Why don't Muslims eat pork?

Muslims refrain from consuming pork due to its strict prohibition in Islam. The fact that Allah has forbidden it is reason enough for Muslims to adhere to this rule. However, since this question arises frequently, I would like to provide an explanation for our non-Muslim friends regarding the prohibition of pork.

Let’s take a look at what the Qur’an has to say about consuming pork or pork-related items. According to the Holy Qur’an, it is prohibited to consume dead meat, blood, swine flesh, and anything that has been named other than 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.”

From a scientific perspective, studies have found a link between consuming pork and the development of certain illnesses. Pigs are known to be one of the dirtiest animals, subsisting on waste and filth. Pork can contain harmful microorganisms such as Helminthes, including roundworm, pinworm, and hookworm. Among these parasites, Taenia Solium, or tapeworm, is particularly dangerous. Its eggs can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to various organs in the body.

The digestive system of pigs is known to be problematic due to their quick digestion process, which takes only about four hours compared to cows that take a full day to digest their food. Additionally, pigs have very few sweat glands, which are essential for eliminating toxins from the body, resulting in a higher concentration of toxins in their meat. As a result, pork meat is more saturated with toxins than other farm animals, and it contains excess fat that can lead to hypertension and heart attacks.

It’s true that some may argue that if pork is considered unhealthy and banned in Islam, then there should be other foods on the prohibited list too. However, I agree with the first part of the argument that if pork is potentially unhealthy, it raises questions about other foods as well.

I started my article by stating that Muslims find it sufficient that Allah has forbidden something, and we should follow his rules without needing further explanation. However, taking a scientific perspective can assist us in gaining a deeper understanding of why it may have been prohibited.