The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known all over the world but many Muslims and non- Muslims actually don’t know the reason it is declared as ‘haram’.
An Islamic cleric, Ustadh Misbaudeen Yusuf, the Director of Wabilahi Toafeek Islamic Institute, Ibadan, Oyo State, opined that a Muslim spends his life striving to please God by worshiping Him and obeying His laws, or rules and one of those rules is that the eating of pork, or pork products is forbidden.
He said, “At first, one might wonder what harm could come from pork, a product eaten in many parts of the world, and the fact that pork contains parasites and diseases harmful to man may spring to mind as a justifiable reason for abstaining. However, when analysing why Muslims are forbidden to eat pork, this becomes a secondary reason as Muslims simply do not eat pork or pork products because God has prohibited it.
“In Suratul Baqara , Verse 173, in the Quran, Allah says, ‘He has forbidden you only dead animals, and blood, and the swine, and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than God.’”
Yusuf added, “Sometimes, we may never know or understand why God has ordained some things and prohibited others. In the case of pork, no specific reason for the prohibition is given except in Suratul Anam, verse 145, which says, ‘I do not find within that which was revealed to me (anything) forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure – or it be (that slaughtered in) disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah.’”
He noted that a Muslim submits to God’s commands willingly, without needing to know the reason behind the divine rule. Moreover, God has expressly stated that a believer hears the words of his Lord and obeys them. Quran Chapter 24:51:
He explained, “We hear and we obey and such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise).
“A believer understands that God is the Most Wise and the Most Just; therefore, His rules are designed to benefit us in our daily needs, be they physical, emotional, or spiritual. The Creator knows the best way for His creation to live in this world and prepare for the next. It is not permissible for a Muslim to consume pork under any circumstances except in cases of dire necessity, such as, if a person’s life depends on eating it. In cases of dire necessity, prohibited things are permitted.”
He, however, concluded that since pigs had no neck, so, that made it impossible for them to be slaughtered the Islamic way. “That is the’ halaal’ way, by the insertion of a knife in the neck and thus getting rid of the blood, which contains an abundance of uric acid, a toxic chemical substance that can be injurious to human health,” he further explained.
