More UK teenagers are choosing vegetarian or vegan diets, for health, animal welfare or the environment. Muslim parents sometimes worry this conflicts with Islam.
The Islamic view
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can a Muslim choose not to eat meat? | Yes; eating meat isn’t obligatory |
| Can they say meat is haram or wrong? | No: “Do not prohibit the good things Allah has made lawful for you” (Quran 5:87) |
| Qurbani at Eid al-Adha? | If eligible, they can still give it; the meat goes to others |
| Kindness to animals? | Islam strongly supports it |
Health checks
- Protein: beans, lentils, eggs and dairy (if vegetarian), tofu, nuts.
- Iron: lentils, spinach, fortified cereals.
- Vitamin B12: essential for vegans; usually needs a supplement or fortified foods.
- Calcium and vitamin D: especially for vegans.
Ask the GP or a dietitian for advice, especially for vegans.
Watch for
If the change comes with skipping meals, weight loss, or anxiety about food, it may be about eating rather than ethics. See eating problems.
Family meals
- Cook one shared vegetarian dish a few times a week.
- Let them help plan and cook.
Teacher’s tip: link their concern for animals to Islamic teaching on animal welfare. See kindness to animals. It shows their values fit within Islam.
General information, not medical advice.
