What Does the Qur'an Prohibit?

The Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, serves as a comprehensive guide for Muslims, outlining not only religious practices but also ethical and moral conduct. One of the fundamental aspects of this guidance is the delineation of prohibitions, which aim to foster a just, ethical, and pious society. This blog explores various prohibitions detailed in the Qur'an, along with relevant references.

Ethical and Moral Prohibitions

1. **Killing Unjustly**

   The Qur'an strictly prohibits the unjust taking of life. This is underscored in Surah Al-Isra:

   > "And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law]" (Qur'an 17:33).

2. **Backbiting**

   Backbiting, or speaking ill of someone in their absence, is condemned as a vile act:

   > "O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful" (Qur'an 49:12).

3. **Ingratitude**

   The Qur'an encourages gratitude towards Allah and warns against being ungrateful:

   > "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe" (Qur'an 14:7).

4. **Miserliness and Hoarding**

   Being stingy and hoarding wealth are behaviors discouraged by the Qur'an:

   > "And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted" (Qur'an 3:180).

5. **Casting Spells**

   Engaging in magic or witchcraft is strictly prohibited:

   > "And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, 'We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic].' And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew" (Qur'an 2:102).

6. **Jealousy**

   The Qur'an advises against harboring jealousy towards others:

   > "Or do they envy people for what Allah has given them of His bounty? But We had already given the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom" (Qur'an 4:54).

7. **Whispering and Illusions**

   Engaging in whispers that lead to mischief or illusions is prohibited:

   > "Say, 'I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the Sovereign of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws, who whispers in the breasts of mankind, among jinn and among men'" (Qur'an 114:1-6).

Dietary Prohibitions

The Qur'an also specifies certain dietary prohibitions to ensure that Muslims consume what is pure and lawful:

1. **Carrion, Blood, and Flesh of Swine**

   > "Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a headlong fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience" (Qur'an 5:3).

2. **Animals Not Properly Slaughtered**

   Any animal not slaughtered in the name of Allah is prohibited:

   > "Eat not of (meat) on which Allah’s name has not been pronounced: That would be impiety. But the devils ever inspire their friends to contend with you; if ye were to obey them, ye would indeed be Pagans" (Qur'an 6:121).

3. **Clarification on Dietary Necessity**

   The Qur'an allows for exceptions in cases of necessity:

   > "Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything forbidden to eat except carrion, running blood, swine—which is impure—or a sinful offering in the name of any other than Allah. But if someone is compelled by necessity—neither driven by desire nor exceeding immediate need—then surely your Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (Qur'an 6:145).

4. **Intoxicants and Gambling**

   While not directly related to food, the Qur'an also forbids intoxicants and gambling, emphasizing their harmful effects:

   > "O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?" (Qur'an 5:90-91).

Conclusion

The Qur'an's prohibitions are designed to cultivate a righteous and morally sound community. These guidelines cover a wide range of behaviors, from ethical conduct to dietary restrictions, all aimed at maintaining a balance between personal piety and social harmony. By adhering to these divine injunctions, Muslims strive to live a life pleasing to Allah and beneficial to their fellow beings.