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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Prophet Muhammad's Guidelines on How to Attend to One's Daily Chores

Islam is not only a religion but it also is a complete code of conduct of one's life. It not only tells its followers how to pray to Allah and ask forgiveness from Him alone for one's sins, but also tells the Muslims how to live a life and attend to their daily chores.

Thus beside conveying the Godly commands to the fellow Muslims, the life of Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) and His simple advices as to one has to attend to one's life individually and as a group so that peace and love oozes out all around and the world becomes a peaceful place to live. The Prophet not only advised to others to live a life in accordance with the instructions from Allah, but also lived a life a Himself which thus became a model for other Muslims to emulate and follow.

Herein under is a list of some Dos and Dont's the Prophet wanted Muslims to follow and adhere to. 

• Refrain from sleeping in between the dawn and after sunrise voluntary prayers, afternoon and sunset prayers and sunset and late night prayers.
• Don’t sleep too much - it causes forgetfulness.
• Don’t look at the sky while offering prayers.
• Don’t be proud of yourself for pride and vanity leads to the downfall of a man.
• Don’t boast of your knowledge or wealth and health - for Allah does not like those who are boastful.
• Don’t look behind frequently while walking.
• Don’t spit in the toilet.
• Don’t clean your teeth with charcoal.
• Don’t break tough things with your teeth.
• Don’t look for faults of others.
• Don’t speak in the toilet.
• Don’t chase the beggars.
• Don’t speak tales about your friends.
• Don’t antagonize your friends.
• Don’t be suspicious about your friends.
• Don’t stamp your feet while walking.
• Don’t break your knuckles.
• Don’t speak lies.
• Don’t decide on your own but do consult others who know.

Food is a blessing from Allah. Therefore one should be very thankful and be mindful of the following:

• Don’t be show distaste of food or dislike a particular food.
• Don’t smell the food while you eat.
• Don’t blow on your food when it’s hot - however you may fan it.
• Don’t eat and drink with your left hand.
• Don’t eat the food that is taken out from your teeth.
• Don’t eat in darkness.
• Don’t eat mouth-full.
• Don't eat to your full, leave one third of your hunger unsatisfied as a full stomach leads to many diseases and ills.

Here are some more guidelines for Muslims:

• Avoid traveling alone.
• Check your shoes before wearing it.
• Treat your guests well with good heart.
• Be patient when in poverty.
• Assist a good cause.
• Do good to those who do bad to you.
• Be satisfied with what you have.
• Speak clearly so others can understand.
• Think of your faults and repent - in fact repent at least 100 times a day so that you may be forgiven.

Each one of the above advises are points to ponder upon - the wisdom behind each would automatically be raveled. Some are even self explanatory as checking one's shoes before wearing for some deadly insect or even a scorpion may have slipped inside and may harm you when you put your foot inside.

We will talk of some of the above in detail and the philosophy behind such guidelines in posts to follow.

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