Let's examine some of the reasons behind this prohibition and reflect on a popular saying : You are what we eat.

Pork prohibited in Qur'an

The Qur'an prohibits the consumption of pork in many verses including: 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115.

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah."                                   [Al-Qur'an 5:3]

The above verses of the Holy Qur'an are sufficient to satisfy Muslims as to why pork is forbidden.  Muslims reflect on the countless blessing and all the good food available to us, recognizing that pork prohibition, or any other prohibition is ultimately for our own good.

Pork prohibited in the Bible

The Bible also prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus:

"And the swine, though he divide 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 11:7-8]

Pork is also prohibited in the Bible 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 14:8]

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

Consumption of pork causes several diseases

Atheists may not consider the above Quranic verses, or Bible references as valid answer, rather require reason, logic and science to get this point across.

Eating pork can cause over 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 is commonly known as tapeworm. It harbors in the intestine and is very long. Its 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, if it enters the eyes, it can cause blindness, and if it enters the liver, it can cause liver damage. Simply put, it can damage almost all the organs of the body.

Another dangerous helminthes is Trichura Tichurasis. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project undertaken here in the United States, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from Trichura Tichurasis, twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ova present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature.

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. Well, we also know all about the weight problems here in this country!

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, feces and dirt. Often trash is collected and fed to pigs.  Can you imagine an animal that eats its own "poop".  This is the Pig!

Some may argue that in western region such as Europe and the United States, pigs are bred in clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in farms and barns. Because they are filthy by nature, it is very likely they will eat and enjoy their own feces as well as the feces from other pigs ...pigs eat their babies as well...they eat everything.

Pig is the most shameless animal

People who were raised in the country, or had a chance to visit farms, will identify well with this issue.  Nearly all farm animals by nature have a sense of unity, family ties, and protect one another from predators.  You will see small chickens spreading their wings to protect their baby chicks from much larger animals, even attacking the larger animals.  You will see male roasters or male goats chasing away all other males from coming near their family.  This is not the case with pigs, in fact, the very opposite is true.  The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate.  

We all hear the term "You are what you eat". Often wonder if eating pork is a factor in society ills such as wife swap, - more common than we think!  One does not have to go this far, but should reflect on common observation: simply question why is it that many men don't have a problem with their wives or girlfriends dressed in revealing outfits, especially at work parties or other social events?  If one gives a hint to a friend about the appearance of his wife in public and how this can potentially cause problems for them, he responds: “hey, she is a beautiful woman; nothing wrong with showing a little skin”, then justifies his remark by stating: “we trust each other”.

While this is not a lecture about high divorce rate and infidelity as the prime cause, our behavior and the possibility of the connection with eating pork is questioned!  Now, add alcohol to eating Pork!  Unfortunately the unthinkable is often possible.

May Allah guide all of us to the right path, and help us stay away from all that is forbidden and harmful. We welcome your thoughts and feedback .

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By MuslimBridges staff writers
Reference Material - Dr. Zakir Naik

This article is posted in the Weekly Bridge Publication: Features, Reflections, Stories should not be told, Film in a spoon, Book in a Spoon, Letters to Editor, YouTube Basket

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