Muslims and Pork

[Kaiser]

I wanted to know what was the thing about eating pork.
Ive heard that you cant eat pork.
So ive wanted ask why?
Also is it allowed to eat it, if you dont have anything else to eat ?

[Consider]

Peace,

Pigs are dirty animals, and carry a lot of illnesses, many of which can be 'caught' by humans. They eat just about anything, including dirt, so on the health basis, pig meat is not allowed.

Pigs also have tapeworms which can be transfered to the human gut when a person eats pork that has not been heated correctly.

If you like have NOTHING else to eat, and are sure to die or get severly ill, and pork is the only thing available, then I believe you can eat it.

" ..He has forbidden you only the maitah (dead animals), and blood, and flesh of swine and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than allah, But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits - then there is no sin on him. Truly allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful"


But i dont think this situation would arise, so stick to veg when and if it does!

peace.

[Bilal]

Dear Kohr-Ah

In Islam not allowed to eat pigs. It is mention in Koran not to eat it with explainations.

Of course in case there are no alternative , you can eat it ........
In case people did not find food , they allowed to eat anything to save their lives!

[AnnaMarie]

I am not a Muslim but I still don't eat it.Its sooo gross!!!!I had a prok shop once I couldn't get through the first bite it was soo chewy and icky ewwwww.trust me no one is missing out on anything!!!:)

[ibn ul ibn aadam]

Originally posted by bintmasood
Peace,

Pigs are dirty animals, and carry a lot of illnesses, many of which can be 'caught' by humans. They eat just about anything, including dirt, so on the health basis, pig meat is not allowed.

Pigs also have tapeworms which can be transfered to the human gut when a person eats pork that has not been heated correctly.

If you like have NOTHING else to eat, and are sure to die or get severly ill, and pork is the only thing available, then I believe you can eat it.

" ..He has forbidden you only the maitah (dead animals), and blood, and flesh of swine and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than allah, But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits - then there is no sin on him. Truly allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful"


But i dont think this situation would arise, so stick to veg when and if it does!

peace.

The reason for not eating it, may i point out, is not because it is filthy, but because of the ayah quoted.

I am sure you know that already, but just to those who do not. The animal being filthy etc, well maybe then that is part of the wisdom behind it, And Allah Knows Best.

[Consider]

Peace,

Yes, I should maybe have pointed out the ayah first, but sometimes when the other person is not a muslim, then they dont accept the qur'an, so I explain first scientifically (when I can) then point out the ayah in the qur'an that tells us....

hmmmm

[Outcider]

Bintmasoon believed: "Pigs are dirty animals, and carry a lot of illnesses, many of which can be 'caught' by humans."

Muslims have their beliefs (I don't eat dogs, snakes or molluscs), but let me correct your belief of pigs being filthy.

They are some of the cleanliest animals! Small pigs are even being kept as pets. They use certain quarters for their excrements, they sleep in others.

They don't suffer from the Mad Cow disease and the fat of pig meat is healthier to your heart than other types of fat.

To say that pigs are dirty and unhealthy is ridiculous. It's quite another thing if they are not permitted by Islam.

[Detailz]

It was explained to me along time ago where this all started. I have no idea if it is true or not, but it certainly made sense to me. There was an army preparing to do battle the next day. As usual they prepared a big feast of pork. It was under cooked and the army all came down with food poisoning. Those that could, went into battle the next day, and were soundly defeated. It was taken as a sign.

[Outcider]

Detailz, considering that there is a 50/50 chance that your story may be true, that there have been thousands of battles throughout years and that soldiers have eaten innumberable sorts of different dishes, you may well be right!

[haideriam]

To all,
It is clearly written in the Holy Bible that humankind is not to eat pork. The below are verses from Leviticus, and can be found in any Bible. also mentions the hare(rabbit)

New International Version:
Leviticus 11:
6 The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you.
7 And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.
8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.



King James Version:
Leviticus 11
6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.

The TRUTH shall always manifest itself to the clean hearted.

[Outcider]

Haideriam wrote: "It is clearly written in the Holy Bible that humankind is not to eat pork. The below are verses from Leviticus, and can be found in any Bible. also mentions the hare."

Don't you think that science makes advances and we now know much more than 2000 years ago? Would anyone have believed then that a man can walk on the moon? Our beliefs of what is healthy have changed in several matters.

[jamila]

Originally posted by Outsider
Haideriam wrote: "It is clearly written in the Holy Bible that humankind is not to eat pork. The below are verses from Leviticus, and can be found in any Bible. also mentions the hare."

Don't you think that science makes advances and we now know much more than 2000 years ago? Would anyone have believed then that a man can walk on the moon? Our beliefs of what is healthy have changed in several matters.

Meaning what? God is wrong? Estaghfurallah.

[Banu]

The article listed below is copied from the following site:

www.mitch5597.freeserve.co.uk/fundocs/pork.htm

WHY PORK IS FORBIDDEN IN ISLAM?
A lot of people misconstrue Islam's forbiddance of pork consumption as mere hearsay but it's actually based on real medical facts as illustrated below. The following was discovered many centuries ago upon the dawn of Islam but no logical explanation was ever offered on the rule... until now. If you pour Coke (yes, the soda) on a slab of pork, and wait a little while, you will see worms crawl out of it.
A message from the Health Corporation of Singapore about the bad effects of pork consumption. Pig's bodies contain many toxins, worms and latent
diseases. Although some of these infestations are harboured in other animals, modern veterinarians say that pigs are far more predisposed to these illnesses than other animals. This could be because pigs like to scavenge and will eat any kind of food, including dead insects, worms, rotting carcasses, rete (including their own), garbage, and other pigs. Influenza (flu) is one of the most famous illnesses which pigs share with humans. This illness is harboured in the lungs of pigs during the summer months and tends to affect pigs and humans in the cooler months. Sausage contains bits of pigs' lungs, so those who eat pork sausage tend to suffer more during epidemics of influenza. Pig meat contains excessive quantities of histamine and imidazole compounds, which can lead to itching and inflammation; growth hormone which promotes inflammation and growth; sulphur containing mesenchymal mucus which leads to swelling and deposits of mucus in tendons and cartilage, resulting in arthritis, rheumatism, etc. Sulphur helps cause firm human tendons and ligaments to be replaced by the pig's soft mesenchymal tissues, and degeneration of human cartilage. Eating pork can also lead to gallstones and obesity, probably due to its high cholesterol and saturated fat content. The pig is the main carrier of the taenia solium worm, which is found in its flesh. These tapeworms are found in human intestines with greater frequency in nations where pigs are eaten. This type of tapeworm can pass through the intestines and affect many other organs, and is incurable once it reaches beyond a certain stage. One in six people in the US and Canada has trichinosis from eating trichina worms, which are found in pork. Many people have no symptoms to warn them of this, and when they do, they resemble symptoms of many other illnesses. These worms are not noticed during meat inspections.

But for Muslims the Prohibition is enough as Outsider mentioned. Even if the above is proof otherwise it would still be prohibited.

[Sultan]

Originally posted by Outsider
Bintmasoon believed: "Pigs are dirty animals, and carry a lot of illnesses, many of which can be 'caught' by humans."

Muslims have their beliefs (I don't eat dogs, snakes or molluscs), but let me correct your belief of pigs being filthy.

They are some of the cleanliest animals! Small pigs are even being kept as pets. They use certain quarters for their excrements, they sleep in others.

They don't suffer from the Mad Cow disease and the fat of pig meat is healthier to your heart than other types of fat.

To say that pigs are dirty and unhealthy is ridiculous. It's quite another thing if they are not permitted by Islam.

Actually, foot and mouth disease which infected livestock throughout the UK last year, came from imported pigs.

Clean they are not. They are happy to roll around in their own ****. and they'll eat anything-garbage, their own excrement, etc.

Pork has perhaps a higher fat content that that of other animals. so how could it be healthier for your heart?

[Outcider]

Originally posted by Sultan


Actually, foot and mouth disease which infected livestock throughout the UK last year, came from imported pigs.

Clean they are not. They are happy to roll around in their own ****. and they'll eat anything-garbage, their own excrement, etc.

Pork has perhaps a higher fat content that that of other animals. so how could it be healthier for your heart?

---

Sultan, let me tell you something. Pigs do carry foot and mouth disease just as cattle. There I agree with you.

But to say that pigs are not clean animals obviously is due to what you have been told. My parents were farmers and even had pigs now and then and it was quite astonishing to notice even as a small child that they never rolled in their own ****, as you claim. There was a certain corner which was kept away from the "living quarters". This never happens with cows, which my parents also kept.

Did you look at the pet page I gave? How would a dirty animal be kept as a pet?

The third claim again seems to be due to ignorance. Pork fat is softer than cattle fat and therefore considerably better to the heart. Consult non-Muslim experts!

[Outcider]

Sultan, the link to the pet page was in another thread, but to save everybody the trouble of finding it, here it is again: http://www.upprs.com/

[Gengis_Khan]

outsider: If your a hindu your not allowed to eat animal fleash.

outsider: If your a christian your not suppose to eat pork either


Leviticus 11

The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them: 2Speak to the people of Israel, saying:
From among all the land animals, these are the creatures that you may eat. 3Any animal that has divided hoofs and is cleft-footed and chews the cud--such you may eat. 4But among those that chew the cud or have divided hoofs, you shall not eat the following: the camel, for even though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you. 5The rock badger, for even though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you. 6The hare, for even though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you. 7The pig, for even though it has divided hoofs and is cleft-footed, it does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. 8Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean for you.



and therein falls the house of cards that seeker built

[Outcider]

Gengis_Khan, neither! As my nickname implies, I'm an outsider, I haven't yet found or needed any religion that would be better than the others. I think scientists of today know better than I do what is good to eat and what it not. Agree?

[pooya]

a follow up to the whole pig debate. the reason domesticated pigs have always been so common in many parts of the middle east is not for food, but because they serve a someone useful and unique purpose( or so i've been told.)

historically, whenever people would have to do "#2" , there were pits in which one "did their "business". what happened to the poop ? there was a pig on the other side ready to eat it. so pigs may serve a purpose, but would you really want to eat an animal that eats poop ?

[haideriam]

hey,

are we forgetting the rabbit

[Outcider]

All those of you who can't stand pigs, did you know that pigs resemble humans more than any other commonly available animals? May sound incredible, but there is indeed at least one application where pigs are better than any other animals.

Police corps in Europe, maybe elsewhere as well, examine holes of bullets using pigs. Their skin is very much like human skin and flesh. The calibre, direction etc. of a bullet can often be determined with the help of pigs.

I wonder what animals are used in Muslim countries or do they just buy the know-how from abroad.

Testing with animals is not necessarily to my liking, just in case somebody thought...

[Outcider]

Originally posted by ibn ul ibn aadam
They(We Muslims) probably just test it on kuffar.. if its a dud then Qadar Allah ma sha faa.

Sorry, Ibn ul Ibn Aadam, but your words made no sense whatsoever. There are some participants on this forum who just about understand English. Were the few additional words, which you seemed to master, Arabic?

[TheJackal]

Hormonal and Behavioral Effect of Pork and Fat Ingestion
Pork and pig fat is not only prohibited in the Quran, but also in the Bible because "swine were designed to be scavengers, to eat up filth." In the Old Testament, Leviticus Chapter 7-8, it is mentioned about swine, "Though he divides the hoof and be cloven-footed, yet he chews not the cud, he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall you not eat." There is no mention in the Bible that Jesus (peace be upon him) ever ate pork in his life. It was Paul (a Jew pretending to be a Christian) who declared all food and drink permissible saying, "To the pure, everything is pure."

The Habits of Swine
To get a first hand idea, I interviewed farmers of Fisher, Indiana, who breed swine. According to them, "Swine is cheaper to bread, since it does not require pasture. It can live on manure and other such items including dead meat. In fact it can eat its own feces. Their sexual habits are also different than other animals like cows, sheep and goats. They have very little shame i.e. engage in sex acts anytime any place while others wait for darkness. The female hog is very aggressive in sexual activity. When she is in "heat" she does not care about anything (i.e. food or privacy) until she has sex. Swine, also lick the genitalia of their partners after sex like dogs, but unlike other mammals like cows, sheep or goats."

Why is Pork Fat Different From Other Animal Fat?
Fats are lipids, which are a source of energy. They can be of vegetable source or animal source. Triglycerides are neutral fats with 1 molecule of glycerol and 3 fatty acids. The fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated. The more unsaturated fats have high melting points. The iodine value of fat gives the degree of saturation. The iodine value of lard is 65, beef 45, and mutton (lamb/goat) 32. If a person eats the fat of a herbivorous animal, the fat will be hydrolyzed, absorbed, and then resynthesized and stored as human fat, while that of carnivorous fat will not be hydrolyzed and therefore has to be deposited in humans as pork fat in the adipose tissue.

Deposition of Pork Fat in Relation to Hormone & Behavior in Humans
Circulating hormones are in bound from and free form. The free form has to be attached to the receptor in fat tissue before becoming active. Obesity decreases the number of receptors. Therefore hormones cannot utilize them. Thefore, if the hormone is insulin, it leads to diabetes (type 2), and if it is testosterone, it leads to sub fertility and amenorrhea. The amount of fat also controls hormone release. Therefore we see menarche (first menses) is delayed in athletic girls with less fat, and occurs early in sedentary overweight girls.

It can be postulated that in humans who have pork human fat deposit, there is derangement in the binding of hormones. It is possible that sexual promiscuity and deviant sexual practices of pork eating society is due to what they eat! After all, it has been said by nutrionist, "You are what you eat."

[TheJackal]

"Pork prohibited?" were the first words uttered by my new American friend, accompanied by a strange look on his face, when I told him that I can't eat the pepperoni pizza which he had offered me so generously. Having grown up in a Muslim society and accepting most of the teachings of Islam without questioning, I had never thought of investigating this rather trivial issue. So, there I was speechless, looking at his face, as if that would solve the matter. Finally, after a brief interval, as a face saving move I told him that it's a religious thing. Later on when the whole ordeal was over, I found myself asking the same question. Therefore I decided to scrutinize this topic. The findings were shocking, both to me and to my friend.

Now a days, people are not as much "religious conscious " as they are "medical conscious". In other words if you tell them that its forbidden in your religion, you are labeled as a wet blanket. But if you explain how this can ruin their health and figure (especially ladies) or how harmful and in some cases fatal it can be to them, only then will they pay any attention. What I am about to present is both from the religious as well as medical point of view. The idea is to cater to the needs of both types of audiences.

God wants us to be clean and pure both physically as well as spiritually. Science lays great emphasis on hygiene but neglects the importance of the cultivation of human nature in its purest form. The abstention from eating pork is just one of the steps taken by Islam to practice hygiene and to attain "purity of human nature". The nature of a pig is a very disgusting one. The pig is naturally lazy and indulgent in sex. It dislikes sun-light and lacks the spirit and will to 'fight'. The older it grows, the lazier it gets. It eats almost anything, be it faeces or anything dirty. It prefers dirty places to clean ones. It eats and sleeps only and hates to move around. It is the most avaricious of all domestic animals. Some people argue that the 'modern pig' is given only clean food and therefore its flesh should be consumable. The answer to this argument is this: you feed the pig with wholesome mash but you cannot change its nature. It is still a pig. A pig is not a plant that you can change by bud-grafting.

Islam is not the only religion in which pork is prohibited but other religions teach the same message also. For example; In Judaism, pork consumption is forbidden. The Jews believe in the Old Testament. It is clearly stated "And the swine, though he divided the hoof, and be clovenfooted,yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you. Leviticus (11:7-8). Also,"And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass. Deuteronomy(14:8). In Hinduism, the same principle is applied according to their teachings. In fact most of the Hindus are pure vegetarians especially the Brahmins (the highest cast of Hindus). In Buddhism, there are five principal commandments on which the religion is based and these are the prohibition of killing, adultery, stealing, telling lies and drinking intoxicants. This is extreme form of Buddhism and encourages vegetarianism only. In Christianity, it is also required of the followers to not consume pork. This makes sense as Christians believe unconditionally in the Old and New Testament. Some Christians however, claim that they are Christians now and no longer Jews. The answer to this is that the fundamental teachings of the church are based on the Old Testament. Also, the Ten Commandments, which are from the Old Testament, are strictly practiced and the Old and New Testament are bound into one which is called the Holy Bible.

In Islam, The Holy Quran mentions the prohibition of the flesh of swine is at three different places; in chapter 2 verse 173, chapter 6:145 and in chapter 16 verse 115 where God says, "Allah (God) 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." The phrase 'driven to need' also deserves some explanation. In instances such as a famine, when there is nothing else to eat, pork may be eaten just enough to save a life. If a man threatens to kill a Muslim and forces him to eat pork he can eat pork. This may sound strange but numerous incidents involving the above mentioned situations do take place.

In 1992, in the notorious 'Smith' decision, the Supreme Court ruled that freedom of religion MAY be bridged even in the absence of compelling state interest, provided the law apply to all groups and not just the members of a certain religion. Thus it is now legal to offer Muslim prisoners a diet of pork provided it is what is offered to other prisoners. This, by the way, was the issue that sparked the bloody Attica prison riot in the mid-Seventies. During the 'cultural revolution' in 1966, Muslims in China were subjected to varied and sadistic methods of humiliation, one of them was that they were forced to eat pork. During the down fall of Spain, the Christian government set up border stations outside former Muslim strongholds like Granada where any traveler passing through was forced to drink alcohol and eat pork. One may ask,"why Muslims only". The answer is that they are the only nation in the world today that observe this teaching strictly.

Blood is virtually our life and what we consume not just enters the intestines and become excreta but also ultimately affects the circulation system, it is therefore necessary to exercise choice in the selection of our food and drink. That is why people are very careful in matters such as selecting the right kind of mushrooms or oysters but when it comes to pork, they don't even give it a second thought. This is because pork is not so poisonous as to kill on the spot. It should be clearly understood that the flesh of any animal or even vegetables, contains infectious germs but pork is the greatest cradle of harmful germs and parasites among all meats which are known to human beings. The more scientists study pork, the more they dread it.

The following list shows just a few kinds of germs and parasites that are found in pork and the diseases that they are responsible for.

Fasciolopsis Buski, remain latent for a long time in the pig's small intestines. When people eat the infected meat they suffer from digestive disorders, then persistent diarrhea. The whole body then swells, due to the oedema of the tissues under the skin. Round Worms are 9 to 10" long also known as "travelling worm" cause pneumonia if present in the lungs of man, suffocation if in the air-tubes and jaundice if in the intestines by creating intestinal obstruction. Hook Worms enter the human body by piercing the skin or through any wound causing a peculiar itch. Diarrhea is the chief complain. In children, their development and growth is checked and they become easy prey for other infectious diseases.

Paragonimus, discovered by Dr. Masson in 1880, live in the lungs of the pig causing pneumonia. There is still no means of killing this parasite in the tissues, neither has anyone found a method of expelling it. Patients having this infection suffer from cough with rusty sputum and have repeated attacks of profuse bleeding of the lungs.

Metastrongylus Apri, is a short and slender parasite whose presence in man's lungs leads to bronchitis and pneumonia. Swine Erysipelas are found in the skin of the pig; always ready to pierce the skin of anyone in close contact with pigs through handling them. This results in fever and inflammation of the human skin.

Tubercle Bacillis, are parasites in pigs that are conveyed to the man via infected pork. The above information is extracted from an article written by Dr. Muhammad Ja'afar in the "Islamic Review of London " of January 1957 and from "Essential Review on Agriculture-Veterinary", No.12 vol 2(1959) of Taiwan. According to the following table from "A Study of Nutrition", published by Chung Ch'eng Press of Taiwan, the fat content in pork is the highest among all meats. MEAT PERCENTAGE OF FAT Fat pork 91% Fat beef 35% Lean pork 29% Lean beef 6% If you take two pieces of flesh pork and beef both of the same age and put them in the sun; the pork will rot first and then beef, but if the same meats are cooked, pork will be the last to be cooked. According to medical research, beef requires three hours to be digested but pork needs four hours.

I think that I have shed enough light on this topic to convince any type of audience that all pork products may they be lard, pepperoni, bacon or ham are equally harmful and should not be consumed in any shape or form. I don't know about you but my ' friend' has not touched pork since he read this.

[abdulhakeem]

:eek: I'm a strawberry???

[TheJackal]

lol, hey whats with avatar? almost looks like a stuffed chicken? :confused:

[Ruqayyah]

Originally posted by TheJackal
lol, hey whats with avatar? almost looks like a stuffed chicken? :confused:

It's very camp. Must be all the strawberries he's been eating!

[abdulhakeem]

Originally posted by Ruqayyah
It's very camp. Must be all the strawberries he's been eating!

Nah, Bush makes me sick

[Ruqayyah]

"Effects Of Prohibited Foods, Intoxicants, And Ingredients
On Human Hormones And Behavior"
Shahid Athar, M.D.


Quranic Prohibitions:

FOOD:

2: 173
" He has forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and flesh of swine , and on which any other name has been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity without willful disobedience, nor transgressing, due limits.... than he is not guilty, for Allah is forgiving, merciful."

5:4 [
" Forbidden to you are: Dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine and that on which has been invoked a name other than Allah's, and that killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death: That which has been eaten by a wild animal: Unless you are able to slaughter it, that which has been sacrificed on stone: (forbidden) also is the divination of arrows: that is impiety."

6:145
"Say: I find not in the Message received by me by inspiration any meat forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat of it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine, for it is an abomination, - or what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than God's. But even so, if a person is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, - Your Lord is Oft-Forgiving , Most Merciful."

16:115
"He has-only forbidden you dead meat, and blood; and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than God has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, - Your Lord is Oft-Forgiving , Most Merciful."



INTOXICANTS:
2:219
"They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them there is great sin, and some profit, for men, but sin is greater than the profit."

4:43
"O you who believe! Approach not prayers, with a mind befogged, until you can understand all that you say."

5:90 "O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satan's handiwork. Avoid such (abomination) that you may prosper."

5:91
"Satan's plan is to sow enmity and hatred among you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you not then give up."


PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH)ON THE SUBJECT OF LAWFUL AND PROHIBITED.

I. "That which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regards to his religion and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful."
(narrated by Abu Abdullah An Numan Bin Bashar-R.A. Reported in Bukhari and Muslim.)

2. "Allah the Almighty has laid down religious duties, so do not neglect them; He has set boundaries, so do not cross them; He has prohibited some things, so do not violate them; about some things. He was silent out of compassion for you, not due to forgetfulness-, so do not seek after them."
(narrated by Abu Tbalaba Al Khushani Jurtum Bin Nashir-R.A.reported in Ad-Daraqutni.)

3. "Allah the Almighty is pure and accepts only that which is pure. Allah has asked the believers to do that He asked the messengers, and the Almighty has said: (23:5 1) " 0 you messengers! Eat of the pure things and do right."
And Allah the Almighty has said: (2:172) "O you who believe! Eat of the pure things that we have provided you." Then the Prophet (pbuh) gave example of a man tired and dusty after a long journey, raises his hands to the sky and says: "O Lord! 0 Lord!".. while his food is unlawful, Ns drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can his prayers be answered?"
(Narrated by Abu Huraira-R.A. reported in Muslim.)


INTRODUCTION:
It is not required of the believer to always find a scientific justification for the divine prohibitions.However, if they look and find it, they must share the information, that will increase their faith. To the contrary, lack of confirmation should not question the authenticity of the Quran. We believe that all Quranic statements are true, and if science has not confirmed some of them yet, it will do so in the future, may be it needs to examine its data more deeply or repeat the experiment.

For the benefits of non-medical readers, before I describe the topic in question i.e. hormonal and behavioral effect of prohibited food, intoxicants and ingredients, I must define some medical terms and inter-relationships:

HORMONES:
These are the powerful secretions of Endocfine (internal) glands. They control the functions of all organs, and even individual cells. They are made from proteins (peptides) or sterols in nature. The endocrine glands are hypothalmus which secretes various releasing hormones for pituitary, and pituitary which secretes hormones for target endocrine glands. Both of them are inside the brain. Target endocrine glands are thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control our metabolism, energy level, and temperature tolerance. Behind them are para-thyroid gland which control our calcium metabolism. In the abdomen are adrenal glands above the kidneys which secrete cortisone, the life saving essential hormone, and catecholamines and aldosterone which control our blood pressure and heart-rate. steroids and catecholamines are derived from cholesterol. Also in the abdomen is the pancreas which secretes insulin which lowers blood sugar, and glycogen which raises a low blood sugar. Lower down in the pelvis are gonads, ovaries in women, and testes in men, which secrete estrogen, progesterone and testosterone respectively. All these hormones have internal control, and influence each other. They control our growth, muscle mass, bone development, temperature tolerance, blood pressure, energy, fertility, sex desire, thirst, and well being in general.

HOW DO HORMONES AFFECT BEHAVIOR:
The site of secretion of releasing hormone, and of neurotransmitter in the brain are the same in the hypothalmic area. Most of the psychotropic drugs either act by increasing or decreasing the neurotransmitter levels i.e epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine or endorphrin level in the hypothalmic area. Similarly, peurotransmitters influence hormone secretion.

Clinically we see various behavioral manifestations in endocrine disorders.
Hypoglycemic patients (low blood sugar) suffer from depression and poor mental concentration and patients with low thyroid have impotency and depression, while patients with high thyroid have agitation, irritability, and lack of sleep. Patients with low cortisone (Addison Disease) have severe depression while with high cortisone have hallucination and psychosis. Patients with high testosterone have been claimed to have criminal tendencies (i.e. rapists) while low testosterone have behavioral problems in adjustment. Patients with calcium changes.

Physiologically, boys and girls are different in playing behavior i.e.
aggressive versus passive (playing with mechanical toys and guns versus dolls) due to difference in their sex hormone even in pre-pubertal age. This becomes more obvious after full sex differentiation takes place. In fact, by changing the sex hormone level of a given sex one can change not only the sexual behavior but the aggressiveness of a particular sex. Homosexual males have been noted to have less male sex hormones, and on the other hand, repeated sex offending males can be "cured" by castration or by the injection of the female hormone progesterone. In one experiment, female rats whose mothers were treated with testosterone while pregnant showed male behavior pattern of threatening peer, rough play, and increased sexual activity as compared to a control rat. This shows that testosterone not only affects the individual, but the offspring as well. Girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (excessive testosterone secretion) when in post puberty age show tomboy attitude with liking rough sports, preferring boys as playmates, and low interest in dolls and baby care. Sexual behavior is not only affected by testosterone, but also by the pineal gland which is turned off and on by light and darkness.

Hormones, not directly but indirectly by controlling\sugar, calcium, sodium balance,affect behavior in general to include anger, love, anxiety, panic attacks, and agitation. The hyperactivity in children could be due to low blood sugar or due to many food preservatives and coloring agent like nitrites, and Dye No. 5.

After this much introduction of hormones, and behavior, I turn to the main theme.

HORMONAL AND BEHAVIORAL EEFFECT OF PORK MEAT AND FAT INGESTION:
Pork meat and fat are not only prohibited to Muslims, but were also prohibited to Jews and Christians as well because "Swine were designed to be scavengers, to eat up filth." In old testament Leviticus Chapter 7-8, it is mentioned about swine " Though he divides the hoof and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud, he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall you not eat." There is no mention in the Bible that Jesus ever ate pork in his life. It was Paul who declared all food and drink permissible saying, "To the pure, everything is pure."

THE LIFE OF THE SWINE:
"Swine is cheaper to breed, since it does not
require pasture, it can live on manure and other such items including dead meat. In fact, it can even eat its own feces. Their sexual habits are also different from other animals like cow, sheep and goat. Swine have very little shame i.e. engage in sex acts anytime anyplace. The female hog is very aggressive in sexual activities when she is in "heat" she does not care about anything (i.e. food or privacy) until she has the sex. They i.e. swine, also lick the genitals of their partners after sex like dogs, but not other mammals like cow, sheep or goat."

WHY IS PORK FAT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ANIMAL FAT:
Fats are lipids which are a source of energy. They can be of vegetable source or of animal source. Triglycerides are neutral fats with 1 molecule of glycerol and three fatty acids. The fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated.The more unsaturated fats have high melting points. The iodine value of fat gives the degree of un saturation. The iodine value of lard is 65, beef 45, and mutton 32. After ingestion, emulsification of fat takes place in the stomach by gastric lipase. By pancreatic lipase hydrolysis of triglyceride into glycerol and fatty acids takes place. The fatty acids and glycerol are used by various tissues like muscle, heart, kidney, and liver for an energy source. Herbivorous (plant eating) animals have unsaturated fatty acid on the position 2 of the triglyceride (tg) molecule, while the carnivorous (meat eating )animals have saturated fatty acid at the position 2. Pancreatic lipase (pl) can not hydrolyze TG molecule if saturated fatty acid at position 2. Fat of dogs, rats, cats, and pork, have saturated fatty acids on positions 2. If a person eats fat of herbivomus animal, the fat will be hydrolyzed, absorbed, and then re synthesized and stored as human fat, while that of carnivorous animals and pork fat will not be hydrolyzed and therefore has to be deposited in humans as pork fat in the adipose tissue.

WHAT HAS DEPOSITION OF PORK FAT TO DO WITH HORMONE AND BEHAVIOR IN HUMANS:
Circulating hormones are in bound form and free form. The free form has to be attached to receptor in fat tissue before becoming active. Obesity decreases the number of receptors therefore the hormones cannot be utilized.
Therefore, if the hormone is insulin, it leads to diabetes (type 2); and if it is testosterone, it leads to sub fertility and amenorrhea. The amount of fat also controls hormone release. Therefore we see menarche is delayed in athletic girls with less fat, and occurs early in sedentary overweight girls.

It can be postulated that in humans who have pork fat deposit there is derangement in the binding of hormones, therefore they have a higher level of circulating active hormone. It is possible that the sexual promiscuity and deviant sexual practices of pork eating society is due to what they eat ! After all, it has been said by nutritionists, "Yor are what you eat."
Since this is a paper on hormones and behavior, the time does not permit discussing the effect of pork on cholesterol, sodium and the relationship to heart disease.

EFFECTS OF DEAD MEAT AND BLOOD INGESTION:
Dead meat is the meat of animal which died before slaughtering and blood could not flow out, and blood ingestion is not only the drinking of blood as it was prevalent in the Jahiliya of Arabia or even now in Africa (and in France) but also the blood which is retained inside the meat by improper killing of the animal. All hormones, and antibodies are retained in the blood, and all infective organisms including virus flourish in the blood media, therefore ingestion of such will be dangerous midecally. It may also induce animal instincts as seen in carnivorous animals like dogs, cats, and lions.

HORMONAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL:
Both in acute and chronic alcoholism, endocrine glands are affected. Hypoglycemia is a manifestation of acute alcoholism which may be severe, and can lead to coma. This should be recognized and treated with dextrose intravenously since it mat not respond to glycogen. Low magnesium with resultant low calcium is another effect resulting in poor concentration, muscle twitching and even seizure. Increase in urine flow is due to depression of antidiuretic hormone.

Chronic alcoholism leads to pancreatitis with failure of pancreatic
endocrine system (sometimes Diabetes) and exocrine gland (malnutrition).
This leads to protein deficiency leading to reduced production of
testosterone, which may lead to impotency, gynecomastia in men and amenorrhea in women. Alcoholics can also have a pseudo (false) cushing syndrome. Alcohol related liver disease causes increased clearance of testosterone with testicular atrophy leading to true hypogonadism. Sperm formation is also affected leading to infertility. Infants born to an alcoholic mother can also have undercended testes and labial hypoplasia. In addition, the cortisol levels are increased during withdrawal, while LH and LH-RH levels are suppressed during chronic alcoholism.

BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL:
Alcohol, being a central nervous system depressant, depresses both facilitatory and inhibitory pathways. It is the suppression of the latter that abolishes the shame and removes control. Therefore, what a normal person will be prevented from doing i.e. abusive language, undressing in public, etc. will not be prevented under the influence of alcohol. There are more serious behavioral disorders described to include brain disjunction in 50- 70%, memory loss, depression both acute and chronic, high suicide rate, mood fluctuation, delirium tremorous (DTS) in withdrawal state, and blackout spells during drinking. One-third of all auto accidents are due to
alcoholism. Under the influence of alcohol are mental judgement and motor skills, which are both affected. Sometimes the level of consciousness is also affected. Alcohol had been found to be at the root of family violence, sexual violence, rape, assault, and child abuse.

Alcohol is not an aphrodisiac, as it is claimed. Not only does it depress the central nervous system's effect on the libido, but actually lowers the penile blood flow and tumescence (swelling) thereby decreasing the performance.

EFFECTS OF NARCOTICS (COCAINE & MARIJUANA) ON HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR:
Both LSD and cocaine cause decreases in plasma testosterone and LH. The aphrodisiac effect is due to local anesthesia causing prolonged erection and central stimulation causing general well being. Also by inhibiting the inhibitions, they encourage engagement in unusual sex acts like sodomy.

Psychologically they cause mood elation and a false sense of euphoria followed by depression, anxiety and agitation Panic attacks, suicidal tendencies, and violent behaviors are not uncommon. Chronic usage may lead to schizophrenia, paranoia, and a variety of psychiatric disorders, even infants born to cocaine addicted mothers show signs of withdrawal.

EFFECTS OF INGREDIENTS ON HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR:
If ingredients are of prohibited nature, i.e. pork, lard, alcohol, cocaine etc., the effect will be as described earlier, though because of the small quantity, the effect will be slow and may be cumulative.

More serious are items like sugar which causes reactive hypoglycemia; sodium which may lead to hypertension; DES (Diethylstillbestrol, a female hormone given to cattle and chickens to increase fat and muscle content) linked to vaginal and cervical cancer in women; and artificial sweeteners like saccharine related to bladder cancer in rats, and aspartame related to brain damage.

CONCLUSION:
More research is needed on all of the above areas, especially those affecting the life style of Muslims. Though usage of prohibited items are not commonly found in Muslims, the dangers also may come to their health and spirits by the effects of non-prohibited items like western rock music, dress (i.e. tight jeans affecting testicular temperature) and sexual practices, and cigarette smoking.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
SELECTED REFERENCES:
1. - Qur'an;2:173,5:4,6:145,16:115,2:219,4:43,5:98,5:91
2. - Yusaf Al Qardawi; The Lawful and Prohibited in Islam: 39-61.
3. - Hussaini, M.M. and A.H. Sakr. 1983, Islamic Dietary Laws and
Practices, Published by the Islamic Food and Nutiition Council of
America, Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.
4. -William,R.H.;Test Book of Endocrinolocy. 6th edition:chapter on
Psychoendocrinology.
5. - Felig & Baxter; Endocrinology and Metabolism.
6. - Goodart & Shils; Modern Nutrition in Health And Disease: 6th edition.
7. -Badri,M.B.; Islam and Alcoholism: ATP Publication, lndianapolis.
8. - Saud, M.A.; Sex Roles in Muslim Families in U.S.A.; Published in Al-ittihad.
9. - Drucker, WM.; Endocrinc Abnormalities caused by Alcobolism;
Medical Aspect of Human Sexuality-Vol. 16, No. 12, Dec. 1982.
10. - Eckardt et a]; Health Hazard Associated with Alcohol Consumption: JAMA
1981.
11. - Washton and Stone; Human Cost of Cocaine Use; Medical Aspects
of Human Sexuality-Vol. 18, No. II, Nov. 1984.

[abdulhakeem]

Have you forgotten the prohibition to eat the meat of donkeys? While the meat of horses and camels is allowed. Though camel meat invalidates wudu (don't know about horse meat).

[Hesperian]

"It is possible that sexual promiscuity and deviant sexual practices of pork eating society is due to what they eat"

"They have very little shame i.e. engage in sex acts anytime any place while others wait for darkness. The female hog is very aggressive in sexual activity. When she is in "heat" she does not care about anything (i.e. food or privacy) until she has sex."

Is this for real? I can understand the health issues involved, but to suggest that an animal is somehow immoral sounds really silly. To postulate that their flesh can turn someone kinky stretches credibility. Do you know what this sounds like to a Kaffir?
Oh. My. God. There is a species of animal out there where the females like sex! AND IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU! Protect yourself! Avoid all contact with these sinful creatures!

Sorry, but it is a silly assumption and it deserves a silly response.

There are some other misconceptions about the lowly pig...

"It dislikes sun-light and lacks the spirit and will to 'fight'."

Pigs sunburn. They have the good sense to not seek out a tan. And pigs can be very aggressive; wild hogs are difficult to kill especially if they are angry, which is often. If they seem lazy in captivity, its because they were bred that way, but they were not created lazy. Plus, what else can you do if you are a pig on a farm?

"It prefers dirty places to clean ones."

Pigs wallow in mud to protect their skin and cool off. Many other animals do the same. If given a choice, they will always pick uncontaminated mud. Its just that in captivity, they don't get to choose. Pigs are actually pretty clean animals, on the animal clean scale.

"It eats and sleeps only and hates to move around."

Unless it is sex-crazed... Pigs are the only animals which won't overeat. Not even humans can say that. If domestic pigs are fat, it's because they have been bred for generations to be fat. But that can change quickly.

"... you cannot change its nature. It is still a pig."

This is actually true. If you take an ordinary lazy farm pig and release it into the wild, its offspring won't look at all like its parent. Dark instead of pink, a coat of bristles, razor sharp tusks and an attitude. And not an inch of fat anywhere.

[MalcomBanned4?]

By far the dirtiest anmil on the farm: Chickens! What animal will eat itself to death if allowed to? Turkey! What were pigs like 1500 years ago? More like modern pigs or wild boars?

[peace2u]

Originally posted by abdulhakeem
Have you forgotten the prohibition to eat the meat of donkeys? While the meat of horses and camels is allowed. Though camel meat invalidates wudu (don't know about horse meat).

Salaam

I didn't know horse meat was permitted to eat in Islam!!! yuck, and they are one of my favorite animals.

Wa Salaam

[nam]

Sallaam

Off the topic of eating swine....has anyone ever gone bore (sp?) hunting? Where i used to live it was really really popular...as they would say...'we went piggen and shooten with the dogs'...i havn't been yet but i think i want to go. They are really hard to kill as they have really thick skin...and they are also very aggressive.

Peace...Horses a favourite animal...i like horses as well...but seriously...imagine what kinda steak you could make from one of them :)...j/k

Allah Hafiz

Nam ("Lack of o2 to the brain causes a happy happy state" Nam 03/03/03)

[Hesperian]

I know some people who also hunt them. They invited me out and I thought about going, but I don't think I could stand seeing the dogs getting torn up. They use pit bulls and a pig hunting dog has a short lifespan. I've heard that some brave souls hunt them with spears; that would be a rush and more of a fair fight.

Malcolm, 1500 years ago I think pigs were domesticated, but not the breeds we know today. They ran simi wild back then. You're right about the chickens. Now there is a stinky animal that will take a peck at anything, including another chicken if it looks weak. I understand turkeys are so dumb they drown in rainstorms because they stare at the sky with beaks open.

[AmusedII]

I've been Boar hunting before and have taken two boars, one with a pistol and one with a bow. We didn't use dogs on either hunt, wild pigs are similar to Deer in that they use the same trail over and over again so not everyone uses dogs.

I've pretty much stopped hunting, just kind of lost my liking for it. I occasionally go upland bird hunting as I have a GS pointer and love to watch him work.

By the way, wild boars and even domestic ones are very very aggressive and dangerous. That statement about them not being willing to fight is absolutely ridiculous (as well as some of the other statements).

[MalcomBanned4?]

So is wild Boar still pork? I understand turkeys are so dumb they drown in rainstorms because they stare at the sky with beaks open. I've heard that but thought it had to be an UL.

[Tovah]

One reason Maimonides gives for the prohibition of eating pork is that it is too close to human flesh - YES - human flesh. If you think about it - when they replace heart valves they use pig valves because they aren't rejected.

Pigs are very intelligent animals as well.

Maimonides tells a story of a circus being in a village - they were serving up a big pot of stew (supposedly pork) and one townsman found a HUMAN FINGER in his bowl! YIKES!!!!!

If that won't turn a person off from ever wanting to eat pork, I don't think anything will.

[TheJackal]

Originally posted by Hesperian
"It is possible that sexual promiscuity and deviant sexual practices of pork eating society is due to what they eat"

"They have very little shame i.e. engage in sex acts anytime any place while others wait for darkness. The female hog is very aggressive in sexual activity. When she is in "heat" she does not care about anything (i.e. food or privacy) until she has sex."

Is this for real? I can understand the health issues involved, but to suggest that an animal is somehow immoral sounds really silly. To postulate that their flesh can turn someone kinky stretches credibility. Do you know what this sounds like to a Kaffir?
Oh. My. God. There is a species of animal out there where the females like sex! AND IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU! Protect yourself! Avoid all contact with these sinful creatures!

Sorry, but it is a silly assumption and it deserves a silly response.

There are some other misconceptions about the lowly pig...

"It dislikes sun-light and lacks the spirit and will to 'fight'."

Pigs sunburn. They have the good sense to not seek out a tan. And pigs can be very aggressive; wild hogs are difficult to kill especially if they are angry, which is often. If they seem lazy in captivity, its because they were bred that way, but they were not created lazy. Plus, what else can you do if you are a pig on a farm?

"It prefers dirty places to clean ones."

Pigs wallow in mud to protect their skin and cool off. Many other animals do the same. If given a choice, they will always pick uncontaminated mud. Its just that in captivity, they don't get to choose. Pigs are actually pretty clean animals, on the animal clean scale.

"It eats and sleeps only and hates to move around."

Unless it is sex-crazed... Pigs are the only animals which won't overeat. Not even humans can say that. If domestic pigs are fat, it's because they have been bred for generations to be fat. But that can change quickly.

"... you cannot change its nature. It is still a pig."

This is actually true. If you take an ordinary lazy farm pig and release it into the wild, its offspring won't look at all like its parent. Dark instead of pink, a coat of bristles, razor sharp tusks and an attitude. And not an inch of fat anywhere.

Not only are infidels unclean they are also ignorant!
A silly response indeed.."Oh. My. God. There is a species of animal out there where the females like sex! AND IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU! Protect yourself! Avoid all contact with these sinful creatures!" -

- i dont even feel like going into details but that silly reply does require a response... its not a matter of females enjoying it, nothing wrong with them enjoying it however the female Pig, like the "Whores of the West" have turned their bodies into a 24 sex machine- did you know the Male Swines literally make a que!!

Pigs in the wild are "aggressive" if you corner them and try to eat them alive! however you will rarely see them Fight and Compete (like all other creatures) against one another for a Mate.

In all fairness the Pig is a "clever" animal, scientists have found many similarities between it and Humans (more so then Mice, and Monkeys) however the bottom line remains its forbidden to eat in Islam. Who knows? Maybe Allah has created them for a higher purpose? After all nothing is created in vain.

[TheJackal]

Originally posted by Tovah
One reason Maimonides gives for the prohibition of eating pork is that it is too close to human flesh - YES - human flesh. If you think about it - when they replace heart valves they use pig valves because they aren't rejected.

Pigs are very intelligent animals as well.

Maimonides tells a story of a circus being in a village - they were serving up a big pot of stew (supposedly pork) and one townsman found a HUMAN FINGER in his bowl! YIKES!!!!!

If that won't turn a person off from ever wanting to eat pork, I don't think anything will.

Tovah whats a maimonide? i guess it means someone who doesnt eat Pork?

[Details]

he was a person (rabbi?).... from spain i think(?) possibly cordoba. 12th century

[Tovah]

Originally posted by TheJackal
Tovah whats a maimonide? i guess it means someone who doesnt eat Pork?

Maimonides

(1135 Cordoba, Spain- 1204 Fustat, Egypt). Jewish philosopher and physician.
Maimonides was also known as Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, or Rambam. With worsened living conditions for Jews after the Almohads captured Cordoba in 1148, the family of Maimonides emigrated, and eventually settled in Egypt.
Maimonides worked as chief rabbi in Cairo, and as physician for Saladin.
Maimonides had great impact on Judaism and he added to Jewish law by writing the Misnah Torah which was completed between 1170 and 1180. The Misnah Torah was made up of 14 books, and written in Hebrew. It met strong resistance in its time, as it so thoroughly rearranged Rabbinic law, and because Maimonides did not clarify his sources, and with this appeared as more of an authority than he could justify.
His 13. Articles of Faith was also highly influential, and also controversial in its time, but is still adhered by many Jews. These creedal affirmations sought to clarify the difference between Judaism, and Islam and Christianity.
Moreh Nebukhim, or Guide for the Perplexed from 1190, attempted to reconcile Rabbinic Judaism with Aristotelian rationalism. This work dealt with the nature of God and creation, free will, good and evil. Guide for the Perplexed had strong impact also on the most important Christian philosophers in the following centuries. Maimonides stated that man cannot know anything with certainty about God, all that could be said of him, would have to be through negative statements: statements on what God is not. Maimonides also used allegorical interpretations on the antropomorph expressions on God, and provoked the many learned who read the Bible literally.
Maimonides was influential in other fields as well. He attacked astrology and its attempts to calculate the time of the coming of Messiah.
In the medical fields, Maimonides is now remembered most for his emphasis on preventive medicine.

[AbuMubarak]

chickens have two stomachs

pigs are forbidden, not because of any scientific relationships, but because Allah says so, thats it

regarding acting like the animals, i have heard that, who knows? but from a people who believe we come from fish and monkeys, i dont understand how this could be so amusing

[Hesperian]

"Maimonides tells a story of a circus being in a village - they were serving up a big pot of stew (supposedly pork) and one townsman found a HUMAN FINGER in his bowl! YIKES!!!!!"

YUCKY STATEMENT ALERT

You never know what those sneaky circus people are up to, but the finger may have been a pig part. Where I am, you can buy pork feet- pickled or fresh for cooking. Yeah, it is as gross as it sounds. Anyway, pigs feet look exactly like a human finger when they have been boned or whatever they do to prepare them. They are bigger and the nail (left on) is thicker, but apart from that, the resemblance is uncanny.

About Dumb Turkeys: By sheer coincidence, "Johnny Bravo" spent a segment staring up at the sky with some turkeys yesterday. It's gotta be true!

"you will rarely see them Fight and Compete (like all other creatures) against one another for a Mate."

So fighting is somehow the right thing to do? Making a queue is so much more civilized. We may have much to learn from the gentlemanly pig. I don't know which laid back pig commune gave you your information Jackal, but a boars in rut fight among themselves savagely.

[AbuMubarak]

hespi, if you saw another man approaching your mate, or worse, (i dont mean rape) you wouldnt fight him because you are "civilized"?

[MalcomBanned4?]

pigs are forbidden, not because of any scientific relationships, but because Allah says so, thats it If left at that, it's enough but claiming they're dirty (while dirtier animals are allowed) or calling them (in a nutshell) sluts just lacks commen sence.
Some animals fight to compete for mates some don't. Some whitetail deer will fight for weeks while in rut, abstaining from eating in the process at the same time. As a result some of them starve to death the following winter. Doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

[Ankaboot]

'You are what you eat'
My teacher told me that once....


i was eating..........



















a pack of..........................















sweets called...........














NERDS!!! :D

[seven]

this reminds me of an interesting convo i had with some kid on my street when i was a kid...

he asked me what football team i support and i said liverpool... "aaaah that means you eat liver! you're not a allowed to eat liver!" he said

then i asked him what team he supports and he replied "arsenal" :D need i say more? :rotfl:

[Ankaboot]

oh no!...we've ruined this thread :D
i'm not takin any more part in this sabotage...

PS....jus swallowed my chewing gum...it was all liquidated
:vomit:

[Tahiyah]

Pork: The Other White Meat?

By: Alyssa Samadi


"You are what you eat" - American proverb

In folkloric terms, eating the meat of the pig is said to contribute to lack of morality and shame, plus greed for wealth, laziness, indulgence, dirtiness and gluttony. We insult a person by calling him or her a "Pig" when they demonstrate these characteristics. Muslims are forbidden by God to eat the meat of the pig (pork). This is detailed in verses 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, and 16:115 of the Qur'an. An exemplary verse is quoted here:

"He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Is Pork Forbidden to Muslims Only?
The Jews and Christians are also forbidden from eating pork. Here is a quote from the Old Testament to that effect: "And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase." Deuteronomy 14:8 Many Christians believe that this verse was directed only at the Jews. But Jesus himself says during the Sermon on the Mount; "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Some Christians say that, after a vision by St. Peter, God cleansed all animals and made them fit and lawful for human consumption. If ALL animals are cleansed by Peter's vision, this includes dogs, cats, vultures, and rats: but you just don't see people getting excited about a cat-meat sandwich like they do over barbecued pork or bacon. Others say that it was Paul who rescinded the law forbidding pork to humans, in order to appease the Romans, who enjoyed the taste of pig-meat. Many excuses have been given, but none are very sound.

Many Far Eastern traditions also discourage the eating of pork. The 3,000 year old Confucian Book of Rites says, "A gentleman does not eat the flesh of pigs and dogs." Although many Chinese are avid eaters of pork today, physicians of ancient China recognized pork-eating as the root of many human ailments. Buddhists, Jains and Hindus usually avoid eating any kind of meat.

Bad effects of pork consumption
Pig's bodies contain many toxins, worms and latent diseases. Although some of these infestations are harbored in other animals, modern veterinarians say that pigs are far more predisposed to these illnesses than other animals. This could be because pigs like to scavenge and will eat any kind of food, including dead insects, worms, rotting carcasses, excreta (including their own), garbage, and other pigs.

Influenza (flu) is one of the most famous illnesses which pigs share with humans. This illness is harbored in the lungs of pigs during the summer months and tends to affect pigs and humans in the cooler months. Sausage contains bits of pigs' lungs, so those who eat pork sausage tend to suffer more during epidemics of influenza. Pig meat contains excessive quantities of histamine and imidazole compounds, which can lead to itching and inflammation; growth hormone, which promotes inflammation and growth; sulphur-containing mesenchymal mucus, which leads to swelling and deposits of mucus in tendons and cartilage, resulting in arthritis, rheumatism, etc. Sulphur helps cause firm human tendons and ligaments to be replaced by the pig's soft mesenchymal tissues, and degeneration of human cartilage. Eating pork can also lead to gallstones and obesity, probably due to its high cholesterol and saturated fat content. The pig is the main carrier of the taenia solium worm, which is found it its flesh. These tapeworms are found in human intestines with greater frequency in nations where pigs are eaten. This type of tapeworm can pass through the intestines and affect many other organs, and is incurable once it reaches beyond a certain stage. One in six people in the US and Canada has trichinosis from eating trichina worms which are found in pork. Many people have no symptoms to warn them of this, and when they do, they resemble symptoms of many other illnesses. These worms are not noticed during meat inspections, nor are they killed by salting or smoking. Few people cook the meat long enough to kill the trichinae. The rat (another scavenger) also harbors this disease. There are dozens of other worms, germs, diseases and bacteria which are commonly found in pigs, many of which are specific to the pig, or found in greater frequency in pigs.

Pigs are biologically similar to humans, and their meat is said to taste similar to human flesh. Pigs have been used for dissection in biology labs due to the similarity between their organs and human organs. People with insulin-dependent diabetes usually inject themselves with pig insulin.

Kindness to animals
Every creature was created by Allah for a purpose. The Prophet always encouraged being kind to animals. Although we should not eat the meat of the pig, it doesn't mean that we should hate pigs. We should show them the same kindness as any other animal, and not abuse or torture them. Pigs score high on tests devised to determine animal intelligence; in other words, they are very smart. It used to be that Europe people believed that pork would taste better if the pigs were kept in a state of filth, but this is not the natural inclination of the pig. When left to their own devices, it is said that pigs do not like to soil their sleeping quarters. As for their tendency to wallow in mud, that is done mainly to keep cool.

[AbuMubarak]

:p

[Ammarah]

The other white meat? Whats that supposed to mean?

[AbuMubarak]

in america, there used to be a commercial, calling pork, the other white meat

because white meat, meaning chicken and other types of meat, as opposed to beef, which is red meat

[Umar ibn al-Khattab]

why pork is forbidden in islam

i need very good web site.

is there any web site which is non-muslim write about why pork is forbidden?

jazak-Allah-khair.

[cruiser]

http://www.nppc.org/

[kaphirgoyim]

http://www.jewishfood-list.com/komedy/kosherpork01.html

Here's a GOOD ONE :d

[kaphirgoyim]

Cruiser, I did a lookup on NPPC, nothing about Kosher, or Islam there. My link is much better, and amusing.

[kaphirgoyim]

http://leb.net/pipermail/lexington-net/2000-February/001840.html

This one WILL give you a headache!

[AbuMubarak]

Q11. Why is the eating of pork forbidden in Islam?

Answer..

The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points explain various aspects of this prohibition:

1. Pork prohibited in Qur'ân

The Qur'ân prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. It is prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115.

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah." [Al-Qur'ân 5:3]

The above verses of the Holy Qur'ân are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden.



2. Pork prohibited in the Bible



The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus
"And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you". "Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you." [Leviticus 11:7-8]



Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy

"And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass." [Deuteronomy 14:8]



A similar prohibition is repeated in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 65 verse 2-5.



3. Consumption of pork causes several diseases



The other non-Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason, logic and science. Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of diseases. A person can have various helminthes like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which is in lay man’s terminology called tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very long. Its ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart attack, if it enters the eye it can cause blindness, if it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can damage almost all the organs of the body.

Another dangerous helminthes is Trichura Tichurasis. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from Trichura Tichurasis, twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ova present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature.



4. Pork has fat building material



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. It is not surprising that over 50% of Americans suffer from hypertension.



5. Pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth



The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces and dirt. It is the best scavenger that I know that God has produced. In the villages they don’t have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta is cleared by pigs.

Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbour’s excreta.



6. Pig is the most shameless animal



The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate. In America, most people consume pork. Many times after dance parties, they have swapping of wives; i.e. many say "you sleep with my wife and I will sleep with your wife." If you eat pigs then you behave like pigs. We Indians look upon America to be very advanced and sophisticated. Whatever they do, we follow after a few years. According to an article in Island magazine, this practice of swapping wives has become common in the affluent circles of Bombay.



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[hungvan]

Q11. Why is the eating of pork forbidden in Islam?


6. Pig is the most shameless animal



The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate. In America, most people consume pork. Many times after dance parties, they have swapping of wives; i.e. many say "you sleep with my wife and I will sleep with your wife." If you eat pigs then you behave like pigs. We Indians look upon America to be very advanced and sophisticated. Whatever they do, we follow after a few years. According to an article in Island magazine, this practice of swapping wives has become common in the affluent circles of Bombay.



For your Comments/ Suggestions/Criticisms, please do not hesitate to mail us at: answers@allaahuakbar.net
http://www.allaahuakbar.net



Link to this page : http://www.allaahuakbar.net/misconceptions/index.htm

Lol ,this is the most ridiculous argument i have ever heard . Islam produces such a wonderful scholar . Countries that consume most pork are not western countries but east Asian countries

[Georgina]

I can understand why people percieve pigs as dirty because they are. They are the only animal that can actually sweat. They eat everything and anything so in a way they are very dangerous animals. especially to our health, but then... you have to think if pigs are so bad and disgusting why do 60% of the worlds population eat it?? its either muslims are completely oblivious to the fact that pork's not that dirty or the world is obvlivious to see the dirt??
Please let me know your views on this
Safe

[luqman-haqq]

I can understand why people percieve pigs as dirty because they are. They are the only animal that can actually sweat. They eat everything and anything so in a way they are very dangerous animals. especially to our health, but then... you have to think if pigs are so bad and disgusting why do 60% of the worlds population eat it?? its either muslims are completely oblivious to the fact that pork's not that dirty or the world is obvlivious to see the dirt??
Please let me know your views on this
Safe

the world is oblivious to the dirt.

the pigs are a creation by Allah but the pigs are dirty and unhealthy to humans. This is a fact which the muslims have known centuries ago by the wisdom of the Quran but only have been proven scientifically recently.

the fact is, not only do muslims state that it is Haram to eat pigs but also the Jews and some sects in Christianity. I remember that it is stated in the bible in the book of Leviticus that it is forbidden to eat & touch pigs.


Medical science finds that there may be a high risk for various diseases as the pig is found to be a host for many parasites and potential diseases. Uncooked or untreated, the meat may contain harmful toxins, worms and latent diseases. Many of these infestations are harbored in other animals as well, but some veterinarians claim that pigs are more predisposed than any other animals, since they are opportunists and highly omnivorous, with an extensive diet including virtually any kind of edibles. The claim of the harmful uric acid in pigs, is now largely debunked as a myth by medical science.

Influenza (flu) is one of the most famous illnesses which pigs do share with humans. However, the origin of the illness is found in a number of animals besides pigs. It is harbored in the lungs of the animal during the summer months and can affect both the animal and humans.

Consuming excessive amounts of pork may lead to gallstones and obesity; due to its high cholesterol and saturated fat content. However, this goes for all sorts of animal flesh, and pork is in fact quite lean - leaner than most other domesticated animals - as long as its protective layer of fat is removed.

The pig is the carrier of various helminths, like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous and common is Taenia solium, a type of tapeworm. Tapeworms may transplant to human intestines as well by consuming untreated or uncooked meat from pigs or other animals. Many of these parasites, including the notorious trichina worms that causes trichinosis, are specific to the pig, or found in greater frequency in pigs, although most of them are also common in other livestock animals.

Before it was manufactured synthetically, people with insulin-dependent diabetes would usually use insulin extracted from pigs.
source:www.wikipedia.org

As proven by many scientists, as you can see from the above article, the pigs are unhealthy and excessive consumptions of pigs can have adverse side effects on human. It is a proven fact that pigs harbor range of parasites and diseases that can be easily transmitted to humans. Thus i can answer your question by saying the world is oblivious to the fact in the harms of eating pigs.

[Peacenik]

if pigs are so bad and disgusting why do 60% of the worlds population eat it?

Just because the majority indulge in unsavoury acts, doesn't make it right.

For God Tells us many times in the Holy Quran that most of mankind doesn't understand (the Truth).

[yayaya]

OMG , i can't believe ridiculous reasonings of muslims why they don't eat pork . If Pork is unhealthy . why do muslims live shorter than most pork eaters in the West and many Far east Asian countries . if you don't believe it ,just try to find some statistics about life expectancy from all countries in the world , the it's obvious that most muslim countries have lower life expectancy than other pork eating countries

[scorpionic]

OMG , i can't believe ridiculous reasonings of muslims why they don't eat pork . If Pork is unhealthy . why do muslims live shorter than most pork eaters in the West and many Far east Asian countries . if you don't believe it ,just try to find some statistics about life expectancy from all countries in the world , the it's obvious that most muslim countries have lower life expectancy than other pork eating countries

With respect, I am sure you will understand that life expectancy is not directly related to pig consumption and that "developed" countries have better average life expectancies due to many reasons.

Regarding pork, it is first a matter of faith, then a matter of scientific proof if any is available. For those of us who are willing to believe that a higher power - God - exists, it suffices that pork has been prohibited to us because we know that God knows best what God has created. If our limited scientific knowledge then manages to find the justification behind the prohibition - great! If not, then no problem.

Once a person believes in God, humbleness regarding our own inadequate knowledge naturally follows.

[AbuMubarak]

muslims dont eat pork because Allah has forbidden it, whether it is healthy or not

[xris]

muslims dont eat pork because Allah has forbidden it, whether it is healthy or noti agree if your told not to just dont do it.im a kaff and i can take it or leave it.it smells of human flesh when dead or cooking.it has to be a very clean animal or it is not very nice.so its no great shakes you cant eat it, but bacon oh thats wonderba.

[Zaid the Great]

muslims dont eat pork because Allah has forbidden it, whether it is healthy or not

:up: :up: :up:

[Valke2]

There's also the relatively modern concern of the amount of damage pig farms do to the enviornment. Personally, I understand the tie between religious belief and dietary restrictions. What better way to maintain one's focus on God? Everytime a muslim or Jew eats they are required to remember that all life comes from God and that, while we have the power to eat whatever we want, we curtail that power in order to do God's will.