What to do after Eating Pork?
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
When I was young, I unknowingly ate some pork. I took a bite and then spat it out. I did not wash my mouth with dirt. Has everything my saliva touched since then become contaminated (najis) with severe contamination (ghilza)? And then everything that the contaminated things touched with moisture, dirtying other things, etc.? As for awareness of the ruling on washing seven times with dirt, I learned about it a few years ago but did not wash my mouth with dirt till recently.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah guide us to that which pleases Him, Amin.
There was no sin involved when you took a bite of pork, and one needs only to rinse the mouth to cleanse it after such an incident. Neither washing seven times nor washing with dirt applies to contamination of the mouth when eating, and Allah knows best.
Accidentally Ingesting Pork
Allah says: “There is no blame on you for what you do by mistake, but ˹only˺ for what you do intentionally. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran 33:5]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah has forgiven my nation for mistakes, forgetfulness and that which they are forced to do.” [Ibn Maja]
Based on the above and similar evidence, there is no sin in the accidental ingestion or consumption of pig, and Allah knows best.
Purification After Contamination by Pigs or Dogs
According to the Shafi’i School, contamination by dogs or swine can only be purified by seven wash-cycles, and one of them must incorporate some purifying earth. [Misri, ʿUmda Al-Salik]
However, the Shafi’i School also holds that the above rule does not apply to contamination of the mouth due to ingestion or consumption, according to Ruyani (may Allah have mercy on him). [Shirbini, Mughni Al-Muhtaj]
Removing the filth and washing the mouth would suffice in such a case, so there was no further contamination, and Allah knows best.
I pray this is of benefit.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
