Q461 :Could you please explain why eating pork is
forbidden. There are so many opinions, but can you provide a final
answer? May I also ask whether breeding pigs is forbidden?
A461 : Allah describes the Prophet Muhammad in the
Qur’an as one who “makes lawful for them (i.e.his followers) all things
that are good and forbids them all that is evil.” Therefore, anything
which is clearly forbidden in Islam must be evil. Otherwise, it would
not have been forbidden to us. This is a general statement which
applies universally. It is sufficient for us to know that pork is
clearly forbidden to conclude that it is evil. When we examine
religious teachings we find that certain prohibitions are clearly
related to their causes. We are told that this particular thing is
forbidden because it results in so and so. In such cases, when we are
certain that the effect no longer applies, then the prohibition is
relaxed. In other cases, there is no cause stated for the prohibition.
This means that the prohibition will continue for all time. In the case
of pork, no cause has been specified. Therefore, pork will remain evil
and forbidden for all time to nete. It is perfectly in order for
Muslims to try to determine the cause of prohibition of any matter.
When they nete out with an answer, they must not make their conclusion
final, in the sense that they will say that the prohibition is only
linked to this particular aspect. If they do, they run the risk of
superimposing their conclusion on Allah’s legislation. This is not
allowed to anyone. In the case of pork, people have suggested a
variety of causes for its prohibition. Any one or all of these reasons
may be relevant and correct. However, we cannot say that only for these
reasons pork has been forbidden. Let me say that pork is forbidden
because it is evil and will remain so for all time. According to Islam
it is forbidden to produce or sell or breed what is of no benefit. What
is forbidden is without benefit whatsoever. It is forbidden to sell or
breed or produce intoxicants. The same prohibition applies to pigs and
pork. [Added:When you fall sick, you go to a specialist who prescribes
certain medicines and tells you to eat some special diet and that you
should refrain from eating certain food. You do not argue or probe or
even for a moment doubt the judgement of that specialist. It is
surprising that a prohibition by Allah should benete a matter for
discussion.]
Our Dialogue ( Source : Arab News – Jeddah )