Why does Islam forbid
pork and dog, when the pig and dog are one of the creations of ALLAH?
Praise be to ALLAH.
Let me explain
first on a few aspects why pig is haram in Islam.
ALLAH has forbidden eating pork in definitive terms. ALLAH says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): I find not in that which has been revealed to me
anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maytah
(a dead animal) or blood poured forth (by slaughtering or the like), or the
flesh of swine (pork); for that surely, is impure or impious (unlawful) meat
(of an animal) which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than ALLAH (or
has been slaughtered for idols, or on which ALLAH’s Name has not been mentioned
while slaughtering)”
[al-An’aam 6:145]
By the mercy of ALLAH and His kindness towards us, ALLAH has permitted
us to eat all good things, and He has not forbidden anything but those that are
impure. ALLAH says (interpretation of the meaning):
“…he allows them as lawful At‑Tayyibaat (i.e. all good and lawful as
regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as
unlawful Al‑Khabaa’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds,
beliefs, persons and foods)”
[al-A’raaf 7:157]
We do not doubt for an instant that the pig is a dirty and filthy
animal, and that eating it is harmful to man. Moreover it lives on dirt and
filth, and it is something that is off-putting to those of a sound nature who
refuse to touch it, because eating it is either a cause or a sign of a person’s
oddness.
With regard to the physical harm caused by eating pork, modern science
has proved a number of things, such as the following:
Pork is regarded as one of the kinds of
meat that contain the most cholesterol, an increase of which in the bloodstream
leads to an increased likelihood of blocked arteries. The fatty acids in pork
are also of an unusual formation, when compared with the fatty acids in other
types of food, which makes them more easily absorbed by the body, thus
increasing cholesterol levels.
Ok…now let me tell you, pork meat and pork
fat contribute to the spread of cancers of the colon, rectum, prostate and
blood. Pork meat and pork fat contribute
to obesity and related diseases that are difficult to treat. Eating
pork leads to scabies, allergies and stomach ulcers.
By eating pork causes lung infections which result from tapeworms,
lungworms and microbial infections of the lungs. The most serious danger of eating pork is
that pork contains tapeworms which may grow to a length of 2-3 meters. The
growth of the eggs of these worms in the human body may lead to insanity and
hysteria if they grow in the area of the brain. If they grow in the region of
the heart that may lead to high blood pressure and heart attacks. Another kind
of worm that is to be found in pork is the trichinosis worm that cannot be
killed by cooking, the growth of which in the body may lead to paralysis and
skin rashes.
The doctors have confirmed that tapeworm disease is regarded as one of
the serious diseases that may result from eating pork. It may develop in the
small intestine and after several months may grow into a large worm whose body
is composed of a thousand segments, with a length of 4-10 meters, which lives
alone in the intestine of the infected person and part of it may appear when he
defecates. When the pig swallows and ingests its eggs, they enter the tissues
and muscles in the form of larvae sacs containing fluid and the head of the
tapeworm. When a person eats infected pork, the larva turns into a complete
worm in the intestine. These worms cause weakness and vitamin B12 deficiency,
which leads to a specific type of anemia, which may in turn cause nervous
problems. In some cases the larvae may reach the brain, causing convulsions,
increased pressure within the brain, epilepsy and even paralysis.
Eating pork that is not thoroughly cooked may also lead to trichinosis
(infestation with a hair like nematode worm). When these parasites reach the
small intestine, three to five days later many larvae appear which enter the intestine
and reach the blood, from which they reach most of the tissues of the body. The
larvae move to the muscles and form cysts there, and the patient suffers
intense muscle pains. The disease may develop into infection of the cerebral
membrane and brain, and infections of the heart muscle, lungs, kidneys and
nerves. It may be a fatal disease in rare cases.
It is well known that there are some diseases that are unique to humans
and are nor shared with any other animals except pigs, such as rheumatism and
joint pain. ALLAH indeed spoke the truth when He said (interpretation of the
meaning):
“He has forbidden you only the Maytah (dead animals), and blood, and
the flesh of swine, and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others
than ALLAH (or has been slaughtered for idols, on which ALLAH’s Name has not
been mentioned while slaughtering). But if one is forced by necessity without
willful disobedience nor transgressing due limits, then there is no sin on him.
Truly, ALLAH is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Baqarah 2:173]
You know that when Adam (peace be upon him)
was expelled from the Garden, it was because he ate from the tree from which
ALLAH forbade him to eat. We do not know anything about that tree, and Adam did
not need to enquire into the reason why it was forbidden to eat from it. Rather
it was sufficient for him, as it is sufficient for us and for every believer,
to know that ALLAH has forbidden it.
Why dog is Haram in Islam?
Before going into the subject let us recall that halal and haram
in Islam. i.e things which are permissible and forbidden in Islam, are for our
goodness. Allah swt created such haram
things for our trial. Today, its proved that all those things which are
forbidden or are not permissible, are harmful for us. We as muslims need to
have complete faith and submit our will to these commands.
The Prophet Muhammad saw said: "Whoever keeps a dog, except a
dog for herding, hunting or farming, his reward will decrease by one qiraat
every day." (Reported by Muslim)
So you see that it is not permitted to keep a dog unless it
is for a purpose, like hunting or guarding property or other uses that are not
contrary to the Sharee’ah.
There is another hadith regarding concerned with dog:
Prophet Muhammad saw said: "If a dog licks the vessel of
any one of you, let him throw away whatever was in it and wash it seven
times." – Muslim
Those were the saying 1400 plus, years ago. But today science
proved it to be correct. Dogs are the carriers of numerous parasites that
highly harmful us. They get into our intestines and results in disease. By
kissing them, let them lick them or, sleep with them we invite those
parasites. The majority of muslims consider dogs (or
at least their saliva) "ritually" unclean. this conclusion is
"inferred" from a tradition of the prophet (peace be upon him) which
states that if a dog licks a container then the container needs to be washed
seven times (five times, three times and once in other variations of the
tradition). Another tradition states that angels do not descend in a house
where a dog is kept. According to these scholars dogs may only be kept for
protection as guard dogs, for sheep herding, etc. but not as pets.
Scholars have agreed that they can be kept under few circumstances
like farmers who keep dogs for guarding and shepherding cattle, etc;
people who are visually challenged who need to keep dogs as guides,
hunters who use trained dogs, police who employ trained dogs for investigating
crimes, those who need to keep guard dogs, etc.
This does not mean we are to unkind to dogs or hold no
compassion. Prophet Muhammad saw said: "Whilst a man was walking he
became very thirsty, so he went down to a well and drank from it. When he came
out, he saw a dog panting and biting the soil because of thirst. The man said,
‘He is suffering the same as I suffered,’ so he filled his shoe (with water),
came out and let the dog drink until his thirst was quenched. Allah appreciated
his good deed and forgave him because of it." The people asked, "O
Messenger of Allah, will we be rewarded for how we treat animals?" He
said, "In every living thing there is a reward."
(Reported by al-Bukhaari}
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