There are so many myths and assumptions about veganism that are incorrect. Let us debunk those myths below!
Veganism is “Un-Islamic” and
Haram
This is by far the most common myth that pervades surface-level discussions on veganism and Islam. Yet, it is also the easiest to refute. Even scholars who do not understand the reasoning behind current-day veganism concede that the practice of veganism is permissible in Islam. Perhaps most surprisingly, even the scholars at Islam Q&A accept that practising veganism does not make one less of a Muslim.
Vegans try to make haram
what Allah made halal
There are strict conditions around the permission to raise and kill animals for consumption. These strict conditions are being violated today through unjust practices in the modern animal agriculture industry, thus rendering the products doubtful to consume, if not haram, as per Islamic law. Many argue it is not possible to ensure all animal products are halal with the level of consumer demand in today’s society, leading us to conclude that vegans are not making haram what Allah has made halal. Rather, the status quo of consumption and production is making halal what is haram!
We need animal products to
be healthy
There is a wealth of resources which affirm the healthfulness of a plant-based diet. An appropriately planned vegan diet is widely argued to offer many health benefits, as well as a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, many cancers, and obesity. Moreover, recent studies have also suggested that many animal-derived foods, such as red meat, can in fact be harmful to health and should therefore be reduced in the diet.
“Halal” meat is humane and
ethical
There are many instances in the halal industry where halal requirements are not being met, for example the need for multiple “slaughters” to kill the animal and the use of stunning methods that kill the animal before slaughter. As per Islamic law, these all render the meat haram. Moreover, much of “halal” meat nowadays is sourced from factory farming, which is far from ethical.
Muslims must slaughter an
animal on Eid-al-Adha
There are many misconceptions associated with the Eid sacrifice and as a result many animals are needlessly slaughtered during Eid, causing insurmountable waste. Dr Khaled Abou El Fadl explains: “While the zakat due in the udhiyah remains obligatory, the consumption and providing of meat is not. In other words, one may slaughter and donate meat; one may pay for the slaughter and donation of meat; or one may simply donate the amount of money due directly to needy families for the recipients to spend it as they deem fit.” Muslims are therefore not required to slaughter an animal on Eid-al-Adha, but they are required to pay the zakat.
Veganism does not bring
you closer to Allah
There are many ahadith that clearly contradict the claim about not drawing closer to Allah through abstention from killing animals (presumably to eat them). Clearly, even when animals are raised and slaughtered in Islamically-humane and halal ways, abstaining from such slaughter out of mercy is a morally praiseworthy act, and a Prophetically-approved means of getting closer to the mercy of Allah.