ETHICS OF ISLAM Like other cultures, there are codes of behaviour that permit and prohibit certain actions and attitudes with the purpose of preserving sanctity and cultural values.

H ALAL ( PERMITTED ) Wealth : Muslims view poverty as the work of the devil. Wealth should be earned honestly and through hard work. Abortion : It is acceptable with the first 4 months of pregnancy. Birth Control : It is acceptable with the understanding that marriage was designed to produce children. Divorce : It is allowed within the laws of Shariah. However, divorce is looked down on by Allah. Inter-religious Marriages : It is permitted or men only. Capital Punishment : “An eye for an eye”. Do not take a life except in the course of justice. Unjust murders Adultery by males of females, and Actions which defame Islam and threaten its life

H ARAM (P ROHIBITED ) Slavery Lust : This is consistent with adultery and illicit sexual acts. “We should lower our gaze in the presence of the opposite sex”. Perverted sexual acts : Includes homosexuality as well as unnatural heterosexual activity and genital expression. Immodest attire for women : Women are to draw their veil over their bosom and not display their bosom, except to God and their husbands. Statues in homes : The worship of idols is forbidden. Suicide : this is as serious as murder. Pork : Swine is the lowest of all animals. This also includes animals that are improperly slaughtered in the name of others and not Allah. Alcohol/Gambling : “They are the gates to sin and hinder on the remembrance of God”.

M USLIM F OOD L AWS “You are forbidden blood and the flesh of swine; also any flesh dedicated to any other than God. You are forbidden the flesh of strangled animals and of those beaten or gored to death; of those killed by a fall or mangled by beasts of prey (unless you make it clean by giving the death- stroke yourselves); also of animals sacrificed to idols.” Qur’an (Sura 5:3)

M USLIM F OOD L AWS Pork is forbidden. This means not only pork, bacon and ham, but also any product containing pig fat (lard). Meat must be slaughtered according to the halal tradition. To be halal, an animal which is to be eaten must be killed in a special way so that all the blood is removed. When the animal is being slaughtered, the butcher says Bismillah (in the name of Allah) to show that the food is provided by Allah to feed humanity.

M USLIM F OOD L AWS The animal’s throat is cut with a very sharp knife so that it becomes unconscious from loss of blood. If an animal is killed without following the above rules, anything from it is haram. This includes its fat, and because animal fat can be used in a whole range of products, these may also be forbidden. Food cooked in the fat of a haram animal also becomes haram.

M USLIM F OOD L AWS “Of the beasts you have, some are for carrying burdens and others for slaughter. Eat of that which God has given you and do not walk in Satan’s footsteps.” Qur’an (sura 6:142) Restrictions are placed on which animals may be eaten. Camel and horse may not be eaten, while chicken and beef are allowed.

M USLIM F OOD L AWS “Lawful to you is what you catch from the sea and the sustenance it provides; a wholesome food, for you and for the seafarer. But you are forbidden the game of the land while you are on pilgrimage.” Qur’an (sura 5:96) Unlike the Jewish law, Muslims face no restrictions on seafood. They may eat fish, oysters, lobsters, clams, mussels, etc.