Prohibition of Wine, Dead Meat, and Pork

📖Sunan Abi Dawud 3485
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah forbade wine and the price paid for it, and forbade dead meat and the price paid for it, and forbade swine and the price paid for it.”

• This hadith emphasizes that not only are alcohol (khamr), dead meat (maytah), and pork (lahm al-khinzir) prohibited in Islam, but even engaging in their trade and sale is forbidden. Islam takes a comprehensive approach by not only banning their consumption but also preventing their economic circulation, ensuring that these harmful elements do not spread in society.

​The prohibition of wine (alcohol), dead meat (carrion), and swine (pork) in Islam is rooted in both spiritual guidance and considerations for human health. Modern scientific research provides insights into the health risks associated with these substances:​

1. Alcohol (Wine and Other Intoxicants):

• Health Risks:

  • Cancer: Alcohol consumption is causally linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and liver cancers. Even moderate drinking can increase cancer risk. ​Mayo Clinic+2Time+2HHS.gov+2

  • Liver Disease: Excessive alcohol intake can lead to liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. ​

  • Cardiovascular Issues: Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing heart diseases. ​World Health Organization (WHO)

  • Mental Health: Alcohol use can contribute to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and increase the risk of suicide. ​Mayo Clinic+3Trusted Health Advice+3Mayo Clinic+3

2. Dead Meat (Carrion):

• Health Risks:

  • Bacterial Contamination: Consuming meat from animals that have died without proper slaughtering can expose individuals to harmful bacteria and pathogens, leading to foodborne illnesses.​

  • Toxin Accumulation: Decomposing animal tissue can accumulate toxins harmful to human health.​

3. Pork (Swine Meat):

• Health Risks:

  • Parasitic Infections: Consuming undercooked or raw pork can lead to infections like trichinosis, caused by the Trichinella parasite, resulting in symptoms ranging from mild digestive issues to severe muscle pain and even death. ​WebMD+1Dr. Axe+1

  • Viral Infections: Pork products, particularly liver, can carry hepatitis E, which may cause severe complications and even death in vulnerable populations. Thorough cooking is necessary to deactivate the virus. ​Healthline

  • Cardiovascular Disease: Pork is high in saturated fats and sodium, which have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease. ​Cleveland Clinic

  • Cancer Risk: High consumption of processed and overcooked pork has been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers. ​Healthline

  • ​The comparison between pork and human flesh has been noted in various historical and anecdotal accounts. For instance, some individuals who have consumed human meat have described its taste as being similar to pork. German criminal Armin Meiwes, convicted of cannibalism in 2006, stated, “The flesh tastes like pork, a little bit more bitter, stronger.” ​Farms Not Factories+6Smithsonian Magazine+6The Guardian+6

  • This perceived similarity has led to the term “long pig” being used in certain cultures to refer to human flesh. Early explorers and missionaries reported that Pacific Islanders who practiced cannibalism described human meat as tasting similar to pork, hence the term “long pig.” ​English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

  • The anatomical and physiological similarities between pigs and humans may contribute to this resemblance in taste and texture. Pigs and humans share comparable skin and flesh characteristics, with pig skin often used for tattoo practice due to its similarity to human skin. Additionally, pigs have been used in medical research and procedures, such as xenotransplantation, because their organs are similar in size and function to those of humans. Medium+2 Worldbuilding Stack Exchange+2 Farms Not Factories

Qur’anic Context:

The Qur’an explicitly prohibits the consumption of these items:​

• Surah Al-Baqarah (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…”​

• Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90):
  “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.”​

These prohibitions are in place to protect individuals from both spiritual harm and physical health risks.​

Islam’s dietary laws, including the prohibitions on alcohol, carrion, and pork, are designed to promote the well-being of individuals and communities. Modern scientific findings corroborate the wisdom behind these prohibitions by highlighting the significant health risks associated with the consumption of these substances.​