The pig (Sus Domesticus), often called swine, hog, or domestic pig when distinguishing from other members of the Genus Sus, is an omnivorous, domesticated even-toed ungulate.

Pigs are amongst the largest population of domesticated mammals in the world. There are over one billion pigs worldwide. The production of pork is fairly inexpensive in comparison to the production of beef, mutton and other protein-rich foods because, unlike other animals, pigs have the ability to ingest garbage other rotten products.

Pigs can be bred for the production of pork, bacon, ham and gammon. Pigs are also the source of intestines used for the production of natural sausages, black puddings, frankfurters and hot dogs. Pigs are very reproductive, with a sexual maturity age of 3 to 12 months; they have estrus every 18 to 24 days and a gestation period of only 112 to 120 days. One breed sow can farrow up to 12 piglets.

The Holy Qur’an clearly prohibits the consumption of swine; therefore muslims completely refrain from eating any pig products.

The prohibition of swine (pork) and all its products is mentioned in the Quran in more than one place.

Allah (swt) said: “He has forbidden you carrion, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and what was dedicated to other than God …” (Quran 2:173).

He also said: “Say, “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 -…” (Quran 6:145).

Based on the above verses of the Quran prohibition of swine is understood to include all products and by-products that are derived from the pig. This also includes cooked or processed foods, like lard (pig fat), bacon, ham, pork hot dogs, sausages, salami, pepperoni,

or any food products that contain any ingredient, or any part of the pig, or any animal that belongs to the family of the pig, such as wild boar, hog, etc.

The slightest possibility of any cross-contamination from pork into Halal products must be thoroughly prevented. In fact, in Islam, the prohibition extends beyond eating – it also includes buying, selling, raising, transporting, slaughtering, or directly deriving benefit in any way from swine, or other haram materials.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Verily, Allah has forbidden wine and its sale. He has forbidden carrion and its sale. He has forbidden swine and its sale.” (Abu Dawud: grade sahih).

From the scientific point of view, pork contains micro-organisms, such as Helminthes, like roundworms, pinworms, and hookworms, among others. One of the most dangerous kinds of worm is Taenia Solium, better known as the tapeworm.

Pork has very little muscle-building material and contains an excess of fat. The fat deposits in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attacks.

Furthermore, scientific studies have shown that pig meat is the least healthy because it contains a variety of harmful substances, like Cholesterol and Fatty Acids, Bacteria and Toxins, including a number of parasites. Pig meat is high in fat and cholesterol, which causes cardiovascular diseases, obesity in the incidence of large intestine cancer. Bacteria and Toxins associated with pigs spread many diseases, such as salmonellosis, which leads to acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea.

Some Muslim scholars also mention the negative behaviour and psychological patterns and attitudes of people who consume pig products.

Prohibition of pork is not only mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, but also in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). For example, in Deuteronomy: “… And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.” (Leviticus 11:7-8).

As for Christians, Jesus (pbuh) commanded his followers to abide by the Laws of Moses (pbuh). Unfortunately, the laws that mention the prohibition of pork were later changed by Paul of Tarsus to appease the gentiles (non-Jews). The change (i.e. making pork permissible) was also made to help the spread of Christianity among the Romans, Greeks and other nations.

By Dr Bekim Hasani

Head of Shariah Affairs,ICCV