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SWINE, PIG, HOG OR PORK IS SIN AND SICKNESS
Our faith
The offensive misconception, that Muslim does not eat pork because this type of animal is sacred and worshipped as god. May had originated from malicious intent to vilify Islam and the Islamic world at large; sheer ignorance of the Biblical prohibition; whimsical intent or deliberate disregard or violation of the Biblical verse which says: “ The pig, because it is s splitter of the hoof but there is no cud. It is unclean for you.
None of their flesh must you eat, and their carcasses you must touch.” [Dueteronomy 14:8]
He hath forbidden you only carrion, and blood, and swineflesh ( pig, pork ) , and that which hath been immolated to (the name of) any other than Allah. But he who is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, it is no sin for him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Islam (Arabic word which means submission to the will of the Almighty God) has laid down the foundation for the best approach in keeping good health. In Al-Qur’an ( The Last Revelation) God exhorts the believers to select the best food and to stay away from any harmful food to maintain good health. The Al-Qur’an says: “ Let him find out which is the best food (to be had)… Eat of the best foods We have provided for you.” [Surah Al-kaaf 18: verse 19; Surah Al-Aaraf ..7: verse 160]
The main purpose of a True Religion must be build an ideal community in this universe; a religion that promote moral, political and economic well; social harmony and peace, as well as good health of its believer or followers.
Health means the physical and mental well-being and freedom from diseases and pain. There are several passages in the Bible, articulating that because of sin ( a transgression of the law of God). God inflicted the human being with diseases ( Psalms103:3;Exodus 15:26 )Due to this, Islam issue instruction and teaching on disease prevention so that it adherents will always stay healthy. These instructions and eating, have scriptural and scientific support.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ABSTENTION FROM EATING PORK
Abstention from eating pork is a measure to keep man free from diseases, and to promote good health of the body. In other religions, food selection is a minor thing and not part of their religious duties. It must be included in the religious tenets, for religion is the channel of God’s mercy and instructions for the well being of the creation.
CHARACTER OF PIG
All types of animals are lawful to be eaten whether those living on land or in the water except those animals specifically forbidden in Al-Qur’an revealed by the Almighty Creator and the teaching of the Prophet with clear and well-defined instructions. According to Bong Barrameda (Trivia, Phil Daily Inquirer, July 10, 1992): “ the pig being closer physiological similarity to humans than any other mammal. Its digestive organs, teeth, blood, and skin are strikingly akin to their human counterparts… Because of this physiological compatibility, pigskin is used as a component in artificial heart valves and as a soothing natural covering for severe burns.” Therefore, pig meat consumption is like eating human flesh.
Pig belong to the forbidden animals, and not allowed to be eaten by the believers. Pig eats almost anything dirty and they are very lazy animals. It is the most avaricious of all domestic animals. Amongst all animals, pig is the cradle of harmful viral and bacterial diseases. Its meat serves as carrier of diseases to mankind and plays the major role in transmitting some of these diseases. A better measure is to abandon eating pig meat. It is this very reason that made it unfit for human consumption. Allah describes it as an abomination in Al-Qur’an: “ Say: I find not in the message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it unless it be dead, meat or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine, for it is an abomination.” [Sura An’am: 145]
DISEASES CAUSED BY PORK**
The following lists show worms and parasites that are found in pork and some diseases caused by them. Many of these diseases are contagious while some are proven fatal. This proves that the more science advances the more Islam is shown correct as a religion of God.
PARASITIC DISEASES
1: TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS (Trichina worms)
It is the most dangerous parasite to man causes of Rheumatism and mascular pain. The infected persons shown no symptoms, recover slowly, some die, some reduced to permanent invalids. No one is immune from this disease and there is no cure. Neither anti-biotic nor drugs, nor vaccines affects these tiny deadly worms. Ordinary methods of salting and smoking do not kill those worms; nor can government inspection of meat at packing hoses or abattoirs identify all infected pork.
2: TAENIA SOLIM (Pork tape worm)
The worm causes malnourishment of the person leading to anaemia, diarrhoea, and extreme depression melancholia and digestive disturbances. Cysticercosis means that larvac enter the blood stream then settle down in one or more of the vital organs of the body, for example: brain, liver, lungs or spinal cord. They grow and encapsulate, inducing pressure to the symptom around, resulting in dangerous diseases.
3: ROUND WORMS
The example of this parasite is Ascaris, which may lead to digestive disturbances, appendicitis, and obstructive jaundice.
4: HOOK WORMS
Ancylostomiasis, which may lead to anaemia, oedema, heart failure or retarded growth of mental and physical, tuberculosis, diarrhea and typhoid.
5: SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM
It is the cause of bleeding, anaemia and other syndromes. If ova are settled in the brain or spinal cord, paralysis and death may occur.
6: PARAGOMINES WESTERMAIMI
Infestation leading to bleeding of the lungs (endenve haemoptysis).
7: PACIOLEPSIS BUSKI
Digestive disturbances leading to persistent diarrhea and generalized oedema.
8: CLONORCHIS SINENSIS
Chlonorchiasis, obstructive jaundice and liver enlargement.
9: METASTRONGYLUS APRI
Causes bronchitis, abscess of the lungs.
10: GIGANTHORINCHUS GIGAS
Cause anemia and digestive disorders.
11: BALANTIDIUM COLI
Causes acute dysentery and general weakness.
OTHER WORMS AND PARASITES
Cysticercus Tenuicollis
Cysticercus Cellulosae ( live in the flesh, heart and tongue of the swine)
Echinococcus Polymorphus
Sparganum Mansoni
Trichuris Suis
Stephanurus Dentatus
Choerostrongylus Pudendotectus
Oesophagostomum Dentatum
Arduenna Strongylina
Physocepholus Sexalatus
Simondsia Paradoxa
Gnathostoma Hispidum
Setaria Bernardi
Macranthorynchus Hirudinaceus
Sarcoptes scabii var suis
BACTERIAL DISEASES
1. Tuber-Bacillis (Tuberculosis)- Pig has been found to suffer from all three types (Mycobacterium Tuberculois [Humanis], Mycobacterium bovis andMycobacterium avium). The disease is transmitted from sick animals to man by close contact, and affected meat also constitutes a source of infection.
2. Fusiformis necrofurus (necrophorum), causing foot rot which is very difficult to heal. This bacterium causes a number of infection pigs and other animals. It is transmitted from animals to man, where it enters through the skin and causes an abscess, which is accompanied by inflammation of the local lymph nodes. In rare cases the bacteria may enter the blood and reach the lungs or other internal organs.
3. Salmonella Chlolera suis: causing cholera. Salmonellosis, the Salmonella species causes many diseases in man and animals. The most important of these are typhoid, paratyphoid and food poisoning. Food poisoning is the most common disease in which animals play a vital role in transmitting it to man. Pigs and their products, in addition to restaurant personnel, constitute an important source of the Salmonella, which produce the disease in man. Some medicinal preparation, for example digestive enzymes of swine origin-may act as a source of infection.
4. Bruceallosis, acute, sub acute and chronic. It may lead to permanent disabilities. This disease mainly affects cattle, goats and pigs; it caused by three bacterial species: Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensi, and Brucella suis. The disease affects pregnant animals and causes death to the foetus and abortion. Transmission of the disease to man may occur from contact with sick animals and their products. The swine bacteria Brucella suis is considered the most serious of the three species to man- because it is difficult to diagnose the disease in pigs and in man, and because there is no effective vaccine for it. Also, it causes a serious illness in man- manifested by meningoencephalitis, endocarditis, splenomegaly, cholecystitis, arthritis, nephiritis, orchitis and uveitis.
5. Swine Erysipelas, causing Erysipelas in man. This is a professional disease, affecting mainly those who work in close contact with pigs. The bacterium Erysepelothrix spp causes disease in pigs. The disease in man causes a reddish skin eruption, which usually occurs on the hands. The infection is painful and continues for 2-3 weeks, and then disappears. Rarely, the bacteria may reach the neighboring lymph nodes and enter the blood circulation. In pigs, the disease is most severe and may cause skin necrosis, enters the blood, and affects the heart and other internal organs.
6. Swine dysentery. This disease distributed among pigs and is caused by group of bacteria-mainly some types of Spirochetes, Fusiformis and Escherichia coli. It is characterized by fever and severe diarrhoea, which is mixed with blood and pus. The disease is transmitted to man by close contact with sick animals or by eating contaminated foods and water.
7. Melioidosis. This disease transmitted from sick pigs to man. The infection occurs on the skin and causes a localized inflammation with enlargement of the neighboring lymph nodes and fever. The infection may spread through the blood to affect the lungs, the brain and other internal organs, causing death if treatment is delayed. The disease may be in the form of acute pneumonia, or it may be a chronic condition resembling tuberculosis.
8. Pasteurollosis. This disease mainly affects pigs, dogs, cats, mice, and others. The infection may be transmitted from sick animals to man through close contact. It manifests by pneumonia, septicaemia, arthritis and nephritis.
9. Mycoplasmosis. The disease in pigs caused by Mycoplasma suis, which produces a pneumonia in them. The infection might be transmitted to man, especially those who work in close contact with sick animals, causing acute pneumonia.
10. Yersinia enterocolitis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Yersinia enterocolitis is widely distributed in animals-mainly pigs, dogs and cattle. Pigs play a major role in transmitting it to man, follow by dogs and rarely, other animals.
Some epidemics have been recorded in man due to eating contaminated foods,. In children is characterized by fever, and diarrheoa, which is mixed with blood and pus. In adults, the disease is less severe but in thirty per cent of cases it is accompanied by arthritis. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis resembles Yersinia enterocolitis. However, they can be differentiated from each other by some special laboratory test. It causes pseudotuberculosis, manifested by inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes. Sometimes the infection resembles acute appendicitis but, when laparotomy is performed, the surgeons discover inflammation of the neighboring lymph nodes, while the appendix is not affected. The infection due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis may cause arthritis and septicaemia. Pig meat is considered the major source of infection to man and the personnel who work in contact with pigs are mainly affected.
11. Clostridial infections. The causal groups of bacteria in this case are anaerobes, which are responsible for a number of diseases in man and animals. The most important species transmitted from animal to man are Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perferingens, which are responsible for causing food poisoning in man and animals.
12. Anthrax ( M’alignant pustule). The aetiology of this disease is Bacillus anthracis. It affects pigs and other animals, causing septicaemia and sudden death. The infection may be transmitted from animals to man by contact with dead animals or their products-such as meat, skin, wool, etc. There are three forms of the disease in man:
a). Malignant pustule of the skin-the commonest infection
b). Malignant pustule of the lungs
c). Malignant pustule of the intestines
13. Streptococcal infections. The streptococcal species are widely distributed in man and animals. Pigs play an important role in transmitting them to man. In 1969, streptococcal meningoencephalitis caused a large number of fatalities in man in Holland and Denmark. A similar outbreak of the disease also occurred in Bengal Province in India in 1984, when it killed several thousand people. The source of the infection in the two epidemics was Streptococcus spp. Of swine origin. Some scientific references recorded those streptococcal meningoencephalitis repeatedly affected pigs.
14. Leptospirosis. Most of the Leptospira species affects rodents, pigs and dogs. Man is usually affected by the contact with sick animals and their urine. The symptoms of the disease in man are fever and jaundice due to hepatitis> Others organs affected are kidneys, heart and blood vessels, causing hemorrhage and hypertension, and in rare cases the disease is fatal. The pig plays an important role in transmitting the disease to man through its flesh and other products, or by contaminating water sources by its urine-which might lead to an epidemic.
15. Listeriosis. This is considered as an important bacterial zoonotic disease. It is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, and pigs play an important role in transmission to man. The most commonly affected are those in close contact with pigs. The disease in man may cause death of the foetus and abortion, or post-natal death.
VIRAL DISEASES
1. Small pox: It is a source of infection to man.
2. Japanese encephalitis. It is the source of infection. This virus can cause epidemics, especially in rural areas where pigs are reared. The disease in man occurs without showing clear symptoms, or it may cause severe encephalitis resulting in death.
3. Influenza Type A- There are three major type of the virus, and within the types there are many serotypes, which differ in their nucleic acid. In 1918, one serotype of swine origin was responsible for a pandemic which killed more than twenty million (20,000,000) people. In 1976, another pandemic due to an influenza virus of swine origin occurred, but it did not spread as widely as expected. (20,000,000) people. In 1976, another pandemic due to an influenza virus of swine origin occurred, but it did not spread as widely as expected.
4. Foot and mouth disease- Pig is one of the affected animals. It is transmitted from animals to man by contact with sick animals and their products. In man it causes fever and vesicles in the area of the mouth, hands and feet.
5. Gastroenteritis in the newborn babies. This disease is caused by a rotavirus, a member of the family Reoviridae. Different types of the virus cause disease in many newborn animals, including pigs, in which it produces diarrhea. In man, the virus causes gastroenteritis in young children. The human rotavirus was found to grow in pig intestines, causing disease. This indicates that swine rotavirus may cause disease in man.
6. Swine vesicular disease. This disease is also caused by a member of the family Picornaviradae, and resembles Foot and Mouth disease to a great extent. The infection is transmitted from pigs to man by contact with sick animals and their products. The disease in man causes fever and severe pain in joints and muscles.
7. Ross River fever. The Virus replicates in pigs and other animals without showing marked symptoms. It is transmitted from them to man by mosquitoes of the Genera Culex and Aedes. In man, the disease causes fever, skin eruption and severe arthritis and occurs epidemically.
8. Vesicular stomatitis. It also affects pigs and transmitted from them to man, supposedly by mosquitoes and sand flies. In man, fever and vesicles appearing in the mouth area manifest the disease.
9. Encephalomyocarditis- It affects pigs and causes epidemics and severe disease. It also affects mice and rats, in which it causes chronic disease. The disease is transmitted to man by contact with sick animals and their products, causing encephalitis and –in rare case – myocarditis.
PROTOZOAL DISEASES
Toxo plasma goundii- it is a very dangerous diseases. A new born babae of an infected woamn may die within few days or weeks after delivery. But if survives, may develop blindness or deafness. In adult chronic exhaustive fever with enlarge liver and spleen may occur. Pneumonia or celebro-spinal meaningitis which may lead to death or madness. The patient may become blind and deaf too.
FATS IN PIGS
Pork contains more fats than other meats. Therefore, people who are fond of pork are obese than others. Cholesterol is higher in their blood thus making them more prone to asthereosclorosis cardiovascular accidents and sudden death. Pimples, boils, cyst are common in pork eaters.
Fat and Cancer
There are evidences that the dietary fat on the development of certain forms of cancer has led to the conclusions positive, correlation between the dietary pork fat consumption and cancer rates of the colon, breast, prostate, endometrium, pancreas, and of the biliary system. These evidences show the correlation between such forms of cancer in three ways. The epidemiological studies, experimental studies and migrant studies. The epidemiological studies, which focus on the effect of fat, especially lard, on cancer incidence and mortality rates among different countries and among population groups who have different fat intake and different dietary habits. The experimental studies have been assisted by the discovery of several animals’ models in which a lesion mimicking human lesions can be induced chemically. In these models, animals that have been fed a high lard diet developed more colons and breast tumors than animals fed low fat diets. The last evidence of the related cancer based on lard intake came from migrant studies, which experience an increase in cancer incident rates of the Japanese migrants to the USA. Breast cancer in Japanese-American women during the years 1969-1971. The correlation studies of the fat and breast cancer concluded that the highest positive correlation was found for pork fat, followed by other animal fat intake, and that a similar association could not found for vegetable fat.
OTHER DISEASES
Flesh of the pork is hard to digest and may lead to chronic digestive disturbances. Pimples, boils,cysts are common in pork eaters. These are some of the parasites and diseases found in pork and or the skin of pigs and certainly there are many more. There is still no means of killing some of these parasites, in the tissues, neither has anyone found a method of expelling them, even produced any specific treatment for the diseases. This type of animals is considered has the high percentage of uric acid in his flesh. It only excretes 2% of its uric acid in urine; the remained embellished in the flesh composition. Man excretes about 90% of uric acid in the urine; other animals differed in ration of excretion of uric acid, while this prove that flesh of swine eaters accumulate more acid which may leads health problems.
BIBLICAL VERDICT ON PROHIBITION OF PORK
The Jews and the different Christians sects and denominations, believe in the Old Testament. However, the moral injunctions of their Holy Scriptures were set aside and they obey their own desires with exception of some of the Jews and Christians sect e.g. Seventh Day Adventists.
Jesus Christ never nullify the verdict written on the law of Moses, instead he uplifted it pronounce its validities and his obedience. He said: “ Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets: I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. “ [Matthew 5:17 RSV]
The law mentioned by Jesus is no other than the law of mOses contained in the Old Testament. And one of the commandments regarding the prohibition of eating swine (pork) is mentioned in the book of Leviticus 11:7-11: “ and the swine, because it parts of the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you of their flesh you shall not eat; and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.” In addition, the book of Isaiah said: “ Who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places who eats swine’s flesh and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; … These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day. “ [ Isaiah 65:4,5b RSV]
THE NEW TESTAMENT
Despite the Biblical injunctions prohibiting pork as food, still people of other religious persuations insist on finding ways and reasons to justify their consumption of prohibited animals arguing that the said Biblical prohibition was already superceded in the New Testament when in certainly, no one can specifically point out that Jesus Christ (PBUH) indeed lifted the prohibition. On the contrary, Jesus (PBUH) declared that : “ Think not that I have come to abolish the law and prophets I have come not to abolish but to fulfill them.” [Matthew 5:17]
The fact is, we can find in Mark 5: 1-20 that Jesus (PBUH) even permitted the foul spirits ( or evil spirits) possessing a man to enter into the herb of swine. Since the flesh of the pig is unlawful to for the Jews, to eat and since it is considered unclean, consequently, the Jews are not to keep or raise them. This Biblical account states that Jesus (PBUH) punished the owners of the swine; destroyed their unlawful livelihood and at the same time showed that pig is habitat of unclean spirits.
The provision of the New Testament alluded to their argument is in Acts 10:10-16. Without reading the whole context, onewould inclined to interpret it to mean that God abrogated His previous command found on Dueteronomy 14:3-8. An alledged apparation of Peter on Acts of the apostles is an alledged to supercede this verse of Old Testament. However, nowhere in the Bible is it mentioned that Peter actually slaughtered and ate the unclean animals he saw in his apparation. The correct interpretation of this apparation was shown to him in Acts 10:25-28. Acts 10:10-16 therefore carries an allegorical connotation, referring explicitly to the Gentiles nations or non-Jewish nations. Peter was told not to call the Gentiles common and unclean because God’s mercy, blessing and forgiveness also encompasses the non-Jews and life eternal also awaits the penitent.
In the Bible of the Christians, Jesus (PBUH) likened to a dog and pig those people whom after receiving divine teaching failed to profit from them and abuses for self-serving purposes. He says: “ Do not give holy to dogs-they will only turn and attack you. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs-they will only trample them underfoot.” [ Matthew 7:6NEB]
THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
The book of Iasaih 66:1-24, is an oracle of the new heavens and the new earth prepared for the believers. Within the context, God condems people’s practices such as eating the flesh of pigs, reptiles and rats. It says: “ Those who sanctify and puirf themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together says the LORD.” [Isaiah 67:17 RSV]. Thereofre, the prohibition on the eating of unclean animals was not abrogated during the New testament times. God will still punish the transgressors in the fire that will never quench. This will occur during the new heavens and the new earth.
MUSLIMS FOLLOW THE DIVINE LAW
The Last Revelation’s Verdict on Prohibition of Pork
Islam means submission to the will and command of God and a person who embraced this religion is called a “Muslim” which means –one who accepts and submits himself to the will of God. A Muslim is obliged to be clean both spiritually, mentally and physically. Abstention from eating flesh of swine is one of the obligation . A Muslim must observe to attain purity of the soul and of the human nature. The believers in Islam, sincerely believe in the Al-Qur’an as the Word of God, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which says: “ Allah has forbidden you only what dies of itself and blood and the flesh of swine and that over which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked; but whoever is driven to (it), not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” [ 16:115]surah Nahal إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنْـزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ verse : 115
We should bear in our mind that the abstention from pork by the Muslims is based on hygienic grounds and of the cultivation of purity character. Pork is not poisonous as to kill people right on the spot but latent. It will destroys slowly. It is certainly not as nourishing as any other meat and it causes prolonged suffering. Pondering on the wisdom of the saying: “ Health is wealth” will lead you to better living and prosperity. The last Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “ There are two blessing which many people lose:health and free time for doing good… The stronger believer (in health) is more blessed and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer.”
From what we have discussed and read from the Scripture of the Christians, scientific findings, the Last Revaltion (Al-Qur’an) and the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about health and the flesh of the swine, we now come to the conclusion that eating of swine flesh is destructive and therefore “ PORK IS SIN AND SICKNESS.” We must protect ourselves for it is a fact that health is a trust and best blessing bestowed upon us by Allah.
* * The Scientific Discoveries in Correlation to the Glorious Qur’an by: Dr. Sulaiman Qush, IDCP,Manila, Phil. 1988 pp.91-96
Why Pork Is Prohibited in Islam by: Prof. Ibrahim Tien-Yieng
Contemporary Topics In Islamic Medicine , Dr. Mohammed Ali Albar ; Co author Dr. Khalid Amin Mohammed, Saudi
Written and compiled
By:
Isa Abdullah Biago
At least nine more people have succumbed to Influenza A (H1N1) taking the national toll due to the contagious virus to 789, the union health ministry said Monday.
Of the nine deaths, five were from Karnataka, and two each from Punjab and Delhi. With these casualties, the number of deaths have gone up to 128 in Karnataka, 20 in Punjab and 56 in Delhi.
Other states, where swine flu has caused havoc, include Maharashtra (249 deaths), Rajasthan (110 deaths), Gujarat (64) and Andhra (52 deaths).
Besides, the country reported 243 new infections. Among the states, Delhi reported 118 cases, Uttar Pradesh (20 cases) and Maharashtra reported 18 new infection. With these new infections, the country has so far reported around 24,000 cases.
“Delhi recorded 118 new cases of Influenza A (H1N1) Monday. With this, the cumulative total number of cases in the city has risen to 8,501,” Anjana Prakash, additional nodal officer handling swine flu cases in Delhi, told IANS.
Nine new positive cases were reported from Chandigarh too.
“We had collected the throat and nasal swab samples of these patients Sunday and their reports are positive. We have properly diagnosed them and our doctors are keeping a close tab on their condition,”
G.C. Bansal, Chandigarh’s officiating nodal officer of swine flu, said!