PORK Is Forbidden: But Why?

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PORK IS AS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO CHRISTIANS AND JEWS AS IT IS TO MUSLIMS.

Question: Dear scholars of Islam, asSalamu `alaykum! I would like to know why eating pork is prohibited in Islam, despite the fact that some people claim that pigs are very useful, especially when compared to the slow rate of energy conversion to flesh (7% only) Pork whereas the rate of pig’s conversion to flesh is 20%? I just want to know the wisdom behind the prohibition of pork in Islam. Jazakum Allah Khayran!

Name of Counselor IOL Shari`ah Researchers

Wa `alaykum AsSalamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother in Islam, thank you very much for having confidence in us and we implore Allah to guide us all to the best and to direct you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

As regards your question, we’d like to make it clear that every committed Muslim should accept Allah’s Commands willingly, even without realizing the wisdom behind the Divine rule in question. If man manages to realize the wisdom behind certain prohibited things, it is well and good. If his mind lacks comprehending that Divine Wisdom, then he should accept the truth as it is, keeping in mind that Allah Almighty is the Omniscient of that which is beneficial to His Creatures. When Allah Almighty prohibits something for His servants, He does so certainly out of His overflowing mercy on them, to save them from all what may bring them harm; He is indeed Ever Kind and Most Glorious!

As regards the reason why eating pork is prohibited, we’d like to cite for the words of Dr. Zakir Naik, the president of Islamic Research Foundation, Mumbai. He states the following:

“The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points explain various aspects of this prohibition:

1. Pork prohibited in the Qur’an:

The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places.

It’s prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115.

For instance, Allah says: “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked a name other than that of Allah.” (Al Ma’idah: 3)

The above verses of the Glorious Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden.

2. Pork prohibited in the Bible:

Addressing the Christian who is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures, the Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus: “…and the swine, as he divideth the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you.” (Leviticus chapter 11 verse 7 and 8)

Pork is also prohibited in the book of Deuteronomy: “And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.” (Deuteronomy chapter 14 verse 8)

A similar prohibition is repeated in the book of Isaiah chapter 65 verse 2,5.

3. Consumption of pork causes several diseases:

The other non Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason, logic and science.

Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of diseases.

A person can have various helminthes, like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which in a layman’s terminology is called tapeworm. It harbors in the intestine and is very long. Its ova, i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart attack and if it enters the eye it can cause blindness. If it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can

damage almost all the organs of the body.

Another dangerous helminthes is Taenia Trichuriasis. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project undertaken in America, it was found that out of twentyfour people suffering from Taenia tichurasis, twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ovas present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature.

4. Pork has fat building material:

Pork has very little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attack.

5. The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth:

The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, filth and dirt. In the villages they don’t have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta are cleared by pigs. Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbor’sexcreta ”.

Some questions answered for information

1.Using products of pig skin? NO

2.Muslim cooking pork for a non muslim family? No

3.Can a Muslim allow his Christian wife to eat pork or drink alcohol? NO

4.Eating food fried in Pork oil permissible? No

5.Selling pork to non Muslim permitted? No

6.Handling pork products permissible?No

7.Plates and glasses used for serving wine , alcohol and pork.Can be used after washing it thoroughly.

8.Wearing shoes,belts,wallets,handbags made of pig skin.No

9. Eating pork,is it a sin? Ofcourse, it is prohibited in Holy Quran.

10.Cosmetics made from pig fat? No

11.Can pork fat be used in producing car oil.I am not aware of this.I will appreciate if someone clarify on this to answer this question.

12.Can Muslim do business in pig products such as skin, shoes, belts etc. No

13.Can a Muslim give pig products as present.No

14.Can a Muslim wife cook pork for her non Muslim husband. This question does not arise. Please see(2/221)

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‘And guard yourselves against a day in which you shall be returned to Allah; then every soul shall be paid back in full what it has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly’ 2/281