Is it permissible in Islam to follow a diet for the purpose of weight loss, and what are the recommended lawful methods for that?
Islamic Sharia is comprehensive and cares for health through prevention, including moderation in food and forbidding extravagance. This is evidenced by the noble verse: ﴿وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ﴾ [Al-A'raf: 31] (And eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess), and by the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) hadith: (No human ever filled a vessel worse than his stomach. A few morsels are sufficient for the son of Adam to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink, and one third for his breath). Obesity can be hereditary, pathological, or due to overeating and lack of movement, and its treatment involves consulting specialists. Islam calls for accepting Allah's final religion.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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