What about Pigs

Society Religion & Philosophy
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I was reading a book with my daughter and a pig story came up. She said pigs are awful. Allah hates pigs.

Well, i said, no Allah does not hate pigs, he created them like every living thing. Its just that we are not allowed to eat pigs. She said no Grandma told me that Allah hates pigs.

So whats the ruling on pigs?

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Toba toba... just typing the word "pig" will land u in trouble. koi guppans ko heart attack mat dho, woh lafz likh ke :@:

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^ I thought we had the white font available :konfused:

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Peace Iconoclast

I find it funny when Muslims especially from back home say that we can't say the 'P' word or else our tongues will go napak for 40 days .... LOL

The Qur'an says the word 'PIG' ... khinzeer in Arabic

So I wonder how can we read that verse without making our tongues napak?

In my youth all pictures of pigs and mention of them was not totally forbidden but heavily frowned upon and my mother 'du'as for her' used to pull horrible faces when mentioning them.

Pigs are just another animal that epitomise filth and indeceny but that is their natural role to be cleaners and refuse and effluent disposers. Allah (SWT) made pigs they are part of the family of creation and furthermore they are like us in that they are not only mammals but are omnivorous too. Their teeth, flesh and organs resemble ours too.

We need to strike a balance about the nature of pigs from what they represent as examples of filth and indeceny.

Even in English calling someone a 'pig' is not a compliment, but the English have stuffed toys of them and cartoons of them and their kids 'love' them. Some sort of balance needs to be drawn between the current mindset of the Pakistani stance to that of the Western stance. We can't love these animals too much or else we might sanction the eating of them nor should we hate them that we give disregard to their 'right' as a creation of Allah (SWT) to be respected.

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I grew up with a stuffed animal pig.. and I still have him. Pigs are adorable when they're little, and they're EXTREMELY intelligent. Not to mention, they are very similar to humans. Initial crash testing used pigs instead of dummies, and I believe the first human heart transplant recipient received a pig heart!

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I played with the Miss piggy (from Muppet babies)..did that make me wanna eat it? NO!!!

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Prohibition of the Swine; Analyzing the ‘Pig’

Reference to pigs in the Qur’an

There are four places in the Qur’an where the pig’s meat is declared as forbidden (2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115). For instance, “Pig’s meat is forbidden because that is unclean.” (Qur’an 6, 145)

Reference to pigs in the Bible

Prior to the revelation of the Qur’an, the Bible too decreed the meat of pig as forbidden and impure:

  1. “You may not eat their meat or even touch their dead bodies; they are forbidden foods for you.” (The Living Bible, 1975, Leviticus, 11, 8)

  2. “And the swine … it is unclean unto you: You shall not eat their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.” (The Holy Bible, 1954, Deuteronomy, 14, 8)

It is to be noted that due to this clear commandment in the Old Testament of the Bible, the Jews too did not consume the meat of pigs.

The harmful nature of pig meat

Of course, it is sufficient for a Muslim to abhor pig meat because Allah (swt) has simply ordered us to do so and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) declared it as haram. But Muslims also believe that Allah (swt) is aware of all the ingredients and effect of every thing. The food and drinks which have been declared forbidden by Islam are ultimately harmful for humans, regardless of whether we are actually aware of this or not. As a doctor prevents his patient from a particular food, he does so to benefit the patient, though the patient may not realise this at the time.

In the past, simply accepting knowledge of the unseen was sufficient, but today we can for ourselves witness the grave harm of pig meat, its effect on those who consume it and its link to diseases, through the means of medical knowledge and research. One particular disease associated with pig meat is Trichinosis.

“Trichinosis or Trichiniasis: A disorder resulting from infestation with the small roundworm Trichinella Spiralis, commonly acquired by humans by the eating of undercooked pork containing encapsulated larvae of the parasite. Trichinosis is more common in Europe and the United States than in other parts of the world. In the United States the incidence of infection may be as high as fifteen to twenty percent.” (The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th Edition, 1995)

“Trichina: Genus of Nematoda or threadworms … they give rise to the disease known as Trichiniasis. The eggs are hatched out in the intestines of the host, and the trichinae then migrate to the muscles, where they become encysted and develop no further unless the flesh of the host is eaten by some other animal. They are then set free in the alimentary canal, where they become sexually mature. The natural host of this parasite is the rat, but it is often found in pigs.” (The New Universal Encyclopaedia, London: The Caxton Publishing Company Ltd)

The moral damage of pig

Not only does the domestication of the pig cause illness in the human body, but also the consumption of its meat affects the person’s inner soul, and causes severe moral damage. This is because bad company and impure food greatly affect and influence a person’s physical and spiritual wellbeing. Consider this quote from the author of The English Pig:

Domestication alters the nature and behaviour of the controlled animal. (Similarly) Domestication also generates a familiarity with the animal that affects human consciousness. (The English Pig, London: The Hambledon Press, 1998, p. 129)

To test this observation, one should focus on the ethical and moral position of Europe, where pigs are kept and produced and where its meat is eaten with great pleasure and delight. Indecency and vice is rampant. The honour of women has been tarnished to unspeakable depths. European men fair no better but merely watch this façade. It will not be far-fetched to suggest that there is a correlation between this and the raising and consuming of pigs; it is common knowledge that when a male and female pig mate, then other pigs watch this nearby and await their turn. Whereas, other animals are very sensitive for their females and do not allow any other male to touch their females.

The nature of pigs

Pigs are extremely dirty, idle, disliked and indecent animals. Here are a few references to highlight this fact. The irony is that these quotes come from exactly those people who raise and consume pigs:

  1. “The pig is a fat, sleepy, stupid, dirty animal, wallowing constantly in the mire.” (Ibid, p. 1)

  2. “They will eat small quantities of many materials from a very early age, including feed, earth and the faeces of the dam.” (Fream’s Agriculture, London: Butler & Tanner Ltd, 16th Edition, 1983, p. 684)

  3. “A man from St Helens, Lancashire, born in 1893, recalled of the houses: ‘Not only was there the open lavatory in the back yard, many of the people when I was young, kept a pig in the yard’.” (The English Pig, p. 42)

  4. “The pig is the Husbandman’s best Scavenger, and the Huswives most wholesome sink; for his food and living is by that which will else rot in yard …; for from the Husbandman he taketh pulse, chaff, barn dust, man’s ordure, garbage, and the weeds of his yard: and from the huswife her draff, swillings, whey, washing of tubs, and such like, with which he will live and keep a good state of body, very sufficiently.” (Ibid, p. 34)

  5. “The hog during life does not render the least service to mankind, except in removing that filth which other animals reject.” (Ibid, p. 30)

  6. “It would be accurate to say that the pig was generally acknowledged to have a character, but that this character was not considered in any way attractive or admirable.” (Ibid, p. 1)

The word ‘pig’ as a form of insult

Muslims and Jews abhor pigs and consider the word as a grave insult. In fact, the word is used as an insult in the English language:

Indeed the pig was usually thought to be brutish, insensitive and filthy – so much so, in fact, that it became a commonplace metaphor for human greed, grossness and intemperance. (Ibid, p. 1)

Pig, swine and hog all have a similar usage in English. When these words are used in reference to a human, then it means the person is greedy, dirty, ill-mannered, selfish, unpleasant, obnoxious, foul-smelling and disliked. (The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 4th Edition, 1989)

Why is pig meat haram?

It is clear from this analysis that the pig – physically and literally – has no appeal, and nor its behaviour or food is worthy of any praise. Its meat opens the door to several illnesses. Such is the extent of its filth and gross impurity that if it was left in a clean place, it would excrete and then eat this to feed its sickening appetite. For Muslims, even to think about consuming its meat is extremely vile; even looking at it is nauseating.

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The pig is haram to eat . That is all to it. Why ? Allah knows the best. He did not give any reason or logic.
Now as to having it as a pet and a character in stories that a different matter. There are other animals you can have as pets. But if someone wants to have pig as a pet I do not see any issue there.
Now for pig as a charcter in story. If you are living in Islamic countries you would not find story books prescribed as part of curriculum having pig as characters in stories. In west pigs are characters of stories, while you are reading the storybook to your kids, it is your chance to let them know that it is Haram to eat that is end of it. If Allah or Rasool ( SAW) hated pig they will order the followers to erradicate the pigs. We are not ordered by Allah to eradicate the pigs from the face of earth. Pig has not even been used in any negative connatations in Quran or Hadees.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

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Isn't It said that Hazret Isa will come and kill all pigs on this planet along with the Dajaal (spellings?!)? More over I believe that It is important to know about Islam more and more, therefore questioning on why something is haram is legitimate yet important. Most relevant for the knowledge to explain and deliever to some one who is not of our religion.

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There is nothing wrong with pigs. pigs are living beings. infact some of them are right on this forum and often post pro-zionists articles on this forum. :)

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I do not know about Hazrat Esa coming and killing all pigs, that if it is a Hadees or just hearsay.
Why something is haram has not been explained in Quran. I do not know if there are some hadees which explain it. Never heard of one.
Whatever we the muslim come up as an explanation is all a theory and can be proved wrong. For example for a long time it was said that pig is haram because it is a dirty animal and because it is the only animal which is homosextual. Also because they spread certain kind of disease. None of it is exclusively true in this day and age.
The mere fact that Allah has made it haram without explaining the reason should be enough for us.
There are some things you can explain to others , there are other things which cannot be explained. For example what proof do you have for the existance of Jins and angels ? How would you explains jins and angels to other religions ? Other than that Allah has told us about their existance and there are Ahadees about their existance. Can you explain why Allah needs angels to help Him out ? He is Almighty , all powerfull , he can do anything or everything by just saying kun ( happen) then why he needs helpers to run his kindom ?

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Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim quoted the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as saying: “whateveSoon the Son of Mary will descend among you as a just judge. He **will break the cross, kill the pig, **remove the Jizyah and the wealth will overflow to the extent that people will get disinterested in it, and until the prostration (sajdah) will be better than the world and whatever is in it. Then Abu Hurayrah said, 'Read if you wish, 'And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness on them."(An-Nisa' 4:159)

The above hadith essentially suggests that Jesus will return as a just judge between truth and falsehood. Breaking the cross, killing the pig, and so on simply mean that he will correct the false doctrines and beliefs spread about him and his teachings among his followers. Consequently many of them will follow him. And thus the followers of Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Jesus (peace and blessings be upon both of them) will be united into one Ummah (nation). This is the purpose of Jesus’ return to earth.
readingislam.com

Breaking of the cross and killing of the pig are not to be taken as literal.

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I agree that whatever has been prohibited in Quran should be obeyed. But everything that has been banned or declared haram has a reason, therefore making a research on that is no sin and can be or should be analysed into the deep.
More over have a look at that http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=236183
and you might find that It is scientifically proven that It causes trouble to health. My neighbour had health problem because of consuming pig, therefore the doctors strictly restricted her of eating pig.

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Thanks hareem :k:

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While I respect that people don't want to eat pork because of religious doctrine, I'm sorry folks, it's not any more harmful than other meat. Infection is found most often in rural, developing countries with poor hygiene where pigs are allowed to roam freely. Otherwise it is fine.

If it's against your religion, ok, but if you aleady eat meat, you aren't going to find any health reasons to not eat it.

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^ So basically a pig is one of thsoe things that u should just stay away from b/c Allah has said so (nothing wrong with that).... :)

AMERICAN citizen KIDNAPPED from Model Town in Lahore
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Of course who else…Seminole my buddy.
Ill make It short this time:

Although I admit It has most effective proteins. Best for muscles and sport men.

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LOL, you are posting a 100 year old opinion from a promoter of vegetarianism and maker of breakfast cereal as "proof"?

Next time don't make it so short and post something with a little more substance.

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It’s short and simple:

They’re prohibited. We cannot eat them or keep them as pets because they are considered unclean and filthy.

For solidity of this, you can look into Quran for specific ruling.

I posted this a while back in response to a similar thread:

It’s amongst the sins, that’s for sure. FYI: Adultry and fornication are amongst the highest of sins along with Shirk (Joining partners with Allah). The reason eating pork is sin because it is not a clean animal. It eats almost anything. It is highly likely that the animal carries diseases that may prove extremely harmful, if not deadly. So from a Medical point of view, this is why the prohibition of pork was prescribed to muslims.
Food and drink have direct effect on our health. That is why Islam has prescribed regulations about our food and drink. It lays great emphasis on our physical as well as moral health, because both of these are equally important for a healthy society. The abstention from eating pork is one of the steps taken by Islam to practise hygiene and to attain purity of soul.
The prohibition is based on the aim of the purification of one’s nature, because food, when consumed, doesn’t merely enter the stomach and intestines and become excreta. It is absorbed and metabolized into the system and circulated to all parts of the human body, including the brain, and this in no small way affects man’s nature.

Take a look at the nature of the pig for example. The pig is naturally lazy and indulgent in sex, it is dirty, greedy and gluttonous. It dislikes sunlight and lacks the spirit and will to “fight.” It eats almost anything, be it human excreta or anything foul and unwholesome. Amongst all animal flesh, pork is the favoured cradle of harmful germs. Pork also serves as a carrier of diseases to mankind. It is for this reason that its flesh is not suitable for consumption.

You may argue that the “modern pig” reared in farms is given only clean foods, therefore, its flesh should be consumable. The answer is that you may feed the pig on clean, wholesome food, but you can’t change its nature. It is still a pig and will always stay so. A pig is not a plant and you cannot change it by bud-grafting.

Having said that, it does not mean that people should continue to do all the other little things that are “acceptable” sins. It’s just that people do not follow the book and law as it is meant to be followed. There are some people who abstain for all bad things altogether, unfortunately they are but few. So, eating pork is in the bundle of things not to do along with many of the other things that are prohibited.

It’s from here. http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=274047&highlight=Pork

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Please read about the health problems can be caused by consuming pork. Which has hardly to do with poor hygenic measures as you have stated in your previous post. However pigs prefer living in unhygenic environment.