Is Horse Meat Halal? Know the Truth

There are many religions in the world. Each religion allows and forbids some things. Let’s talk about the religion Islam. There are many animals that Islam has permitted to eat and many animals that Islam has prohibited eating due to some reasons.

Since we are talking about animals, is horse meat halal? Is horse meat haram? Many Muslims are not aware of whether horse meat is halal or haram, which is why we will address this issue in this article. Along with horse meat, we will discuss horse milk.

Table Of Contents

Is the horse meat halal or haram in Islam?
Why can't Muslims eat a horse?
Is horse meat tasty?
Is horse meat healthy?
Why is horse meat bad for you?
Is horse milk halal?
What does horse milk taste like?
Horse meat : FAQ

Is the horse meat halal or haram in Islam?

While Christians don’t pay too much attention to whether the meat they are eating is permissible according to their religion or not, Muslims do spend a lot of attention on what Islam says.

Being a Muslim, you should clear your doubts regarding horse meat; after all, you don’t want to spread wrong thoughts.

Eating horse meat is not haram. Holy Prophet (P.BU.H) himself permitted Muslims to eat horses but forbade them from eating domestic donkeys.

According to the Quran, Muslims are forbidden to eat animals that died themselves, animals that hunt other animals, feed on meat, or have skin like snakes, pigs, etc.

Still, Muslims avoid eating horse meat. Why is that? There are some reasons for it, and we will address them in the next question.

Why can’t Muslims eat a horse?

This question is wrong because it sounds like eating a horse is haram when it is not.

It should be, why Muslims don’t eat a horse? Why don’t Muslims eat horse meat? The answer is simple. Muslims don’t eat the horse because the Quran has said that horses and donkeys are meant to carry you and serve you in Jihad.

It’s not mentioned that horses and donkeys are also meant for eating purposes. But still, this doesn’t make the horse haram.

Furthermore, during the great era of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), horse meat was eaten only during emergencies. Muslims at that time didn’t use to eat horse meat the way they used to eat goat and camel meats.

Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) himself has never eaten horse meat. Based on the things we mentioned, Muslims avoid horse meat.

Is horse meat tasty?

Wondering, “what does horse meat taste like?“

According to International Business Times, the horse’s meat is a little gamey, somewhat sweet, and a cross between venison and beef. The meat of older horses is dark red, whereas the meat of younger horses is a bit pinkish.

Because of the versatile nature of horse meat, it is popular in many cultures. In northern Italy, the horse’s meat is used for making a rich, hearty stew that goes by the name “Pastissada de caval.”

In Japan, the meat of the horse is sliced thin and eaten raw. In Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, horse meat plays a role in many dishes.

Is horse meat healthy?

If no harmful drugs or chemicals are injected into the meat of the horse, it is healthy. That said, the meat of the horse has high levels of protein, but the amount of iron and vitamin B in it is twice the amount present in beef.

Horse meat has less cholesterol level and significantly higher omega-3 fatty acid concentration. Potassium is very beneficial for bones’ growth, and the horse meat has about 10 mg per kilograms of potassium present in it.

Inflammation can cause rheumatic in joints, and horse meat contains such a steroid that can reduce rheumatic pain.

Why is horse meat bad for you?

Over the lifetime of horses, many drugs may be injected into them. If you eat the meat of one of those horses, it will badly affect you.

Horses receive antibiotics, diuretics, and dewormer medication, making their meat dangerous for humans to eat.

Be it ex-racehorses or other horses. There is a huge possibility that they received unsafe drugs at some part of their lives to increase performance for sports competitions and various working purposes.

Additionally, it is also uncertain which farm or country the horse’s meat came from? How did the owners treat their horses? Whether the meat of the horse has harmful chemicals in it or not? All these uncertainties make the horse meat dangerous; ultimately, bad for you.

If some reliable agency hasn’t approved the horse meat, it can be bad for you, but it is okay and has some health benefits if it is properly approved.

Is horse milk halal?

Yes, horse milk is halal. Horse milk is high in nutrition as it has an abundant amount of proteins, fats, and vitamins.

Although, just like horse meat, many Muslims don’t prefer it.

What does horse milk taste like?

Compared to cow’s milk, horse milk is thinner, and it feels like someone added a bit of water to the cow’s milk.

As far as taste goes, many people who have tried horse milk say it tastes sweet like almond milk.

Horse meat : FAQ

Q1. Is Horse Meat Halal In Turkey?

Horse meat is halal in Islam and halal in turkey, as it is a Muslim country. But Turkey hasn’t officially announced that horse meat is legal or illegal.

Many people sell horse meat in turkey, but many discourage it because of its sanctity because it is a very respected and helpful animal. Thus, horse meat is halal in Turkey but not eaten very often.

Q2. Can You Legally Eat Horse Meat?

Many countries have legalized the eating and selling of horse meat, but as in the United States, the commercial selling of horse meat is a heinous crime.

Also, the United States hasn’t made it illegal to eat horse meat but has banned its commercial sale since 2005.

In 2005, the food and safety inspection service in America found a place where people sold commercial horse meat; the company was banned, as the US made it illegal to sell horse meat at public restaurants.

Thus, you can legally eat horse meat in the US by yourself but can’t sell it commercially.

Q3. Why Is Horse Meat Haram?

It is often a misconception that horse meat is haram in Islam, but the truth is that Islam discourages people from eating horse meat because of its sanctity and precious use in the wars.

Around 1200 BC, a favorite Muslim Imam, Abu Hanifa, proposed that people avoid eating horse meat because it would harm the horse population and decrease.

So, after that, the Islamic School of Thoughts banned horse meat from being eaten, and there comes the misconception that horse meat is haram. Although horse meat is halal, Islam and Judaism both prohibit eating it.

Q4. Is It Haram To Drink Horse Milk?

Drinking milk from many animals is allowed in Islam, and it depends on the animals which a person is using to extract the milk.

The factor decides that is an animal’s milk is prohibited or not lies in the simple fact that:

As long as the animal is halal in Islam, the milk of its female is also halal. Horse meat is halal but discouraged, so its milk is also halal but is discouraged.

But there’s no clear prohibition of drinking horse milk, as it would not harm the horse or its population. But the final decision depends on the person’s will. Overall, horse milk is completely halal.

Final verdict

If we talk about the popularity of animals, horses are very popular around the globe. A horse is a beautiful animal and can serve humankind pretty well.

Around the world, horses are used for companionship, transportation, and sports. Besides this, they can also be used for food purposes.

As far as Muslims go, the question “is horse meat halal does come into their minds. There are two viewpoints regarding horse meat.

One group says it is halal, and the other considers it Makruh. Either way, the majority of Muslims tend to avoid eating horse meat.

One of the biggest reasons to avoid horse meat is the fact that it comes with uncertainties. There are bright chances that the horse meat you are about to eat belongs to the horse that received harmful drugs.

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