Is it permissible to become a vegetarian?

Answer

Although consuming meat is not compulsory, it is haraam to become a vegetarian for no valid health reason. Eating camel meat is not compulsory. However, when Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Salaam (Radhiyallahu anhu) who was among the Ulama of Bani Israaeel and others had embraced Islam, they sought to abstain from consuming camel meat because it was prohibited in the Tauraah. They laboured under the impression that since camel's meat was not compulsory, they could legitimately abstain from consuming it.

In castigation and rejection of this idea, the following Aayat was revealed: "O People of Imaan! Enter into Islam totally, and do not follow in the footsteps of shaitaan. Verily, he is your open enemy." (Al- Baqarah, Aayat 208)

The idea of abstaining from camel's meat on the basis of it not being compulsory, is a shaitaani deception according to this Aayat of the Qur'aan. Similarly, becoming a vegetarian in deference to some stupid kuffaar ideology whether it is Hinduism or the deception of being merciful to animals, displays a tendency of kufr which in terms of the Qur'aan Majeed is following in the footsteps of shaitaan.

This is precisely what the zig zag mufti Ebrahim Desai is involved in. His fatwas are now designed for appeasement. The Deen is no longer his objective. The modernists, liberals, zanaadaqah, and especially the bankers and financiers have to be appeased. Whereas a Mufti's prior concern should be strengthening the bond between the Muslim and Allah Ta'ala, this maajin mufti does the exact opposite.