Introduction

One of the most well-known foods that Muslims are severely forbidden from eating is pork, which has led to many inquiries about whether or not it is haram. You will learn why eating pork is forbidden for Muslims in this post. So continue reading this page attentively if you are curious.

Why can’t Muslims eat pork?

Islam only allows herbivorous animals, meaning that an animal’s meat must have split hooves and chew its cud in order to be considered permissible under Islamic dietary law. Livestock like deer, cows, goats, sheep, antelope, and so on are examples. However, pigs are forbidden (haram) in many parts of the world. Although they have cloven hooves, one of the main reasons for this is that they do not chew their cud. They can readily transmit bacteria that are dangerous to people, which is another factor.

Why do Muslims not eat pork?

As omnivorous scavengers, pigs eat almost everything that comes in their path. They have a reputation for eating rubbish and carrion, which are regarded as impure in Islam. This renders things unclean rather than dirty.

Quranic Verses That pork haram in islam

Any edible—whether it be food, drink, or animal—must be verified by two main sources in order to be classified as halal or haram. The first is the Holy Quran, which is considered a sacred book by Muslims and contains the revelation of God (Almighty Allah).  The second is the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) [PBUH]. 

حُرِّمَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحۡمُ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡمُنۡخَنِقَةُ وَٱلۡمَوۡقُوذَةُ وَٱلۡمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَٱلنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَآ أَكَلَ ٱلسَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيۡتُمۡ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى ٱلنُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسۡتَقۡسِمُواْ بِٱلۡأَزۡلَٰمِۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ فِسۡقٌۗ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَئِسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡنِۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمَ دِينٗاۚ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ فِي مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٖ لِّإِثۡمٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ

Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

SURAH AL-MA’IDAH (5:3 QURAN)

This Surah makes it clear that Muslims are not allowed to consume blood, swine flesh, or carrion—decaying animal flesh.

Another Surah from the Holy Qur’an, Surah An-Nahl 16:115, affirms that pork is prohibited and should never be eaten unless there is a compelling reason to do so, not only out of desire.

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحۡمَ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦۖ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ غَيۡرَ بَاغٖ وَلَا عَادٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ

He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

SURAH AN-NAHL (16:115 QURAN)

These Surahs that are shown above provide proof why eating pork is forbidden for Muslims and should never be done.

Hadiths that pork haram in Islam

 Abu Hurayrah, narrates, The Messenger of Allah (Peace BeUpon Him) as saying:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ الْخَمْرَ وَثَمَنَهَا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَحَرَّمَ الْمَيْتَةَ وَثَمَنَهَا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَحَرَّمَ الْخِنْزِيرَ وَثَمَنَهُ

Allah forbade wine and the price paid for it, and forbade dead meat and the price paid for it, and forbade swine and the price paid for it.

(Sunan Abu Dawood 3485)

What happens if a Muslim eats pork?

Muslims are not guilty of sin if they unintentionally consume pig meat. It is accurate to believe that impurities associated with pigs should only be cleaned once.

What happens if Muslims eat pork?

There is no sin on you for eating pig meat without intending to, because Allah says in Quran (al-Ahzab 33:5)

And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

12 reasons why Muslims do not eat pork meat

Below are 12 unique reasons, why Muslims are not allowed to eat pork:

Disallowance in the Quran:

The Holy Qur’an has multiple verses that expressly forbid eating pork. As a result, for Muslims, it becomes an essential religious ban.

Pork haram in Islam shown in the Hadith:

Pork was also forbidden in the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH).

Obedience to Allah:

Giving up pig products is a practice that demonstrates devotion, obedience, and willful submission to Allah.

Maintaining Spiritual Integrity:

Islam holds that eating haram (forbidden) foods like dogs, pork, and snakes will tarnish one’s spiritual purity and weaken one’s relationship with Allah.

Pig Uncleanliness:

Due to Islam’s emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene, pigs spend most of their lives in garbage and dirt near water. They are considered unclean because of the type of food they eat and the health risks that can come from eating them.

Possible Risks to Health:

Their diet and lifestyle make them susceptible to carrying a variety of dangerous viruses and diseases such as tapeworms and trichinosis, which can pose a serious threat to human health if consumed.

Pay Attention to Hygiene and Cleanliness:

Islam places a high value on hygiene and cleanliness. Muslims prioritise keeping themselves clean and physically well by refraining from eating pork.

Enhancement of Health:

Pork avoidance protects against a number of potential health problems that might result from eating contaminated meat, including brucellosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, swine influenza, tularemia, trichinellosis, and pathogenic E. coli.

Identity based on culture and religion:

Ignorance of pork has become a fundamental aspect of Islamic identity and culture. It acts as a symbol of Muslim unity and religious devotion.

Signifies Self-Restraint:

Giving up pork is a sign of discipline and self-control in Muslims. It also demonstrates respect for the customs of the faith, emphasizing the value of moderation and restraint in all facets of life.

Avoidance of Sin:

By refraining from eating pork, a Muslim demonstrates dedication and obedience and keeps their spiritual connection to God strong and unbroken.

Maintaining Tradition:

Muslims have practiced abstaining from pork for generations, upholding both cultural and theological traditions related to food consumption.

Conclusion

For a number of reasons, including cultural morality, health concerns, and religious beliefs, Muslims abstain from eating pork. The Quran’s clear prohibition, the notion that pigs are filthy (najis), pose health risks, and the desire to submit to Allah’s will all have an impact on this diet.

Muslims both proclaim and protect their health by following Allah’s Will. Comprehending these tenets aids non-Muslims in realizing the significance of dietary choices in Muslim life.