Ask a Muslim

[Eran of Arcadia]

That's . . . well certainly different from the Western way, but not necessarily worse, from a Westerner's perspective.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

Finally I did think of a question.

What's wrong with pigs? Why are they unclean? Just because they roll around in mud to get rid of parasites?

Some Muslims have postulated as to why pigs are forbidden to be eaten. However, at the end of the day, these are just guesses. There is no explicit holy text which tells us the reason for it being prohibited, only that it is. I believe that this prohibition finds basis in the Judeo-Christian tradition as well.

 

[Old Spice]

It was to keep the Jews from eating food that might have had parsites or so such in it.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I see. So it was more of a practical rule. Nowadays we don't have that problem.

So why keep it? Just tradition?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

It is generally assumed that the rule had no more meaning than that, but really the dietary laws were and are a way of marking the groups' uniqueness.

 

[Old Spice]

No out of faith.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

It was to keep the Jews from eating food that might have had parsites or so such in it.

I see. So it was more of a practical rule. Nowadays we don't have that problem.

So why keep it? Just tradition?

I do not believe that this was the reason. This is a reason given only by athiests (and maybe a handful of thiests). These same people claim things like that the concept of God was created to scare people and other such stuff. Although we should agree to disagree on this issue, I personally do not agree with these viewpoints.

My personal belief is that pigs are spiritually unclean, and that is why they are forbidden. I believe that this prohibition's value will become clear when Allah will allow us to see the Unseen Realm (Al-Ghaib) on the Day of Judgment.

It could also be a law enacted in order to differentiate the believers from the disbelievers, as a sign of loyalty to God. There are many such actions that we are commanded to do, so that we differentiate ourselves from the disbelievers and identify ourselves as believers.

Again, I respect your right to disagree, both of you.

Take care.

 

[Sidhe]

I do not believe that this was the reason. This is a reason given only by athiests (and maybe a handful of thiests). These same people claim things like that the concept of God was created to scare people and other such stuff. Although we should agree to disagree on this issue, I personally do not agree with these viewpoints.

My personal belief is that pigs are spiritually unclean, and that is why they are forbidden. I believe that this prohibition's value will become clear when Allah will allow us to see the Unseen Realm (Al-Ghaib) on the Day of Judgment.

It could also be a law enacted in order to differentiate the believers from the disbelievers, as a sign of loyalty to God.

Again, I respect your right to disagree, both of you.


Take care.

I respect your beliefs but I think the reason is tradition now where once it was wisdom. Pigs made people sick, therefore it passed into law that you should avoid eating pigs because of the disease.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I do not believe that this was the reason. This is a reason given only by athiests (and maybe a handful of thiests). These same people claim things like that the concept of God was created to scare people and other such stuff. Although we should agree to disagree on this issue, I personally do not agree with these viewpoints.

My personal belief is that pigs are spiritually unclean, and that is why they are forbidden. I believe that this prohibition's value will become clear when Allah will allow us to see the Unseen Realm (Al-Ghaib) on the Day of Judgment.

It could also be a law enacted in order to differentiate the believers from the disbelievers, as a sign of loyalty to God. There are many such actions that we are commanded to do, so that we differentiate ourselves from the disbelievers and identify ourselves as believers.

Again, I respect your right to disagree, both of you.

Take care.

No really I had no idea before now. To me it sounds logical and a possible explenation. Many religious laws were sensible. So god could have inspired these laws so that people wouldn't get sick right? And maybe also to differentiate? Who knows what he's up to?

So I don't see why this is just an atheist explenation.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I think the term "secular" would be better - ie it's an explanation that makes no judgment as to the underlying truth of the claim. But even taking a secular approach, the idea that it fosters a sense of identity is just as good as the health reasons in my opinion.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

I think the term "secular" would be better - ie it's an explanation that makes no judgment as to the underlying truth of the claim. But even taking a secular approach, the idea that it fosters a sense of identity is just as good as the health reasons in my opinion.

I agree with you. I should've used the word "secular" and not "athiest." Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Gogf]

My personal belief is that pigs are spiritually unclean, and that is why they are forbidden.

Just wondering, but what is "spiritually unclean" about a pig?

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

Just wondering, but what is "spiritually unclean" about a pig?

That is like asking "what is the soul". It's not tangible, and therefore very difficult to answer.

 

[Masquerouge]

That is like asking what is the sole. It's not tangible.

soul, soul. Not sole. Though... I guess soles are not really tangible too

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

soul, soul. Not sole. Though... I guess soles are not really tangible too

Haha, I had already edited it before you mentioned it, SO THERE.

I think I make typos in every single post, and then I have to edit my posts, praying to God that nobody reads my silly typos before I edit.

 

[Mott1]

Greetings Salah-Al-Din,

Thanks for sharing your erudition with us. If you will allow me, I have some questions.

1. What criterion do you employ to determine morality?

2. Do you object to objective criticism of Islam (i.e. non-Muslim examination and judgment of the Quranic prescriptions). If so, what would be the proper academic approach for such examination? what is the ideal platform that must be achieved on which the Quranic presciptions can be criticized by the standards of intellectual scrutiny?

 

[Bast]

She's quite controversial in India, you know. Muslim clerics in India raised a huge fuss about her dress, and told her not to wear revealing clothing. She told them to piss off . For that alone, I admire her tremendously.

aneeshm!! Me too. She's a fantastic tennis player also.

 

[CCA]

SOrry if this has been asked before but what is the Islamic position on Rock and other music genres?

Are certain forms of music banned, if so why?

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

SOrry if this has been asked before but what is the Islamic position on Rock and other music genres?

Are certain forms of music banned, if so why?

All music is Haram (forbidden) in Islam.

There are around forty Prophetic Sayings which forbid music. I will mention only a few here.

The Prophet (s) said: "Allah...commanded me to do away with musical instruments, flutes, strings, crucifixes, and the affairs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance." (Musnad Ahmad)

Prophet Muhammad (s) warned the Muslims that in the future there would be sinful Muslims who would justify alcohol, music, adultery, and silk, even though these things are forbidden.

Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “Soon there will be people from my Ummah (Islamic nation) who will consume alcohol: they will change its name (and drink it). On their heads* will be instruments of music and singing. Allah will make the ground swallow them up, and turn them into monkeys and swine.” (Sahih Ibn Hibban).

*On their heads is an Arabic colloquialism that is difficult to translate

And again, he (s) said: “There will appear people in my Ummah, who will hold adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments to be lawful” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

The Prophet (s) said: "When my Ummah begin doing fifteen things, they will be inflicted with tribulations," and (from those 15 things He said): “When female singers and musical instruments become common” (Sunan Tirmizi).

Prophet Muhammad (s) prophecized a great penalty and doom that would be inflicted upon the Muslims by Allah. He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah! When will this be?" The Prophet (s) replied: “When female singers and musical instruments appear and alcohol will commonly be consumed.” (Sunan Tirmizi)

The Prophet (s) said: “Verily Allah has forbidden alcohol, gambling, drum and guitar, and every intoxicant is haram” (Sunan Abu Dawud).

------------

And there are many more. Having said that, there are different levels of piety, and music is considered a habit that takes time to get rid of. Therefore, Muslim youth are encouraged to decrease how much they listen to music until eventually they can give it up altogether.

I, myself, recently sinned by not turning off the background music to Civ. But I repented and changed the music to Jihad "chants" (without music)--very fitting when you are going to war in Civ.

This issue of music is a very difficult issue for many young Muslims, and it definitely makes Islam seem very strict to outsiders (and insiders alike). Nonetheless, I wholeheartedly believe in the wiseness of this prohibition, because music has helped spread immoral behavior. It is considered in Islam to be Satan's whisper.

It should be noted that the prohibition of music with lewd lyrics is even stronger. Therefore, whereas all music is considered forbidden, music such as rap (with sexually explicit material, cursing, and obscenities) would be considered even more sinful.

I seek refuge in the Lord of the Worlds, and I pray that Allah make me strong and steadfast.

 

[Stylesjl]

So what reason do you think music is forbidden? I mean it really can't be that bad, lewd music is a no brainer as to why it is sinful. But even just soft tones with no lyrics?