Quranic teaching and Swine Flu

Surah Maidah Ayat  3 in Burmese Translation

Muslims are often asked by the non Muslim friends regarding why they are forbidden to eat pork. Until last few years, most of the answers base on the  the scientific findings were,  from the growth hormone to parasite in the flesh of swine.

But all of us failed to understand  the magnitude of the problem of  keeping swine population, for the food industry until recent H1N1 or Swine Flu outbreak.

Some ignorant people will still argue that eating pork will not cause “Swine Flu”. But  scientists  insisted, that they will be still calling H1N1 as Swine Flu. Because the swine is the ideal cooking pot to combine human flu virus and bird flu virus, to transform into swine flu virus.

Allah SWT says in Surah 5:3,

“Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maytatah (the dead animals – cattle-beast not slaughtered),

blood,

the flesh of swine,

and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc.,

or on which Allâh’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering,

and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns –

and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal – unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) ­ and that which is sacrificed (slaughtered) on An­Nusub (stone altars).

(Forbidden) also is to use arrows seeking luck or decision, (all) that is Fisqun (disobedience of Allâh and sin).

This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me.

This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.

But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can eat these above-mentioned meats), then surely, Allâh is Oft­ Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Ma’idah 5:3)”

Above Ayat from Surah Maidah clearly tells all of us, not to eat the flesh of swine.  Before warning about flesh of the swine, Allah SWT prohibits Muslims from eating blood of animals in any form.(Eating fried blood clots, drinking blood of animals for the purpose of special energy boost, or benefit to manhood, ect)

The Ayat started with prohibition of eating the dead animals.

Blood of animals and human are the good source of infection as all bacteria, virus and parasites grow and multiply in the blood stream, by the process known as septicemia.

If someone eats the dead animal that died of septicemia will be in great danger of having infection from the animal. Later it will spread to others.

Swine flesh is prohibited , not only  to the Muslims but also to the Christians and Jews in their scriptures.

For the Muslims, they simply implement the rules of Halal (allowed) and Hram (prohibition) into their daily life, according to the clear guidelines in the Holy Quran.

Muslims do not eat pork because they follow exactly what Holy Quran says.

It is not for the Muslims to be surprised when the same teachings are found in other Holy Scriptures, as original source is from the Creator, Allah S.W.T.

Only problem with the other scriptures is that they are no more authentic as when they were revealed through Prophet Musa (Moses) (PBUH) and Esa(Jesus) (PBUH).

And another great problem is those who are proudly saying that they are people of the book, have failed to implement the true teaching of ONLY ONE CREATOR,into their daily lives.

And Allah says,

“I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.”

Holy Quran, which was revealed through our beloved Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), 1400 years ago, is relevant to all mankind  until the Day of Resurrection, as Allah already told us that “He has perfected His religion”.

Allah knows the best,

Regards,

Kyaw Kyaw Oo