Question:

What is the Islamic view regarding vegetarianism and vegans? In today’s world where the production of animal products causes climate change, makes for a less sustainable future and increases pain and suffering in the world, wouldn’t Allah want us to be vegetarians until we can find a more sustainable way to produce animal products, such as meat, which doesn’t cause environmental damage and unneccessary suffering?

Answer:

Becoming a vegeterian or vegan is not recommended in Islam. In fact, it is narrated that if you couldn’t afford to buy meat for 40 days, you should borrow money for it.

Claims such as ‘suffering due to meat consumption’ and the like need to be scientifically and independently reviewed, to make sure they are not being propagated by vegeterians.

Sheikh Mansour Leghaei