Pork in the Qur’an: A Theological and Textual Examination

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

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Introduction

The dietary laws in Islam have long been debated among scholars, with the prohibition of pork standing at the center of controversy. Muslims today universally regard pork as haram (forbidden), yet the Qur’an itself presents a complex testimony that raises questions regarding this absolute prohibition. A closer reading of the Qur’an demonstrates that (1) pork is referred to as a “good thing”, (2) its prohibition is historically tied to the Jews as a punishment, not as a universal law, and (3) Jesus, according to the Qur’an, came to permit such foods. These facts expose significant theological tensions within Islamic doctrine.

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The Qur’an on the Prohibition of Good Things (Surah An-Nisa 4:160)

Surah An-Nisa 4:160 states:

“So for the wrongdoing of the Jews, We prohibited for them good things that had been lawful to them, and for their averting from the way of Allah many people.”

This verse makes several important theological assertions:

1. The prohibition was directed specifically to the Jews, not to all humanity.

2. The things prohibited were described as “good things.” This suggests that foods such as pork are inherently good and beneficial, but were denied to the Jews as divine punishment.

3. The Qur’an never explicitly extends this punishment to Muslims.

Thus, the Qur’an itself implicitly acknowledges that pork is a good thing, contradicting later Islamic jurisprudence that categorically bans it.

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Jesus in the Qur’an Permitting the Forbidden (Surah Al-Imran 3:50)

The Qur’an places Jesus in direct contrast to the Torah’s restrictions:

“And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me.” (Al-Imran 3:50)

From this, several conclusions emerge:

• Jesus explicitly permits what had been previously forbidden.

• Since pork was among the forbidden foods in the Torah, the Qur’an acknowledges that Jesus came to remove such restrictions.

• Jesus commands obedience: “Obey me.” According to the Qur’an’s own testimony, obedience to Jesus includes recognition of his authority to allow foods such as pork.

Therefore, to reject the eating of pork while acknowledging Jesus as a prophet in the Qur’an places Muslims in a theological contradiction.

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The Food of the People of the Book (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:5)

Further clarity is found in Surah Al-Ma’idah:

“This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:5)

This verse is unambiguous:

1. All good foods are made lawful.

2. The food of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) is permitted for Muslims.

3. Since Christians eat pork and the Qur’an recognizes their food as lawful, pork is thereby permissible within the Qur’an’s framework.

This raises the question: If God declared the food of Christians as lawful, how can pork simultaneously be haram?

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Theological Contradictions for Islam

The evidence above reveals multiple theological problems for Islam:

1. Historical Limitation of Prohibition: Pork was prohibited to the Jews alone (4:160), not universally.

2. Jesus’ Authority to Permit: The Qur’an affirms that Jesus came to lift dietary restrictions (3:50).

3. Permission of Christian Food: The Qur’an sanctions Christian dietary practices (5:5), which include pork.

Taken together, these passages undermine the absolute prohibition of pork in Islam and expose inconsistency in Islamic jurisprudence.

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Conclusion

The Qur’an itself affirms that pork is a good thing, restricted only as a punishment upon the Jews. Jesus, according to the Qur’an, came to make lawful what had been forbidden, which includes pork. Moreover, the Qur’an permits Muslims to eat the food of Christians, which includes pork consumption.

Therefore, the Muslim prohibition of pork is not grounded in the Qur’an, but rather in later Islamic tradition and jurisprudence. This presents a theological calamity for Islam, as it demonstrates inconsistency between Qur’anic testimony and Islamic practice.

The central question remains: If Allah called pork a good thing, Jesus permitted it, and the Qur’an allows Christians’ food, why do Muslims continue to forbid what their scripture permits?

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References

• The Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa 4:160

• The Qur’an, Surah Al-Imran 3:50

• The Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:5

• Guillaume, A. (1955). The Life of Muhammad. Oxford University Press.

• Wensinck, A. J. (1965). Muhammad and the Jews of Medina. Brill.

• Cragg, K. (1991). The Event of the Qur’an: Islam in Its Scripture. Oneworld.

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