Question:
Salam Alaikum,
I just want to understand whether being Muslims do we really have to hate pork. As our Prophet (peace be upon him) has forbidden us from eating pork due to many diseases etc. It is haram. But being in foreign countries, going to a pizza shop and ordering a vegetarian pizza (where they even use beacon.) is that haram too. Some times we watch how they add ingredients just to make sure they are adding only vegetables. But still they use same gloves, thong, and oven to cook veg pizza. Please advise whether we really have to be so particular about utensils too? I want to understand being Muslim do we have to avoid pork or really hate pork? Sometimes I feel Allah has created human being and animals. Please advise as I am very confused.
Jazak Allah
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
There is no need for confusion. Our guidance is from Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala, so everything in Islam is clear and straightforward. Allah said:
He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. (al-Baqara, 2:173)
For further details, we turn to the guidance of our holy Prophet Sayyidina Muhammad (s) who was given direct revelation by the Archangel Jibril (as) as to what to do and when to do it and how. In this way, nothing was left to chance or the whims of human beings, for we are after all a fickle species. Look how hard a test food has always been, for it was the downfall of our holy father Sayyidina Adam (and our holy mother Sayyida Hawwa, may Allah bless them and grant them peace, and the cause to bring this entire species down from Paradise to earth.
Taher Siddiqui
