Reviewed by: Ustadha Heba Zaki Ahmed
“A Man Becomes What He Eats”
Muslims dont eat pork because certain foods and drinks have been explicitly specified as forbidden by Allah in the Quran and by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his teachings. This prohibition is not arbitrary or without reason; rather, it reflects the wisdom and mercy of Allah, who always decrees what is in the best interest of humankind.
The command to avoid consuming pork is rooted in Islam’s holistic approach to health, purity, and spiritual well-being. By abstaining from what is deemed impure or harmful, Muslims safeguard their bodies and souls, aligning themselves with the divine guidance that promotes a clean and balanced life.
The dietary laws in Islam are not meant to impose hardship but are designed to protect believers from physical harm and spiritual corruption. As such, when Muslims dont eat pork, it is an act of obedience and trust in Allah’s wisdom, demonstrating their commitment to following a way of life that prioritizes both worldly and eternal well-being.
The prohibition of eating pork in Islam is relevant in this context. According to physicians and medical experts, pork is considered a harmful diet due to its adverse effects on physical, moral, and spiritual well-being. The consumption of swine flesh has been linked to the development of several harmful diseases, as pigs are known to carry parasites and toxins that can pose serious health risks to humans.
Beyond its physical harm, many believe that consuming pork negatively impacts one’s character, leading to a sense of lowliness and weakening moral and spiritual faculties. For Muslims, this understanding aligns with the wisdom of Islamic teachings, where avoiding pork is not only a religious obligation but also a means of protecting one’s overall health and spiritual purity.
The fact that Muslims dont eat pork reflects their commitment to leading a life that preserves their physical wellness while safeguarding their moral and spiritual integrity, following the divine guidance of Allah.
Pig Is One of the Filthiest Animals on Earth
Muslims dont eat pork: Take a look at the nature of the pig for example. The pig is naturally lazy and indulgent in sex, it is dirty, greedy and gluttonous. It dislikes sunlight and lacks the spirit and will to “fight.” It eats almost anything, even human excreta or anything foul and unwholesome. Amongst all animal flesh, pork is the favored cradle of harmful germs. Pork also serves as a carrier of diseases to mankind. It is for this reason that its flesh is not suitable for consumption.
In Australia, pigs are breed in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. So, No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbor excreta.
Pork Prohibited in Qur’an
The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. It is prohibited in [2:173], [5:3], [6:145] and [16:115]muslims dont eat pork
“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[…]” [Surat Al-Maidah 5:3]
The above verse of the Holy Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden as muslims dont eat pork.
The following is not part of the answer, just to advise the Christian brothers that pork is also prohibited in their religion.Muslims dont eat pork
Pork Prohibited in Bible
The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. Because The Bible 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]
Consumption of Pork Causes Several Diseases
Dr. Glen Shepherd wrote the following on the dangers of eating pork in Washington Post (31 May 1952).
- “One in six people in USA and Canada have germs in their muscles – trichinosis 8 from eating pork infected with trichina worms. So, Many infected people show no symptoms. Most of those, who do have, recovered slowly. Some die; some are reduced to permanent invalids. All were careless pork caters”.
- He continued “No one is immune from the disease and there is no cure. Neither antibiotics nor drugs or vaccines affect these tiny deadly worms. Preventing infection is the real answer.”
- Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of diseases.So, A person can have various helminthes like roundworm, pin-worm, hookworm, etc.
- One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which is in lay man’s terminology called tapeworm. It harbors in the intestine and is very long.Because Its ova i.e. 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 eye it can cause blindness. if it enters the liver it can cause liver damage.And It can damage almost all the organs of the body.Muslims dont eat pork
In Islam, the prohibition of pork is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims refrain from consuming pork because it is considered impure and harmful to physical and spiritual well-being. This practice reflects a commitment to living a life of obedience to Allah’s commands, promoting discipline and mindfulness in daily choices.
The dietary restriction is not just a rule but a reflection of the holistic approach Islam takes toward health, purity, and faith. As such, understanding why Muslims dont eat pork is essential to appreciating the values and principles that guide their lives.
The decision to avoid pork goes beyond personal preference—it represents an unwavering devotion to faith and adherence to Islamic law. For Muslims, avoiding pork fosters a deeper connection to their Creator while emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity in body and soul. In a world of diverse dietary habits, recognizing that Muslims dont eat pork offers greater cultural understanding and respect for religious practices. By honoring such teachings, Muslims find harmony in both their spiritual and physical lives, staying true to the principles of their religion.
In Quran:
Muslims follow the divine law which is much higher than the medical advice.So, The Glorious Qur’an says:
“So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah has provided for you, and thank the bounty of your Lord if it is Him you serve. He has forbidden for you only carrion and blood and swine-flesh and that which has been immolated in the name of any other than Allah; but he who is driven thereto, neither craving nor transgressing, Lo! then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”
(Surat An-Nahl 114-115)
