All in all I must say
that I did not intend to do another Friday sermon on the subject of ‘Pork’, but
after last Friday’s sermon on this subject, and on what that Mullah Basharat
Naveed said, so I received several questions on the topic of ‘Pork’, from
people in Mauritius, and those of the neighbouring islands also such as Reunion
Island, Madagascar, the Seychelles and even Rodrigues. So through this Friday
sermon, I will answer those questions. Insha-Allah,
may Allah help me and give me the best answer to their question and that they
are satisfied; and may Allah (swt) illuminates their hearts to Islam, Ameen.
1st Question: Being Christian, I have no difficulty to eat pork and
I ask you then why are Muslims not allowed to enjoy this so delicious food, like
the Christians do?
I reply that this
question is somewhat surprising, because according to the scriptures, even
Christians are not allowed to eat pork. Well! Let’s see what the Bible says
about pork, “You must not eat their meat or
touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” (Leviticus 11: 7-8). The same command is repeated in
Deuteronomy (14: 8).
So, to make a commentary
on these verses: the laws were inculcated and obeyed because they embodied the
divine will. Pork, though one of the most common foods is one of the worst. God
had forbidden Jews to eat pork, not merely to assert His authority, but because
it was not a healthy food for humans.
The teaching of Jesus
Christ was the same. He clearly said that the laws of the Old Testament were to
be obeyed without change. So the answer I give you not only concerns our
Christian brothers and sisters, but is also for all our Jewish brothers and
sisters.
So in response I say:
Jesus Christ (pbuh) said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell
you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least
stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is
accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these
commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of
heaven…” (Matthew
5: 17-19)