Why is Pork Forbidden (Haram) in Islam?

Pork is one of the foods that is strictly prohibited (haram) for Muslims to consume. The prohibition of pork in Islam is derived from the Quran as well as the hadith (sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad). There are various reasons given by Islamic scholars on why pork has been forbidden in Islam.

Prohibition in the Quran

In the Quran, the consumption of pork is mentioned specifically as being prohibited.

There are 3 verses in the Quran that mention the prohibition of pork

• “Forbidden to you (for food) are dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine..” (Quran 5 3)

• “He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine…” (Quran 2:173)

• “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…” (Quran 6:145)

The Arabic word used to refer to swine is ‘khinzir’ which refers specifically to domesticated pigs. The Quran clearly and specifically forbids the consumption of pork, stating that it is “impure” (rijs).

Prohibition in Hadith

In addition to the clear prohibition in the Quran, there are multiple hadiths (recorded sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad) that prohibit pork as well:

• “Forbidden to you (for food) are: carrion, blood, pork, hare, that which has been dedicated to other than God, that which has been killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by being gored to death, that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal – excepting those you are able to slaughter (before its death) – and that which is sacrificed on stone (altars). (Forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows…” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5202)

• Abu Saeed al-Khudri reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say, “Do not eat of what the earth produces except that you slaughter it, except for corn; do not eat of what its trees produce except what you pluck with your hands so that it will be pure for you.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3314)

• Jabir b. ‘Abdullah reported: When the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) commanded that the short-tailed and the long-tailed lizards should be killed, he forbade eating their meat. (Sahih Muslim 1934 a)

These hadiths show additional prohibitions on meat slaughtered in incorrect ways as well as other animals like lizards. They reinforce the prohibition on pork that is clearly mentioned in the Quran.

Reasons for Prohibition of Pork in Islam

There are several reasons and interpretations given by Islamic scholars as to why pork has been forbidden in Islam:

The pig is an unclean animal

Pigs have the tendency to eat almost anything, including carrion and spoiled food that other animals avoid. They do not perspire and thus tend to accumulate more toxins in their bodies. The nature of pigs makes their meat more prone to contamination and being a carrier of parasites, bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. This view of pigs being unclean animals is reflected in the Quranic verse describing pork as “impure” (rijs).

Health risks of pork

Consuming pork can expose people to various diseases carried by pigs such as trichinosis, Taenia solium infestation, and influenza viruses. Pork contains toxins detrimental to health in larger quantities compared to other meats. Islamic scholars thus aimed to prevent health hazards by prohibiting pork.

Pigs require high maintenance but give little benefit

In hot regions like the Arabian peninsula, it takes intensive care and investment to raise pigs. They require constant access to water, special food and cooling systems which makes raising them a heavy burden. Moreover, pigs do not graze on grass or plants like cattle and sheep, and thus require hand-feeding. The effort required to raise pigs was not worthwhile for the Arabs when they had better animal options.

To differentiate from Jews & Christians

The ban on pork consumption also served as an identity marker to distinguish Muslims from Jews and Christians in the context it was revealed. This helped to define Islamic identity and establish a unique Muslim community.

Spiritual wisdom behind it

Some scholars say the reasons behind the pork prohibition are spiritual in nature and more beneficial spiritually than if Muslims were allowed pork. The prohibition served as a test of obedience to God and discipline for Muslims.

View of pigs in Arab culture

Arabs viewed pigs and wild boars as ferocious and reckless animals. In Arab culture at the time, the pig was viewed negatively as a loathsome, dirty animal that lost its temper easily and ate anything. So it seems part of the reason for prohibition was cultural aversion and attitude towards pigs.

To break harmful Arab customs

Some Arab customs involving pork were deemed uncivilized. For example, gamblers used pigs for gambling purposes by having them choose random marked arrows. Others consumed pork on holy pilgrimage sites. The prohibition of pork was aimed to elevate the Arabs and refine their customs by removing uncivilized practices involving pigs.

A divine test of faith

Some scholars said the wisdom behind prohibiting certain foods is simply a divine test of obedience. The prohibition served as a trial for Muslims in obeying God’s commands over personal desires. It was viewed as a lesson in showing faith in God’s rules even if the reasons are not apparent.

Exceptions to Pork Prohibition

The prohibition of pork in Islam is very strict. However, there are a couple exceptional circumstances under which pork is allowed:

• When facing starvation – If a Muslim is in a life-threatening situation and pork is the only food available to survive, it is temporarily allowed. But if any other food is available, pork must be avoided.

• Lack of awareness due to being new to Islam – If a recent convert to Islam eats pork mistakenly believing it is allowed, then they are pardoned since they were unaware of the ruling. But pork is still forbidden once they learn of the prohibition.

• Being forced to consume it against one’s will – If someone is forced to eat pork under duress or extreme circumstances, the prohibition is also lifted and they will not be held accountable.

Besides these exceptional scenarios involving a risk to life or extreme lack of choice, there are no other exceptions to the rule of pork being haram (forbidden) in Islam.

In conclusion, the prohibition of pork is clearly established in the Islamic primary sources of the Quran and hadith. There are diverse reasons provided by scholars on why pork has been forbidden, ranging from the unclean nature of pigs and their physiology, to wanting to establish a unique Muslim identity and the spiritual discipline involved. Consuming pork is strictly forbidden for Muslims, except in rare life-threatening situations of extreme necessity. The avoidance of pork is an important part of the Islamic dietary laws that Muslims strictly observe.