Are Mushrooms Halal? What You Need To Know

Are mushrooms halal? Mushrooms have become increasingly popular in recent years as a versatile and nutritious ingredient in many dishes. But for those who follow a halal diet, the question of whether mushrooms are halal or not is an important one.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the halal status of mushrooms, discussing the various factors that determine whether they are permissible for consumption according to Islamic law.

Are Mushrooms Halal?

Yes, mushrooms are halal. First, it’s important to understand that according to Islamic law, all plants and vegetables are considered halal, unless there is evidence to the contrary. This means that mushrooms, which are a type of fungus, are generally considered halal.

It’s important to note that not all mushrooms are halal. There are some mushrooms that are considered haram, or prohibited for consumption according to Islamic law. These include mushrooms that are poisonous or otherwise harmful to consume.

The basic principle with regard to food and drink is that it is permissible, except for what is proven in the text that it is forbidden, such as dead meat, blood, wine, pork, and anything that contains harm.

Based on the above: There is nothing wrong with eating healthy and beneficial types of mushrooms, as is the case with everything that is permissible to eat.

As for poisonous or harmful species, it is not permissible to eat them.

Things containing any considerably harmful ingredients are haram, because the basic principle with regard to harmful substances is that they are prohibited, and they are not included in the rule that in principle everything is permissible.

Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and do not throw yourselves into destruction”

Surah al-Baqarah 2:195

“And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you”

Surah an-Nisa’ 4:29

It was narrated from Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri (may Allah have mercy on him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.”

• You may also like: Are Sabritones Halal?

The mufassir Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen ash-Shanqeeti (may Allah have mercy on him) discussed this issue and said:

If it is purely harmful with no benefit at all, then it is haraam, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.”

If it is beneficial in some ways and harmful in others, then one of three scenarios must apply:

Either the benefit outweighs the harm or the converse is true or the benefit and harm are equal.

If the harm outweighs the benefit or is equal to it, then it is not allowed, because of the hadith, “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm,” and because warding off harm takes precedence over achieving interests.

If the benefit outweighs the harm, then the most correct view is that it is permissible, because it is a well-established principle that greater benefits take precedence over lesser harms

End quote from Adwa’ al-Bayaan (7/793-794)

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, may God have mercy on him, said:

One of the principles of Sharia law is that it is not permissible for a person to eat anything that is harmful to his body, because Sharia came to protect the bodies.

So it is not permissible for a person to take anything that harms his body at all, even if he agrees and says: I am satisfied with the harm.