To simply answer this question, Muslim don’t eat pork because it is strictly prohibited in Islam. For Muslims, it is more than a good enough reason that Allah has forbidden something and we must obey his rules. However, since this question comes up a lot, I want to explain why it is forbidden for our non Muslim friends.
First, let’s review what Qur’an says about eating pork or pork products. Holy Qur’an says,
Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked a name other than that of Allah. (Al-Qur’an 5:3)
The consumption of pork is prohibited in the Qur’an in four different verses. It is forbidden in Suratul Baqara Verse 173; Suratul Al Maida Verse 3; Suratul Al Anman Verse 145, and Suratul An Nahl 16:115. God says in reference to the flesh of swine (pig), “for that surely is impure”. (Al-Qur’an 6: 145)
Holy Qur’an says, “It is not permissible for a Muslim to consume pork under any circumstances except in cases of dire necessity, such as, if a person’s life depends on eating it.”
In terms of scientific point of view, research shows a correlation between pork consumption and various diseases. Pig is the filthiest animal on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, feces and dirt. Pork contains micro-organisms like Helminthes, like roundworm, pinworm, and hookworm etc. One of the most dangerous of these worms is Taenia Solium also known as tapeworm. Its ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and it can damage almost all the organs of the body.
Pigs also have a problematic digestive system. A pig digests whatever it eats rather quickly, in up to about four hours whereas a cow takes a good 24 hours to digest what it has eaten. Another issue with the pig is that it has very few functional sweat glands and can barely sweat at all. Sweat glands are a tool the body uses to get rid of toxins. This leaves more toxins in the pig’s body. These are some of the reasons why pork meat is more saturated with toxins than many of other counterpart farm animals. Pork has very little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attack. (Sources: Islamic Research Foundation, Mumbai, India)
Many can counterargue that “if pork being potentially unhealthy is the reason for being banned in Islam, then a lot more food should be on the list too. It should not affect your relationship with God.” While I agree with the first part of the argument, that if pork being potentially unhealthy is the reason for prohibition then other foods would be banned as well.
However, I began my article with “For Muslims, it is more than a good enough reason that Allah has forbidden something and we must obey his rules.” Therefore, we do not require a further explanation. His command is simply good enough. But looking at it from a scientific point of view can help us to search for more understanding about why it might’ve been prohibited.
Also, it can be said that this article highlights the negative things about pork, when you could do the same things for any other food. Pork can actually have some benefits like other meats when prepared correctly.” Everything about this statement is true. However, I’d like to reiterate that, in the Holy Qur’an, God mentions the flesh of swine (pig) as “impure.” Therefore, it’s easier to assume that there has to be something negative or harmful about this animal that isn’t good for our health since no other animals were described as impure or forbidden.
To sum up, as Muslims we understand that God is the Most Wise and the Most Just; therefore, His rules are designed to benefit us in our daily needs whether it be for health reasons, emotional, or spiritual. The Creator knows the best way for His creation to live in this world. And based on the number of times that pork was mentioned as haram, no amount of explanation can ever change the message of the Holy Quran. Also, it’s not always possible to understand why God has ordained some things and prohibited others because many things are beyond our understanding. We may never know the true reason behind his divine rule but as Muslims we hear, we obey.
