What does « Fat / Tallow » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Fat / Tallow (شحم) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

شحم

Fat / Tallow

Root: ش - ح - م

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Fat / Tallow

The Almighty says: 'We forbade them their fat, except what is carried on their backs' (Al-An'am 146).

Fat is forbidden in some laws, except what is attached to the back or mixed with bones.

Ash-shahm: the fat from animals' bellies.

Fat / Tallow in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Al-An'am : 146 Meccan

﴿وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا كُلَّ ذِى ظُفُرٍ وَمِنَ ٱلْبَقَرِ وَٱلْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَآ إِلَّا مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَآ أَوِ ٱلْحَوَايَآ أَوْ مَا ٱخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَٰهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ وَإِنَّا لَصَٰدِقُونَ﴾

And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their injustice. And indeed, We are truthful.