No, pork is haram (prohibited) and therefore it is not permissible for any Muslim to eat pork. Islam relies on facts from the holy Quran and hadith, furthermore, according to Quran 16:115, which says “forbidden to you are carrion, blood, the flesh of swine”.

 

When it comes to Islamic dietary laws and nutrition, there are a lot of prohibitions on consumable items, one of which is the most known restriction across the world is the prohibition on consuming processed pork.

 

Muslims are strictly prohibited from eating pig meat, which means there is no way pork can be made halal.

 

However, many individuals have argued that pork can be made halal through a certain process. It remains unclear and impossible for pork to be halal, this is the reason you need to understand the whole concept and clarify the misconceptions.

 

In this blog, we will explore this controversial topic and answer the question: Can pork be halal?

 

Firstly, let us have an understanding of what Islam means by “halal” and “haram” as this will help us get a clearer picture of our goals and objectives for reading this blog.

 

What is Halal?

Halal is an Arabic meaning of saying permissible, or acceptable. In the Holy Quran, the word halal is contrasted with “haram”. This binary opposition was elaborated into a more broad classification known as “the five decisions” This decision includes mandatory, recommended, neutral, reprehensible, and forbidden.

 

 

What is Haram?

Haram is the opposite of halal, which means prohibition or forbidden. Anything that is considered haram in Islam, such should not be obtained by any Muslim. Check out this post on the main difference between halal and haram.

 

 

Why Is Halal Important to Muslims

 

The word halal and haram is commonly tagged with consumable items including plants, animals, and more. Muslims can be very selective when it comes to eating or drinking.

For a devoted Muslim to eat a certain kind of food, he or she must be sure of the source of the food and also find out if such food is permissible and prepared according to Islamic law standards.

Another reason halal is important to Muslims is that it shows the act of respect, submission, and obedience to the word of the Almighty and his commandment towards what he has made permissible and what he has made prohibited.

Muslims take the word of God and his commandments very seriously, and to not go against the world of God, care is to be taken.

 

Lastly, Muslims cherish halal because halal foods are  said to be the best food in the world considering multiple factors which includes:

• Safety – Foods are safe to eat and good for the metabolism – apparently, non-Muslims also enjoy halal foods because of their health benefits
• Halal foods are free from toxins and harmful bacteria which can be present in foods
• The foods are usually fresh, and well prepared with no harmful preservatives included
• Halal animals are fed healthy vegetables and fruits which is ideal for individuals whose health requires them to eat only grass-fed animals
• Halal animals are slaughtered following Islamic law called “Dhabiha” – this process involves humanely slaughtering animals, invoking the name of God before sliting their throats to seek God’s permission.

Can Muslim Eat Pork: Is Pork Halal?

 

A swine can be considered a young pig that is not yet mature, since the Quran which is the word of God forbids the consumption of swine, then why should a believer still go against the word of God?

It is very important for you as a Muslim to abstain from anything which is prohibited or considered haram to maintain your relationship with Allah.

Why Is Pork Prohibited in Islam

First is impurity, pigs may not be regarded as dirty animals as many people will say, considering the kind of shelter given to them or the food they are fed. There are cases where people said pork can be halal if fed vegetables. Could this be said because halal animals are meant to be grass-fed?

Well, allow us to help you understand that it has been made clear in the holy Quran 16:115 which says “forbidden to you are carrion, blood, the flesh of swine” this makes it forbidden for Muslims to eat.

 

In Islam, pork is regarded as impure, and unhealthy and may be harmful to human health due to the fact that it can easily carry diseases, toxins, parasites, and bacteria which may cause serious health challenges to humans.

They may be considered dirty because they love to spend their life rolling in the mud to cool off and sometimes eat their excrement.

 

In Islam, an animal that is an animal of prey or feeds from excrement is classified as forbidden. Any food or drinks that can be toxic or cause serious health problems are tagged to be haram (not permissible).

 

Given these reasons, it may seem impossible for pork to be made halal. However, some argue that if pork is slaughtered in a specific way, it can be made permissible for consumption by Muslims.

 

This method is known as “dhabiha” or “halal slaughtering”. This process involves cutting the animal’s throat with a sharp knife while invoking the name of Allah. The idea behind this process is that it allows the animal’s blood to drain out completely, which is believed to remove impurities and make the meat halal.

 

Although, no fact can consider pork to be halal even though it is slaughtered according to the dhabiha process, or it feeds only on vegetables.

 

Is Halal Pork Possible?

There are some food stores “online” and “walk-in stores” that are now offering halal pork. It is not clear if these adverts are basic technical mistakes because the information can be taken as inaccurate, there is no way pork can be made halal for Muslims to eat.

The only situation when Muslims can consume pork is when in a life-or-death situation. This is the reason why haram is elaborated into a more broad classification known as “the five decisions”: mandatory, recommended, neutral, reprehensible, and forbidden.

It was said in Al baqarah 2:173 that “He has only forbidden you from eating carrion, blood, swine, and everything that has been slaughtered in the name of anyone other than Allah. But, if a person is just motivated by necessity and not by desire or a greater need than what is immediately necessary, they will not be sinful.

Even so, it is still not made Halal for you to eat after going through situations like this, it is advised that after making it as a provision for survival, you should not attempt to take it for the fun of consumption. Allah is undoubtedly forgiving and compassionate.

Alternative to Halal Pork and commonly used in Islamic cuisine

 

If you are a Muslim or a newly converted Muslim who enjoys eating bacon or hotdogs a lot, there are alternatives available for bacon products. These products are fully halal and have been specially made to satisfy your taste bud.

 

Note that these types of bacon are made from halal animals like turkey, lamb, beef, and more, with no presence of pork or its ingredients. Halal bacon is made in various varieties including Halal beef bacon, Halal turkey bacon, and more.

 

These halal products such as halal meats can be used to make different kinds of tasty dishes including salad toppings, egg sauce, stew, and more.

Scientific Proven Health Risk for Eating Pork

 

According to the Quran, the word of God. it did warn against the consumption of pork. Interestingly, science also proves that eating pork can be harmful as it is tied to multiple health risks.

 

Below, we will elaborate more on the reason for not only Muslims but as well as non-Muslims to abstain from eating pork.

 

• High in saturated fat & Cholesterol: American Heart Association make it known that pork contains so much fat it can be unhealthy for the health of human, and it may raise the risk of heart disease and other expensive illnesses
• Trichinosis: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “CDC”, eating pork can cause a parasitic infection known as Trichinella spiralis – this infection is caused by the roundworm, it can be contracted through the consumption of undercooked or raw pork that contains filthy parasites. This disease can cause serious health trouble such as stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, and muscle pain. In severe cases, it may result in heart failure or respiratory failure.
• Food poisoning: Research carried out by a group of  Food Safety and Inspection Service, shows that pork contains at least 30 filthy bacteria which can be harmful to human health. E-coli, Salmonella, and Listeria are just a few of the bacteria that can contaminate pork and cause food poisoning in humans.
• Causes cancer: Research done by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) raises alarm for some pork products, as they contain sodium nitrate which has been connected to an increased risk of some types of cancer. This particular substance is likely to be found in most pork products including bacon and ham.
• Hepatitis E: According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O), the hepatitis E virus is known to be one of the causes of liver disease, this virus can be contracted through the consumption of poorly cooked pork. Symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and jaundice may likely be experienced, so it is advised to abstain from this type of meat.
• Swine flu: Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exposes that pork that is not properly cooked can expose human health to the swine flu virus which is present in many but mostly in premature pigs
• Processing: The high processing levels of many pork products can raise the risk of different diseases, including cancer and heart disease. There is no temperature at which pork can be cooked which will eliminate all the bacteria present in the meat. Source: World Cancer Research Fund International
• Tapeworms: Tapeworms can be unhealthy to the health of humans, tapeworm infections in pork can lead to taeniasis, a disease that affects humans. Symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss are likely to be experienced. In extreme circumstances, tapeworms can harm vital organs like the lungs, liver, and brain.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, while some argue that pork can be made halal through certain processes, the majority of Islamic scholars and organizations maintain that pork can never be halal, no matter how it is prepared.

The prohibition of pork is based on fundamental principles of Islamic law and is considered a non-negotiable aspect of Islamic dietary restrictions. Muslims should continue to avoid consuming pork or pork products and seek more halal alternatives for their dietary needs.