Muslim and interested in going Vegitarian

[nunyab 0]

I think the title says it all.... I just saw a show on dirty jobs about the cows we eat... then even if it is Halal doesn't mean it is the safest thing to eat. Have been considering taking meat out of my diet for a while and now i have nothing else to do reading more... not sure if that's possible with a MENA husband?? and then is there anything in the Qu'ran about eating meat??? couldn't find anything

[S and S 12]

I think the only thing in the Quran that may refer to meat at all is it says you should eat what is authorized and good for you. That could be construed as meat. I love meat too much to give it up as long as it is safe. Don't think my husband could ever give it up either.

[nunyab 0]

That's what I saw too S and S

[S and S 12]

In case anyone else wants to see the verse, here it is:

002.172

YUSUFALI: 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.

That is the only one I can think of that may relate though if someone else has something to add I would be happy to see it too.

[nunyab 0]

thanks

[S and S 12]

thanks

I figured you knew it but I thought in case others wanted to see it

[nunyab 0]

Always love to see Qu'ran on a public forum hehehehe S and S I believe you and I keep the same schedules here on VJ

[S and S 12]

Always love to see Qu'ran on a public forum hehehehe S and S I believe you and I keep the same schedules here on VJ

lol, yeah and I do love to be daring

[ksa2usa 0]

If your personal choice is to not eat meat, say because you don't like it, or there is no halal meat avaliable to you, then you are allowed to refrain. The verse doesn't mean to eat EVERYTHING provided for us, just FROM those things provided for us (meaning stay away from the bad things).

As long as you don't view eating meat as haram..for example, maybe you are big on animal rights and you think that slaughtering animals is wrong in the way the Prophet (PBUH) showed us...that would be sinful. But just choosing to not eat meat because you don't like it is not haram.

Please see this advice from islamqa.com, a very reliable and respectable site

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/2521/vegetarian

[Imua 0]

Good luck if this is what you decide - there are so many things to be said for at least reducing the meat in your diet especially beef, not only from humane concerns but also environmental and health issues. Going veg requires more effort but there are so many yummy things you can eat including MENA foods like couscous, felafel, babaganoush, etc. I suggest gradually reducing the days per week you eat meat, that is easier than going 'cold turkey'. Also maybe cut out beef but continue eating lamb, chicken, fish, do that for a few weeks and then cut out chicken, and so on - that is what I did.

Also read 'Diet for a Small Planet' by Frances Moore Lappe - it was written over 30 years ago but is still the best book on the environmental impact of meat eating and how to combine plant proteins.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Pattu Rani

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I'm an ethical omnivore, meaning I only eat meat that was raised and slaughtered humanely. That greatly limits the meat I consume. We tried to go completely vegetarian earlier this year, but the husband had serious withdrawal issues, so now I approach meat as a side dish - a big plate full o rice, noodles, fruits, veggies, legumes, etc, and a small piece of meat on the side.

The only time where you will have to be involved in the slaughter of animals is Eid al Adhu. Although it's "only" a sunna (at least for the shafi'is), it is pretty much a given that a muslim family will slaughter an animal (or have one slaughtered on their behalf) and the meat distributed to the poor.

As for what the Qur'an says:

16:5 And He creates cattle: you derive warmth from them, and [various other] uses; and from them you obtain food;

Allah (swt) has created us as omnivores - creatures that benefit from both meat and vegetation. If you chose not to partake in the meat, then that's your choice. It's fiqh neutral. So long as you're not doing it because you think not eating meat is superior religiously to eating meat, it's fine.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Also read 'Diet for a Small Planet' by Frances Moore Lappe - it was written over 30 years ago but is still the best book on the environmental impact of meat eating and how to combine plant proteins.

More recent books that are also good to read include Michael Pollen's The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food. They've both had a profound effect on my diet. I've greatly reduced my meat consumption, and the only processed food in my house is Kraft Mac n Cheese (gotta have one vice).

[Imua 0]

Also read 'Diet for a Small Planet' by Frances Moore Lappe - it was written over 30 years ago but is still the best book on the environmental impact of meat eating and how to combine plant proteins.

More recent books that are also good to read include Michael Pollen's The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food. They've both had a profound effect on my diet. I've greatly reduced my meat consumption, and the only processed food in my house is Kraft Mac n Cheese (gotta have one vice).

LOL - I love it too, though Annie's is organic and maybe a little better for you. I haven't seen the Mild Mexican flavor lately, I wonder if it's still being made?? That one's my favorite.

Thanks for the book recommendations - will order them through interlibrary loan.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Pattu Rani

[sereia 0]

A vegetarian Moroccan man? HAHA ! Good luck!

[star_dragon 0]

Rajaa, it seems that becoming a vegetarian can be possible (from the religious perceptions I'm reading here) as a choice for YOU, but you'll have to consider that you'll still be cooking meat for your hubby. So I guess it depends on your reasons for choosing not to eat meat anymore