Why Islam prohibits eating of pork - Eminent Muslim scholar explains

No religion is objected to, rejected or even mocked than Islam. Every other day, objections air on the social media against Islam, specially its various laws curtailing and prohibiting what a man should eat or not to eat. Pork is one such flesh of the animal which is strongly prohibited, and this prohibition is always strongly reacted to non Muslims.  

And the interesting thing is that it is the majority of followers of Bible who object to this stringent law of Islam and are amazed as to why such a palatable flesh of pigs and swine is prohibited in Islam. Such objections normally arise when one is not even aware of the Book of Faith being followed by them. Or perhaps it is because of the selective reading of the book  that follow that results into such objections and amazement.  

One of the objection raised is that if God has created an animal, how could He be so "cruel" to deprive the man of eating of its flesh, which is so palatable and tasty. One thing everyone fails to understand is that when the Lord of the Worlds commands His servants to abstain from something, one does not have to reason why, there shouldn't be any hesitation on the part of the servants to object to it, but obey it absolutely. And to surprise of many followers of Bible, it may be mentioned here that the prohibition of pork is one of the clearest shared laws between the Qur’an and the Bible..

Let us compare the prohibition law of eating pork as mentioned in the Qur'an and Bible:

Law prohibiting eating pork in the Qur'an

Pork is explicitly and repeatedly forbidden in four places:

• Surah al-Baqarah (2:173): “He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.”
• Surah al-Mā’idah (5:3): “Forbidden to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah…”
• Surah al-Anʿām (6:145): “Say, I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure…”
• Surah al-Naḥl (16:115): “He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah…”

Qur’anic Rationale: Islam views food laws as acts of obedience, not mere health codes: obeying Allah even when we don’t know the full reason is part of Taqwā (God-consciousness). The Qur’an calls pork “rijs” (impure, filthy) — 6:145, which means pork represents both physical impurity (harmful to health) and moral/spiritual impurity (obedience to Allah’s command).

Law prohibiting eating pork in Bible

The followers of Bible shouldn't be surpised the similarity of Divine Commandments about prohibition of pork both in the Qur'an and the Bible. Herein under are some references from Bible prohibiting pork:

• Leviticus 11:7–8 (Old Testament / Torah): “And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.”
• Deuteronomy 14:8: “The pig is also unclean; although it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses.”

These are clear Divine Commandments not to eat pork - then be amazed if Muslims also adheres to similar commandments in the Qur'an?

Jewish Understanding:  Even Jews do not eat pork for observant Jews still follow this prohibition under kashrut (dietary law). It’s seen as a test of obedience and purity — not only health-related but spiritual.

Thus, Islam reaffirms this earlier divine command, continuing the same message given to the prophets before Muhammad ﷺ. It shows the continuity of divine law: Islam did not invent the prohibition but restored it.

Wisdoms (Hikmah) Behind the Prohibition

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah has made lawful what is good and pure and forbidden what is impure.” (Muslim 1015) - While the primary reason is obedience to Allah, scholars and modern research note possible wisdoms:

• Health: Pork carries parasites (trichinosis, tapeworms) and diseases.
• Hygiene: Pigs are scavengers that eat filth and dead matter.
• Moral discipline: Avoiding what Allah forbids trains the soul in self-control and obedience.

The key lesson: True purity lies in obeying Allah’s command, whether we fully grasp all the worldly reasons or not.

We now share an incredible explanation of the Divine Commandment by one of the most eminent scholars of present times, Dr Zakir A Naik who explained a 15 years old Christian boy the why of pork prohibition in Islam, giving him related reference and making him understand the reason why. Please watch the video:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Earlier Publication: Prohibition of Pork (in Islam)

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

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Prohibition of Pork

Prohibition of pork or pig / swine's flesh in Islam is taken as something strange by the non Muslims as they find it no harm to eat it in abundance without ever knowing its prohibition not by Islam alone but all other religions who received prophets and messengers with heavenly scriptures. Now that is a different thing that following religion in its true letter and spirit is dwindling due to liberal view of life and setting aside commandments of the Allah Almighty, God to other religions.

As a Muslim, I know foe sure it has been forbidden by Allah for Muslims to consume pork in any measure as it is strictly forbidden.

[So] O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to God if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.  He has only forbidden to you the flesh of swine, dead animals, blood, and that which has been dedicated to other than God.  But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him.  Indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful. Surah Al Baqarah 2:172 - 173

And isn't this commandment enough to desist from eating pork? Remember when Allah forbade Adam (and Eve) not to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree. And when they did, how the wrath and anger of Allah befell on them and they were expelled from the Heavens. So going by the same logic, if Allah forbids eating of pork, it should be taken in the same spirit and desisted from under any circumstances.

Although the swine or the pig is from the goat family with divided hoof, it is the only animal which has been forbidden to eat by the Muslims. But is it only Quran that carries such commandment from Allah or other heavenly scriptures like Torah and Bible too have commandments from Allah as regard prohibition of pork? I had to look around and came across references from Torah and Bible to this effect, substantiating the similar commandment from Allah in the Holy Quran: 

"And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you." Leviticus 11:7-8

"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 14:8

“Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you.” [Leviticus 11:7-8] 

In Bible, an incident has been quoted wherein Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him) sent demeans or evil spirits to a herd of pigs - this rises no doubt as an unclean and detestable animal was chosen for evil spirits.

Here this incident is quoted in Matthews 8:28-34:

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Now a question arises why Allah has forbidden pork specifically and we know that no Heavenly Commandment can be without any reason. Allah has given his knowledge and wisdom to find the why of this prohibition. I looked around on the INTERNET to find out the reason why and here is a gist of my findings:

• Pigs are known to be unclean and "unethical animals.' For they show cannibalistic behaviors by eating carrion, their own dead carcasses as well as consuming food scraps, insects and their own fecal matter. Pigs are even known to kill and eat their own young.
• 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.
• The pigs lack sweet glands that allow flushing out the poison in the blood stream. Thus these poisons get enriched into pork and thus harms human health.
• Pigs harbor large concentrations of viruses and parasites because of their scavenger lifestyle. These pathogenic organisms create dangerous health complications. Pigs are the primary hosts or carriers of viruses and parasites like Menangle virus, Hepatitis E virus (HEV), Nipah virus, Taenia solium tapeworm and PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) which are known to cause gastrointestinal stress leading to fever and possibly a fatal infection
• Pork is also held responsible for the onset of damamagiong and dangerous diseases like Hepatitis E, , Liver Cancer and Cirrhosis Multiple Sclerosis and Yersinia

There is so much material available that gives an insight into the harmful effects of pork. The Holy commandment from Allah has not been a mere warning - the wisdom and research in science has given the answer. It is for us to know that Allah does not forbid man of any of its gifts. While Allah's commandment is enough for the believers to desist from eating pork, science gives answers for those with weak conviction and faith.

Listen to a learned Islamic scholar on prohibition of pork:

Read more from these References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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