M'sian Muslim reader...
Subject: To Eat or Not To Eat Pork
Researched and written by: Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan bin Abdul Rahman
*From an economic perspective it is better to rear pigs than cows or goat. It is simply more profitable. The pregnancy duration is about 112-115 days compared to goat which is about 150 days or a cow 290 days. At the end of each pregnancy the pig produces between 12- 15 piglets, the goat about 1-2 kids and the cow 1 calf.*
I have been following the story of the construction of a centralized and modern pig farm in Kampung Tumbuk in Kuala Langat and how the issue of religious sensitivity and racial cards has been played by the Opposition (i.e. The BN people) in Selangor. The issue also appears to have been made worst by the lopsided reporting by the Malay newspaper which obviously is
trying to incite racial sentiments. Please allow me to share my views as a Muslim on the matter.
*The religion perspective of pork.*
*From the bible*
Both the Bible and the Quran prohibit the eating of pork.
Muslims are aware of this prohibition and observe it strictly. However, most readers of the Bible say they do not know where they can find this in the Bible.
In the book of Leviticus, chapter 11, v. 7, it is recorded that God declares the pig to be unclean for believers. Then, in verse 8, God says: "You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you". This command is repeated in Deuteronomy 14:7-8. Then, in Isaiah 65:2-4, and 66:17, God issues a stern warning against those who eat pork.
Some Christians are aware of this prohibition from God, but they say that they can eat pork because St. Paul said that all food is clean in his letter to the Romans 14:20. St. Paul said this because he believed (as he wrote in his letter to the Ephesians 2:14-15) that Jesus had abolished the Law with all its commandments and regulations. He seems, however, to have misunderstood what he heard about Jesus.
In the Gospel According to Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus is reported to have said quite the contrary, as follows: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law . . . ." Jesus then went on in that passage (in verse 19) to denounce anyone who would break the smallest commandment and teach others likewise. He also praised his true followers who will practice and teach even the smallest commandment. One of the commandments, as we have seen, is to stay away from pork.
This is why the true followers of Jesus, holding on to his teachings, did not let unclean food such as pork enter their mouths, so that Peter, the chief disciple, can say, "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean" (Acts of the Apostles, ch. 10, v. 14)
Five chapters later in the Acts of the Apostles, 15:29, we find that the original disciples still differentiate between clean and unclean foods, and this time Paul is in agreement with them. Six chapters later, in ch. 21, v. 25, their decision to impose food regulations on believers is mentioned
without regret, and this time Paul is challenged to prove that he is in agreement with them; and he demonstrated his full agreement with them.
What remains, then, is that Jesus, on whom be peace, upheld the prohibition against pork. His disciples also upheld it, and so must all his followers. Those who fail to uphold it need to be informed and reminded of this rule from God. For the same argument many orthodox Jews don't eat pork.
*Islamic perspective*
In Islam, the eating of swine is forbidden. This is clearly demonstrated in many verses of the Quran. Among others this includes: [1]
5:3* http://www.godsmosque.org/
h ttp://www.godsmosque.org/html/
*16:114-115* http://www.godsmosque.org/
[2] *2:168-169*
http://www.godsmosque.org/
*
3:93-94*
http://www.godsmosque.org/
*6:119* http://www.godsmosque.org/
*10:59*
http://www.godsmosque.org/
[3]
*5:90-91* http://www.godsmosque.org/
*The Scientific perspective*
Dr. E. Kazim. M.D. in his article "*Medical aspects of forbidden foods in Islam*" (July 1981 issue of Muslim Journal has described diseases carried or caused by the flesh of the swine. He wrote: The pig is a scavenger. It is an omnivorous animal. It eats everything. There are many diseases carried from swine to man, particularly parasite infestations. Lately extensive research
has been focused on senility-old age is characterized by hardening of inner lining of the blood vessels of the heart; brain etc. a process called atherosclerosis. When a clot forms, it results in coronary thrombosis or a heart attack, cerebral thrombosis or stroke.
Different dietary factors are responsible for atherosclerosis. Gross atheroma may be produced in rabbit by feeding it with cholesterol, but when you add lard (derived from hog fat) to the cholesterol, the incidence of atheroma is increased and thus you would produce coronary thrombosis, and myocardial infraction.
Besides, lard contains 2800 units of vitamin D per 100 grams and no vitamin A at all. Lately vitamin D has been held responsible for atheroma, by causing increased absorption of calcium in the blood vessels. In human beings, serum cholesterol is not dependent on the intake of cholesterol in the diet, but depends upon the proportion of animal fats in the diet, which
elevates the beta-lipo protein level in the blood. Animal fats contain saturated fatty acids and these saturated fatty acids have been found to be as one of the causes of atheroma in man.
Medium fat bacon contains 25% proteins and 55% fat.
According to medical research, the fat content in pork is more than any other meat (beef, mutton etc.) and it takes longer to digest. Dr. M Jaffer in an article in the Islamic Review (London) of January 1997 issue has listed 16 kinds of harmful germs, which have been discovered in pork in modern researches and the diseases, which could be caused by them. The number of patients suffering from tapeworm disease is the highest in the world among pork eating nations.
Other diseases attributed to pigs are caused by tri-chinelia spirates and intestinal worms occupy first place among such nations too. Dr. Glen Shepherd wrote the following on the dangers of eating pork in Washington Post (31 May 1952). "One in six people in USA and Canada have germs in their muscles - trichinosis 8 from eating pork infected with trichina worms. Many people who are infected shows no symptoms. Most of those, who do have, recover slowly. Some die; some are reduced to permanent invalids. All were careless pork caters".
He continued "No one is immune from the disease and there is no cure. Neither antibiotics nor drugs or vaccines affect these tiny deadly worms. Preventing infection is the real answer."
*The Babi and the narrow minded politicians who called themselves Muslims.*
First of all, I am appalled at the narrow minded politicians who made the issue of building a centralized and modern pig farming an issue. It is beyond doubt that the real issue here is economy, environmental pollution and improving quality of life in the surrounding community.
The opposition (BN) are making a mockery of this just because of political mileage. I feel when something good is being done; it should promoted by all parties. I have travelled to St Louis , USA where it is also known capital pork of the world. I have visited and stand 3 feet away from a pig pen.
There was no smell. It was so clean. It is even cleaner than most public toilets in Malaysia .
How many of this politician has visited such a farm and how many are involved in goat farming in Malaysia . While goat is Halal in Malaysia , please enter many farms there is in Malaysia and you will see how dirty it is. Islam only prohibits the eating of pork. There is no prohibition of looking at eat or standing next to one. In fact I have yet to find anywhere in the Quran that prevent Muslims from rearing it. During my 15 months tour of duty with UN in Cambodia, many Malay Champa who are strong Muslims rear pigs under their house for economic reason even though they don't eat them.
From an economic perspective it is better to rear pigs than cows or goat. It is simply more profitable. The pregnancy duration is about 112-115 days compared to goat which is about 150 days or a cow 290 days. At the end of each pregnancy the pig produces between 12- 15 piglets, the goat about 1-2 kids and the cow 1 calf.
From an environmental perspective, it is definitely better to have a central farm where small farmers join hands and run one big and clean farm. This way the cleanliness of our water way will be maintained. Waste management will become the epicentre of the operation. It is more economical to run one big farm than many small farms that is polluting. Overall it is a win win
situation for everyone.
It is insulting the way some politician look at the issue. I believe from Islamic perspective it is quite clear. It is the narrow minded politicians that played up the issue that makes it into a Muslim and non Muslim issue and trying to create a bigger racial divide among Malaysians. Sometimes I wonder, which has the lower image , the babi or these politicians. For that aspect, I respect the position taken by PAS on this matter. It has shown that it has handled the issues properly.
I ask all level minded Malaysian and to re look at the "Babi" issue again. Study the real issue properly and make a proper judgment. Overall it will benefit Malaysian from the economic, environmental and quality of life perspective.
*Researched and written by: Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan bin Abdul Rahman*
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