Do Pigs Really Need to Be Hated?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I sent two emails in response to what you said about house lizards. Why do some Muslims believe they (house lizards) are sinful Muslims with mostly free will like us humans and pests in general, and even go so far as to believe they aren’t those creatures, or if they are, they are influenced by jinns?
Do you think some famous online preachers should stay away from this stuff and leave it to people who specialize in it?
Are these superstitions that lead to what they say to even hate them by what happens in some Muslim countries for being known for believing conspiracy theories? They claimed that pigs should be despised because they are sinful Muslims who choose to be dirty.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are well.
Although looked at with much disgust through the Muslim world, the pig must be looked at scientifically and religiously to understand why it was placed here on earth by Allah.
Allah (Most High) has given us tests to do things in a certain way and stay away from forbidden things. If a person does and follows, he has passed the test. Everything in this world is a for a reason, even though we don’t see its purpose or wisdom. It will unfold with time in this world, or He will show us in the Next world.
In the same way, a pig is an animal, similar to many forbidden animals and creatures of the world. It has its purpose and wisdom; for some, it is a test; for some, it is a means of food and broader benefit. We acknowledge and believe that Allah knows best why and how they fit in; we recognize our shared existence with animals here on earth.
“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.” [Quran, 2:173]
Related:
Which Animals Are Mentioned in the Holy Quran? – The Muslim Vibe
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
