said: “HAVE LOST THOSE WHO SLAYED THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF FOLLY AND WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE AND FORBAD WHAT ALLAH HAS PROVIDED FOR THEM , INVENTING LIES ABOUT ALLAH, THEY HAVE GONE ASTRAY AND THEY ARE NOT GUIDED”.  (S: 6 A: 140)

Forbidding what Allah the Highest permitted is a transgression against Allah and Allah’s Authority. Allah the Highest said: “YOU, WHO BELIEVE, DO NOT FORBID THE GOOD THINGS ALLAH PERMITTED YOU AND DO NOT TRANSGRESS, FOR ALLAH DOES NOT LOVE THE TRANSGRESSORS”.  (S: 5 A: 89)

Obviously Allah the Highest considers forbidding what He permits to be a serious sin, for one is putting himself in the position of he who knows better, and gives himself authority like that of the creator.  We Muslims should never say about any thing forbidden, except if there is a very clear Ayah or Hadith to this effect.  Prohibitions are not made by gestures, reference or any indirect means.