why does the Koran ban eating pork?

Question

i do not understand why pork is taboo what was the reasoning behind the ban? why pigs and not say chickens??

Answer 1

Firstly:

Our Lord has forbidden eating pork in definitive terms. Allaah 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 Allaah (or has been slaughtered for idols, or on which Allaah’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering)”

[al-An’aam 6:145]

By the mercy of Allaah and His kindness towards us, Allaah has permitted us to eat all good things, and He has not forbidden anything but those that are impure. Allaah 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.

Secondly:

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.

‎ 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.

‎ 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 anaemia, 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 hairlike 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. Allaah 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 Allaah (or has been slaughtered for idols, on which Allaah’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, Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”

[al-Baqarah 2:173]

These are some of the harmful effects of eating pork. Perhaps after studying them you will not have any doubts that it is forbidden. We hope that this will be the first step in your being guided towards the true religion. So stop, research, look and think, objectively and fairly, seeking only to find out the truth and follow it. I ask Allaah to guide you to that which is best for you in this world and in the Hereafter.

But even if we did not know about the harmful effects of eating pork, this would not change our belief that it is haraam in the slightest, or weaken our resolve to abstain from it. You know that when Adam (peace be upon him) was expelled from the Garden, it was because he ate from the tree from which Allaah 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 Allaah has forbidden it.

Look at some of the harmful effects of eating pork; look at the research of the Fourth Annual Conference of Islamic Medicine, Kuwait edition, p. 731 ff; and al-Wiqaayah al-Sihhiyyah fi Daw’ al-Kitaab wa’l-Sunnah by Lu’lu’ah bint Saalih, p. 635 ff.

Answer 2

Because of the constitution, the U.S. will never be a Muslim nation, nor has it ever been a Christian nation. The 1st Amendment clearly states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". The constitution also prevents the use of any religious test for any public office, no public officials can ever be chosen primarily by their beliefs. It could be interpreted that individual states could possibly pass religious laws as they are not Congress, but the Supreme Court has ruled that they also fall under the first amendment. However, that has not always stopped states in the past, and many religious laws still exist in some states (mostly the south). But they mostly still exist only because no one has bothered to repeal them, they are almost never enforced because the "criminal" would easily win a lawsuit against the state. A state law as intrusive in people's lives as a ban on pork would be struck down almost immediately if the courts properly executed their duties.

Answer 3

probably because god had nothing better to do than to interfere in the most petty manner with the people of earth.

Seriously, there were certainly health issues with both pork and shellfish in those primitive times. With the advent of health regulations and refrigeration, the rules no longer makes any sense. In Britain, pork can even be eaten raw with no ill effects. Worms are, practically speaking, a thing of the past and rotting meat is a rarity in shops (apart from some back street butchers shops from the more backward countries, although they get closed down on a regular basis).

Answer 4

Pork gets worms and bacteria in it very, very quickly, and this was in the days before refrigeration. Chickens are smaller--you can butcher one for a family and have it eaten very quickly. Not so with a pig. So in the desert, you can imagine, a chicken or goat would be healthier for people to eat than a pig. This is also why it was banned for Jews.

Answer 5

Pigs are very unhealthy and dirty. They eat their own feces, too. They also are full of nitrates and retain 98% of their uric acid. Meaning that their meat is full of basically whatever they ate. They also are carriers of parasites, and as has recently been found out, even cooked at high temperatures these can not be killed off. It's for the health. It has nothing to do with spirituality. Coating a bullet in pig's blood won't do anything and neither will forcing pork down the throat. It's the person whose intent it is that matters.

Answer 6

The Quran says they are unclean and unfit for consumption.

Also, animals that are slaughtered according to Islamic rulings can be eaten in Islam.

For that to happen, an animal has to be slaughtered from the throat with a single fast movement that opens the main vein and allows all the blood to gush out and leave the body.

No animal may be eaten unless the blood has left the body.

You cant do this with a pig because it doesnt have a neck.

Pretty advanced for a bedoin to know huh?

I dont know if Jews have ever gone to such lenghs to explain it.

Answer 7

These people are so stupid and backward, and won't face facts. Many animals eat their own excreta.

Modern pork is the same as any other animal - thousands of years ago pigs were seen as dirty scavengers, but now pigs are raised in clean environments.

Muslims are just too blind and brainwashed to do anything that muhammed (curses be upon him) said. if muhammed said black was white, they would believe it.

Answer 8

Practical reasons were that pork rots very quickly in the heat of the dessert and has over time become 'taboo' as you put it.

Answer 9

likewise,why some banned cocaine,heroin soon..cigarettes
why?...good stuffs are only meant for the richs
probably it'll be ok if there's a "halal" print on the pig's butt
coz these days pigs are given healthy good foods and lived in cool air-conditioned farms...very much better life than chicken living in farms

Answer 10

By nature's way pigs are the sanitation department. They eat refuges and all kinds of garbage including stool. We need to be intelligent and not necessarily eat pigs because religion bans it but because is common sense.

Answer 11

Good lord! You don't even know that pork is made out of pig?
Pig is related to swine. Eating pork is tantamount to eating swine's flesh.