Why Don't Muslims Eat Pork?

Prohibition of Eating Pork and Swine By-Products in Islam

Nov 30, 2009
Christine Benlafquih

Muslims Don't Eat Pork - patbain, stock.xchng

Muslims are forbidden from eating the meat of pigs, as well as food products derived from pork.

Muslims follow the general principle that all food is halal (permissible) unless a food has been expressly forbidden (haram). Among the few foods which have been clearly forbidden to Muslims under Islamic dietary laws are pork and pork by-products. This prohibition of eating pork comes directly from Allah (God) in the Qur'an.

"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)” (Qur'an 6:145)

Prohibition of Eating Pork in the Old Testament

The prohibition of eating pork is not exclusive to Islam. Pig meat is also forbidden in the Old Testament: "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)

Jewish dietary laws, therefore, clearly forbid the consumption of pork. Although this prohibition hasn't been abrogated in the New Testament, only a minority of Christians consider the restriction from eating pork to be binding on them.

Scientific Evidence that Pig Meat (Pork) is Not Healthy

Of all domesticated animals, swine are the most likely to consume a filthy diet, with pigs even inclined to eating excrement. Science has shown that pig meat is among the least healthy, if not the most unhealthy, to consume. Among the harmful agents found in pork are:

Cholesterol and Fatty Acids - Pig meat is high in fat and cholesterol, which can lead to blocked arteries and heart problems. Pork also contains an unusual type of fatty acid which, once digested, can lead to increased cholesterol levels.
Bacteria and Toxins - Pork meat more readily absorbs toxins than other types of meat. Since pork is digested more quickly by the human body than other types of meat, there is increased likelihood of transfer of toxins to the human body. In addition, findings presented at the 2001 Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Chicago revealed that pork meat may contain antibiotic-resistant Enterococci bacteria, a cause of fatal food poisoning.
Diseases - Pigs may be afflicted with a wide range of diseases, some of which can be passed on to humans. Swine flu, or H1N1, is just one example. The risk of disease is present whether handling live pigs or their carcasses.
Parasites - A number of dangerous parasites may contaminate pig meat, including tape works, trichina worms, hook worms and round worms. These parasites are transferred to the human body after someone consumes contaminated pork, and may cause serious illness and even death. Some worms ingested through contaminated pig meat can even migrate to the human brain, where they burrow into the brain tissue and must be surgically removed.

Although science has shown there is good reason for the Islamic prohibition on pork, Muslims first and foremost adhere to their dietary laws because doing so an act of obedience to their Creator. There is no hardship in avoiding pork and pork by-products, while consuming the meat of swine clearly poses the possibility of serious health risks.