Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Is Pig REALLY HARAM in ISLAM?


FOOD FOR THOUGHT

KHINZIRI: PIG MEAT OR DECAYED MEAT?

This is how the Quran prescribes the restrictions on the consumption of food in Surah 5:3:-

Hur-rimat alaikumul mai-tahu wal dam-maa walahmul khin-ziri wa-ma-uhil-la li-ghyoi-ril-lah bihi. Wal-mun-’haani-qotu wal mutarad-diyatu wal- nathee-hatu wamaa-akalas sa-buhu il-la ma-zakaitum wa-ma-zubiha ‘alan nusubi wa-antas-taksimu bil-azlam

As I understand it, khin in Arabic means rotten, stinking or bad, and ziri means that you see. In view of this, I am of the opinion that khinziri does NOT refer to pig or swine but decaying or decayed meat, so that when we translate 5:3 we get:

Prohibited to you the carrion, blood, the decaying meat, and that over which any name other than God’s has been pronounced. The animal that was strangled to death, and the animal that was struck dead by an object, and the animal that died by falling from a height, the animal that was gored to death, and animals partially eaten by beasts unless you rescued them alive. And those sacrificed to idols and those distributed by lots. All these are wicked. 

I believe the prohibition refers not to the species of animal but rather to the nature and condition of the food. Besides, having created the pig or swine among the many domestic animals, why would God then prohibit us from eating its meat? Also the Quran does allow you to hunt wildlife, and it doesn’t say wild boars are prohibited game. 

So, is khinziri pig meat or decayed meat? 

What do you think, and why?

Also, please look at the next verse, 5:4: -

Yas-aloonaka matha ohilla lahum qul ohilla lakumu alttayyibatu wama AAallamtum mina aljawarihi mukallibeena tuAAallimoonahunna mimma AAallamakumu Allahu fakuloo mimma amsakna AAalaykum waothkuroo isma Allahi AAalayhi waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha sareeAAu alhisabi

They consult you concerning what is lawful (halal) for them; say, "Lawful (halal) for you are all good things, including what trained dogs and falcons catch for you." You train them according to GOD's teachings. You may eat what they catch for you, and mention GOD's name thereupon. You shall observe GOD. GOD is most efficient in reckoning.

5:4 is very important; it is the ultimate test of halal. 

They ask you what is halal?
Say 'Halal for you are all the good things'.

So if it is good for you, then it is halal. Isn’t Allah a genius? I think only the aboriginals appreciate this type of simplicity.

Yas-aloonaka matha ohilla lahum qul ohilla lakumu alttayyibatu wama AAallamtum mina aljawarihi mukallibeena tuAAallimoonahunna mimma AAallamakumu Allahu fakuloo mimma amsakna AAalaykum waothkuroo isma Allahi AAalayhi waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha sareeAAu alhisabi

They consult you concerning what is lawful (halal) for them; say, "Lawful (halal) for you are all good things, including what trained dogs and falcons catch for you." You train them according to GOD's teachings. You may eat what they catch for you, and mention GOD's name thereupon. You shall observe GOD. GOD is most efficient in reckoning.

What do you think, and why? 

Salam

3 comments:

  1. Salaam. My question has always been when asked about this verse does Quran
    negate what is in the so called books of Moses? And what do we do with Sura
    2:173 He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of
    swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah . But whoever
    is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its
    limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

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  2. can u Provide me from which dictionary u got that khinzir word as decayed?

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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