Why Were Pigs Created If They Are Forbidden?

Maybe you’ve heard this question in daily conversations, asked by friends, family, or even in a discussion: "If pork is forbidden, then why were pigs created?"

In the holy book of Muslims, the Qur'an, Allah clearly commands the prohibition of eating pork, blood, and animals slaughtered without mentioning Allah's name. These are categorized as haram.

Now let's talk about pigs. This includes both wild boars and domesticated pigs. What are the reasons behind the prohibition? Here are some of the explanations:

1. Health Reasons: Pigs Can Carry Diseases

Pigs can transmit several diseases to humans, including:

• Trichinosis: A parasitic disease caused by Trichinella spiralis. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and digestive problems.
• Hepatitis E: A viral disease that can cause fever, fatigue, and liver problems.
• Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease that can cause fever, muscle pain, and kidney problems.
• Taeniasis: A parasitic disease caused by Taenia solium, which can cause stomach pain and digestive disorders.
• Cystitis: A bacterial disease that can cause stomach pain and urinary problems.

In addition, pigs can be a host for tapeworms Taenia solium. This tapeworm can live in a pig's intestines and can be transmitted to humans if infected pork is eaten raw or undercooked.

Taenia solium tapeworms can cause taeniasis in humans with symptoms like:

• Stomach pain
• Digestive disorders
• Weight loss
• Fatigue

In some cases, the tapeworm can spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, causing a more serious disease called neurocysticercosis.

2. Pigs as a "Mixing Vessel" for Viruses

Have you heard about the bird flu outbreak? Are pigs also a cause of its transmission?

Pigs do not directly spread bird flu H5N1. Bird flu is caused by the influenza A H5N1 virus which mainly attacks birds, especially poultry.

However, pigs can act as a "mixing vessel" for influenza viruses, including bird flu. This is because pigs have receptors that can accept influenza viruses from both birds and humans. This means pigs can be infected with both bird flu and human flu viruses at the same time. This can lead to genetic recombination and potentially create a new, more dangerous strain of the virus.

So, although pigs do not directly spread bird flu, they can play a role in the evolution and spread of influenza viruses.

3. Anatomical Similarity to Humans

Surprisingly, some internal organs of pigs have similarities and even compatibility with human organs:

• Liver: Pig liver has a structure and function similar to the human liver.
• Lungs: Pig lungs have a structure and function similar to human lungs.
• Heart: Pig heart has a structure and function similar to the human heart.
• Kidneys: Pig kidneys have a structure and function similar to human kidneys.
• Stomach: Pig stomach has a structure and function similar to the human stomach.

Because of this anatomical similarity, pigs are often used as models in medical and surgical research to study human organ function and develop new surgical techniques.

4. Effect on Body Odor

Eating pork can also cause unpleasant body odor. This is due to several chemical compounds in pork that can affect human sweat odor:

• Sulfur compounds: Pork contains sulfur compounds that can be converted into sulfuric acid by bacteria in the gut. This acid is excreted through sweat and can make sweat smell worse.
• Fatty acids: Pork also contains fatty acids that can be converted into foul-smelling compounds by gut bacteria.
• Bacteria: Pigs can carry bacteria like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus that can affect sweat odor.

However, the effect of eating pork on body odor varies depending on: amount consumed, cooking method, individual health, and gut bacteria. So, not everyone who eats pork will have bad body odor.

5. Reasons Why Pork is Haram in Islam

In Islam, pigs are forbidden for several reasons:

• Dirty and impure: Pigs are considered dirty and impure animals because of their non-selective diet and unclean habits.
• Disease carriers: Pigs can carry diseases like trichinosis and hepatitis E that can be transmitted to humans.
• Not in accordance with human nature: Pigs are considered not in accordance with human fitrah because of their unclean and impolite habits.
• Forbidden in the Qur'an: Pork is clearly prohibited in the Qur'an, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:173 and Surah Al-Maidah 5:3.

Conclusion

The law of pork being haram in Islam aims to protect the health and purity of Muslims. It is also a test of faith: how a Muslim obeys Allah's commands and avoids His prohibitions. Obedience to Allah's commands and avoidance of His prohibitions is a form of devotion, and those who are obedient are promised Paradise.

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