Introduction
There is a widespread misconception that Muslims obtains
from eating pork because pig is sacred and is worshipped as God
in Islam. It is inconceivable that there are people whose
mentality could go down to such a dismal low as to entertain or
fabricate repulsive idea such as this. No intelligent, refined and
self-respecting person would ever imagine himself deifying pig,
an animal which lives on offal and pigsty. This pernicious
misconception is the product either of the malicious intent to
malign Islam and the Muslims in general; abysmal
ignorance;whimsical intent; or utter disregard or violation of
the Biblical prohibition. Muslims’ abstention from pork eating is
in adherence to the Qur’anic Law which states:
” Forbidden to you for (food) are: dead meat,
blood and the flesh of the swine and that
which hath been invoked the name other than
Allah. ”
Holy Qur’an 5:4
Such prohibition is also found in the Bible:
” The pig also because it is a splitter of the
hoof but there is no cud. It is unclean for
you. None of their flesh must you eat and carcass
you must not touch. ”
Deuteronomy 14:8 ( Bible)
Islam ( an Arabic word which means submission to the will
of the Almighty God) has laid down the foundation for the best
approach in keeping good health. In the Holy Qur’an (The Last
Testament ) God exhorts the believers to select the best food and
to stay away from any harmful food to maintain good health:
” Let him find out which is the best food
( to be had ) … Eat of the best foods We
have provided for you . ”
( Holy Qur’an 18:19;7:160 )
The main purpose of a True Religion must be to build an ideal
community in this world ; a religion that promotes moral,
political and economic well;social harmony and peace, as well as
good health of its believers or followers.
Health means the physical and mental well-being and freedom
from diseases and pain.There are several passages in the Bible,
articulating that because of sin ( a transgression of the law of
God) God afflicted human beings with maladies (Ps.103:3;Exodus
15:26 and Psalms 107:16-20).Islamic instructions and teachings
espousing health consciousness have scriptural and scientific
support
MEDICAL ASPECT OF THE PROHIBITION
Abstention from eating pork is a measure to safeguard
health.Of all the domestic animals, pig is the most
avaricious, eating anything including human excreta. It is the
cradle of harmful germs and parasites. Its meat is carrier of
diseases to man, thus making it unfit for human consumption.
CHARACTER OF PIG
All types of animals are lawful to be eaten whether those
living on land or in the water except those animals specifically
forbidden in the Holy Writings revealed by the Almighty Creator
and the sayings of the Prophet with clear and well defined
injunctions.
Pig belong to the forbidden animals, and not allowed to be
eaten by the believers. Pig eats almost anything dirty and they
are very lazy animals. It is the most avaricious of all domestic
animals. Amongst all animals, pig is the cradle of harmful germs.
It’s meat serves as carrier of diseases to mankind. It is this
very reason that made it unfit for human consumption consumption.
DISEASES CAUSED BY PORK
The following lists show germs or parasites that are found
in pork and some diseases caused by them. Many of these
diseases are contagious while some are proven fatal.This proves
that the more science advances the more Islam is shown correct
as a religion of God.
PARASITIC DISEASES
a) TRICHINELLA SPIRATIS ( Trichina worms )
It is the most dangerous parasite to man ( Rheumatism and
muscular pain). The infected persons shown no symptoms, recover
very slowly some die, some reduced to permanent invalids. No one
is immune from this disease and there is no cure.
b) TAENIA SOLIUM ( Pork tape worm )
The worm causes malnourishment of the person leading
to anemia, diarrhea, extreme depression melancholia and
digestive disturbances. Cysticercosis means that larva enter
the blood stream then settle down in one or more of the vital
organs of the body, for example: brain, liver, lungs or spinal
cord. They grow and encapsulate, inducing pressure to the
system around, resulting in dangerous diseases (diarrhea,
digestive disorder, anemia, chronic invalidation).
c) ROUND WORMS
Examples: Ascaris, which may lead to digestive
disturbances, appendicitis, obstructive jaundice.
d) HOOK WORMS
Examples:Ancylostomiasis, which may lead to
anemia, oedema, heart failure or retarded
growth ( mental and physical), tuberculosis,
diarrhea and typhoid.
e) SCHITOSOMA JAPONICUM
Bleeding, anemia and other syndromes. If ova
are settled in the brain or spinal cord, paralysis
and death may occur.
f) PARAGOMINES WESTERMAINI
Infestation leading to bleeding of the lungs
( endenve haemoptysis)
g) PACIOLEPSIS BUSKI
Digestive disturbances leading to persistent
diarrhea; generalized oedema.
h) CLONORCHIS SINENSIS
chlonorchiasis-obstructive jaundice, liver enlargement.
i) METASTRONGYLUS APRI
Causes bronchitis, abscess of the lungs.
j) GIGANTHORINCHUS GIGAS
Cause anemia and digestive disorders.
k) BALATITIDIUM COLI
Causes acute dysentery and general weakness.
BACTERIAL DISEASES
1. Tuberculosis
2. Fusiformis necrofurus: causing foot-rot which is very
difficult to heal.
3. Salmonella Cholera suis: causing cholera
4. Paratyphoid
5. Bruceellosis: Acute, sub acute and chronic. It may lead
to permanent disabilities.
6. Swine Erysipelas: causing Erypelas in man.
Viral Diseases
1. Small pox: is was a source of infection to man.
2. Japanese B-encepphalitis: It is the source of infection
3. Influenza, foot mouth disease, gas tro-enteritis of the
new born babies.
Protozoal Diseases : Toxo plasma goundii- It is a very
dangerous diseases.A new born baby of an infected woman may die
within few days or weeks after delivery. But if he survives
he may develop blindness or deafness.In adult chronic exhaustive
fever with enlarged liver and spleen may occur. Pneumonia, or
celebro- spinal meninggitis which may lead to death or madness.
The patient may become blind and deaf too.
Fats In Pigs:
Pork contains more fats than other meats.
Therefore, people who are fond of pork are more obese than
others. Cholesterol is higher in their blood thus making them
more prone to asthereosclerosis cardiovascular accidents and
sudden death.
Other Diseases :
Flesh of the pork is hard to digest and may
lead to chronic digestive disturbances. Pimples, boils, cysts are
common in pork eaters. These are some of the parasites and
diseases found in pork and/ or the skin of pigs and certainly
there are many more. There is still no means of killing these
parasites, in the tissues, neither has anyone found a method of
expelling them, even produced any specific treatment for the
diseases.
BIBLICAL ASPECT OF THE PROHIBITION
Old Testament
The Jews and the different christian sects and denominations
believe in the Old Testament. Adherents of other religions
alleged that the prohibition was already superseded by the New
Testament.This cogent argumentation is inconclusive. No one can
specifically point out that Jesus Christ (PBUH) lifted the
prohibition. On the contrary, he upheld it he declared:
” Think not that I have come to abolish the law
and the prophets: I have come not to abolish
them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17 RSV)
Jesus Christ (PBUH) was obviously referring to the existing
Law of his time , the Mosaic Law !- in which the Law prohibiting
pig as article of food is mentioned. ( Leviticus 11:7-11)
” As for any beast that is a splitter of the hoof
but is not a former of the cleft and not a chewer
of the cud, they are unclean for you. Everyone
touching them will be unclean. ”
Leviticus 11:26
In addition, the book of Prophet Isaiah said:
” Who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret
places who eats swine’s flesh and broth of
abominable things is in their vessels;… These
are a smoke in my nostrils,a fire that burns
all the day. ” ( Isaiah 65:4,5b RSV)
The New Testament
Despite the Biblical injunction prohibiting pork as food,
still people of other religious persuations insist on finding
ways and reasons to justify their consumption of prohibited
animals arguing that said Biblical prohibition was already
superseded in the New Testament when in certainly, no one can
specifically point out that Jesus Christ (PBUH) indeed lifted the
prohibition. On the contrary, Jesus (PBUH) declared:
” Think not that I have come to abolish the law
and the prophets. I have come not to abolish but
to fulfill them. ” ( Matthew 5:17 )
The fact is, we will find in Mark 5:1-20 that Jesus (PBUH)
even permitted the foul spirits (evil spirits) possessing a man
to enter into the herb of swine. Since the flesh of pig is
unlawful for the Jews, to eat and since it is considered
unclean, (Leviticus 11:7-8) consequently, the Jews are not to keep
or raise them. This Biblical account states that Jesus (PBUH)
punished the owners of the swine;destroyed their unlawful
livelihood and at the same time showed that pig is the habitat of
unclean spirits.
The only provision in the New Testament alluded to their
argument is in Act 10:10-16. Without reading the whole
context, one would be inclined to interpret it to mean that God
abrogated His previous command found on Deuteronomy 14:3-8. An
alleged apparition of Peter on Acts 10:11-16 is alleged to
supersede Deuteronomy 14:3-8, however, nowhere in the Bible is it
mentioned that Peter actually slaughtered and ate the unclean
animals he saw in his apparition. The correct interpretation of
this apparition was shown to him in Acts 10:25-28. Acts 10:11-16
therefore, carries an allegorical connotation,r eferring
explicitly to the Gentile nations or non-Jewish nations. Peter
was told not to call the Gentiles common and unclean because
God’s mercy, blessing and forgiveness also encompasses the Non
Jews and life eternal also awaits the penitent.
In the Bible, Jesus(PBUH) likened to a dog and pig those
people whom after receiving divine teaching failed to profit from
them and abuses them for self-serving purposes:
” Do not give holy to dogs- they will only turn and
attack you. Do not throw your pearls in front of
pigs-they will only trample them underfoot. ”
( Matthew 7:6 NEB)
The New Heavens And The New Earth
The book of Isaiah 66:1-24, is an oracle of the new
heavens and the new earth prepared for the believers. Within
the context, God condemns people’s practices such as eating the
flesh of pigs, reptiles, and rats.
” Those who sanctify and purify themselves
to go into the gardens, following one in
the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the
abomination and mice, shall come to an
end together says the LORD. ”
(Isaiah 67:17 RSV)
Therefore, the prohibition on the eating of unclean
animals was not abrogated during t he New Testament times.God
will still punish the transgressors in the fire that will never
quench. This will occur during the new heavens and the new earth.
MUSLIMS FOLLOW THE DIVINE LAW
Last Testament’s Verdict On Prohibition Of Pork
Islam means” submission to the will and command of God ”
and a person who embraced this religion is called ” Muslim ”
which means ” one who accepts and submits himself to the will of
God.A Muslim is obliged to be clean both spiritually, mentally
and physically. Abstention from eating flesh of swine is one of
the obligation a Muslim must observe to attain purity of the
soul and of the human nature. The believers in Islam, sincerely
believe in the Holy Qur’an as the Word of God, revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which says:
” Allah has forbidden you only what dies of itself
and blood and the flesh of swine and that over
which any other name than that of Allah has been
invoked; but whoever is driven to (it), not
desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely
Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. ” ( 16:115 )
We should bear in our mind that the abstention from eating
pork by the Muslims is based on hygienic grounds and of the
cultivation of purity of character. Pork is not poisonous as to
kill people right on the spot but latent. It will destroys
slowly. It is certainly not as nourishing as any other meat and
it causes prolonged sufferings. Pondering on the wisdom of this
saying: “Health is wealth ” will lead you to better living and
prosperity. The last Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
” There are two blessing which many people lose:
health and the free time for doing good …The
stronger believer (in health) is more blessed
and more beloved to Allah than the weak
believer. ”
Conclusion
From what we have read from the Scriptures of the
christians, scientific findings, Last Testaments (The Holy Qur’an)
and the saying of the Last Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about health
and the flesh of the swine, we now come now to the conclusion that
eating of swine flesh or PORK IS SIN AND SICKNESS. Therefore, we
must protect ourselves for it is a fact that health is a trust
and best blessing bestowed upon us by Allah.
