Muslims' abstention from pork eating is in adherence to the Quranic 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 Quran 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 mostavaricious, 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, recoververy 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 arecommon 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 consideredunclean, (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. Analleged apparition of Peter on Acts 10:11-16 is alleged
to supersede Deuteronomy 14:3-8, however, nowhere in the Bible is itmentioned 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 eferringexplicitly 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 the 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, mentallyand 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 toProphet 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 thateating of swine flesh or PORK IS SIN AND SICKNESS.
Therefore, wemust protect ourselves for it is a fact that health is a trust and best blessing bestowed
upon us by Allah.