In Sweden, pork is served in some restaurants, and I have been asked by some people why pork is forbidden and what the reason is.
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The questioner : He says that he resides in Sweden and that pork is served in their restaurants, and that he has been asked by some people why pork is forbidden, what the reason is, and what the evidence for this is? I ask the honorable Shaykh to give me a comprehensive answer regarding this?
The Shaykh : Allah has forbidden pork in His Book in several places, and the Muslims have agreed upon its prohibition. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) explained the wisdom behind its prohibition in His saying:[Al-An'am 6:145] Thus, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) explained the wisdom behind its prohibition, which is that it is *rajis*, meaning impure and harmful to a person in his religion and his body. The Lord (Mighty and Majestic) is the Creator and He knows what is in His creations of harms and benefits. So, when He (Mighty and Majestic) tells us that He has forbidden pork because it is *rajis*, we know that this impurity is harmful to us in our religion and our bodies. Therefore, we say to every person who asks about the wisdom behind the prohibition of pork: it is *rajis*, meaning impure and harmful to the body and to the religion.
It has been said that one of the characteristics of this impure animal is a lack of jealousy. If a person feeds on it, his jealousy regarding his prohibited matters and his family may be taken from him, because a person is affected by what he feeds on.
Have you not seen the prohibition of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) from eating any of the beasts of prey that have fangs and any of the birds of prey that have talons? Because these beasts and these birds are by nature aggressive and predatory, and it is feared that if a person feeds on them, he may acquire this nature, because a person is affected by what he feeds on. This is the wisdom behind the prohibition of pork.
We say this when we address a person who does not believe in the Qur'an or the rulings of Allah. We may also say it to a person who believes in that, but so that his heart may be reassured and his steadfastness may increase. The believer, as soon as it is said that this is the ruling of Allah and His Messenger, considers that to be the wisdom of the ruling, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Ahzab 33:36], and He the Exalted said: [An-Nur 24:51-52]. When Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked why a menstruating woman makes up the fast but not the prayer, she mentioned that the operative cause for that is the command of Allah and His Messenger, and she said: Mishkat al-Masabih 2032.
So the believer is satisfied with the Shari'ah ruling as soon as it is established that it is a ruling from Allah and His Messenger, and he submits to it and is pleased with it. But if we are addressing a person with weak faith or a person who does not believe in Allah and His Messenger, then it is incumbent upon us to seek the wisdom and explain it.
The Shaykh : Allah has forbidden pork in His Book in several places, and the Muslims have agreed upon its prohibition. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) explained the wisdom behind its prohibition in His saying:
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
قل لا أجد فيما أحي إلي محرماً على طاعم يطعمه إلا أن يكون ميتة أو دماً مسفوحاً أو لحم خنزير فإنه رجسIt has been said that one of the characteristics of this impure animal is a lack of jealousy. If a person feeds on it, his jealousy regarding his prohibited matters and his family may be taken from him, because a person is affected by what he feeds on.
Have you not seen the prohibition of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) from eating any of the beasts of prey that have fangs and any of the birds of prey that have talons? Because these beasts and these birds are by nature aggressive and predatory, and it is feared that if a person feeds on them, he may acquire this nature, because a person is affected by what he feeds on. This is the wisdom behind the prohibition of pork.
We say this when we address a person who does not believe in the Qur'an or the rulings of Allah. We may also say it to a person who believes in that, but so that his heart may be reassured and his steadfastness may increase. The believer, as soon as it is said that this is the ruling of Allah and His Messenger, considers that to be the wisdom of the ruling, as Allah the Exalted said:
It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair
وما كان لمؤمن ولا مؤمنة إذا قضى الله ورسوله أمراً أن يكون لهم الخيرة من أمرهم(51) The only statement of the [true] believers when they are called to Allah and His Messenger to judge between them is that they say, "We hear and we obey." And those are the successful. (52) And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger and fears Allah and is conscious of Him - it is those who are the attainers.
إنما كان قول المؤمنين إذا دعوا إلى الله ورسوله ليحكم بينهم أن يقولوا سمعنا وأطعنا وأولئك هم المفلحون ، ومن يطع الله ورسوله ويخش الله ويتقه فأولئك هم الفائزونThat happened to us, and we were ordered to make up for the fast, but were not ordered to make up for the prayer.
كان يصيبنا ذلك فنؤمر بقضاء الصوم ولا نؤمر بقضاء الصلاةSo the believer is satisfied with the Shari'ah ruling as soon as it is established that it is a ruling from Allah and His Messenger, and he submits to it and is pleased with it. But if we are addressing a person with weak faith or a person who does not believe in Allah and His Messenger, then it is incumbent upon us to seek the wisdom and explain it.