It’s no secret that Islam prohibited pork. It was dubbed in the Holy Quran as “dirty” and “unclean”, thus it can’t be used in any way. Allah SWT has firmly stated it inside through the verse below.
“He has forbidden you only dead animals, and blood, and the swine, and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than God.” (2:173)
Despite being strongly prohibited in Islam, other religion consume pork freely. Pork are served as main dish in many restaurants in non-Muslim countries. The question is, when a Muslim works in a restaurant which serves pork, what does Islam say about it? What is the law of Muslim serves pork for non-Muslim?
This information will be useful for our fellow brothers and sisters who live in Eastern countries and they work in pork-serving restaurant for a living.
- Allah SWT Forbids Anything About Pork
“Say (O Muhammad): I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maytah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth (by slaughtering or the like), or the flesh of alcohol (pork); for that surely, is impure or impious (unlawful) meat (of an animal) which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah (or has been slaughtered for idols, or on which Allah’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering.” (6:145)
Not once, more than twice. Allah SWT had warned all Muslims that anything about pork is forbidden. Not only Muslims are haram to consume pork, engaging in any contacts with it also is. Staying away from pork is the best choice. Also read Effects of Eating Pork in Islam
- The Prohibition from Allah SWT is Absolute
“When Allah forbids a thing, He (also) forbids its price.” (Abu Dawood)
Never did Allah SWT forbid something half-heartedly. The same thing goes with the prohibition of pork. Once Allah SWT said pork is forbidden, means it’s forbidden at all cost. A true Muslim will never take risks that is unworthy.
- Selling Pork is Forbidden
“Allah and His Messenger have forbidden the sale of alcohol, dead meat, pork and idols.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Muslims are forbidden to sell pork. When a Muslim serves pork, means he is selling it as well. Whereas the hadith above has clearly stated that pork is included to things that are forbidden to be sold by a Muslim. Also read Prohibition of Pork in Islam
- Pork is Forbidden by the Hadith
“May Allaah curse the Jews, for when Allaah forbade them animal fat, they melted it down and sold it, and consumed its price.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Al-Qaadi said: This hadeeth indicates that whatever we are forbidden to eat or make use of, we are also forbidden to sell, and it is not permissible to consume its price, as in the case of the animal fat mentioned in this hadeeth.
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- Strong Evidence on Selling and Serving Pork
In defense, some people say that even though there are clear prohibition for Muslim to consume and selling pork, there is never an explicit prohibition of a Muslim should not sell pork to non-Muslim. This is not correct. From the Quran and Hadith above, it’s clear that selling pork is haram regardless to whom you sell it.
The prohibition to sell pork for a Muslim is not limited only among Muslim, but for general including the kuffar who is allowed to eat one. Selling porks, even to non-Muslim makes no difference between Muslims and others. Also read Things You can’t Eat in Islam
- Pork is Not Forbidden Only for Non-Muslims
There are also an argument that stated the Prophet (peace be upon him) never really prohibit pork. Pork had been existed long ago, even since the era of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He himself witnessed it being consumed and traded, but he never forbid neither curse it.
But it’s not what important. Pork are still the creation of Allah SWT that the Prophet (peace be upon him) didn’t have right to curse on it. Instead, he stressed that pork is haram to be consumed and traded by Muslims.
- Pork is an Unclean Animal
Islam, through the Holy Quran defined pork as “unclean” that a Muslim who had contact with it should perform ghusl to bring back the purity. Whether it’s dead or alive, pork is still unclean. As Islam values purity, Muslims better keep themselves pure and staying away from any impurities. Benefits of Doing Business in Islam
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- Income from Selling Pork is Haram
Touching pork is not haram, but it makes one become impure. A Muslim must perform ghusl to be pure again, as said above. More than that, selling pork is haram. Muslims’ income that come from pork selling or any pork related is haram.
So if you are running a pork restaurant or serving pork as part of your job, means whole or part of your income is haram.
The prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah if made something Haram, income out of it is Haram too.” (Ahmad)
- Pork is Harmful for the Body
Islam makes pork a prohibited food to be eaten for good things: it’s not good for the body. Pork contains bacteria that is still alive even after the cooking process. So as a Muslim, would you help to risk somebody else’s life by serving pork to them? Also read Ways How to Improve Health in Islam
- Look for Another Job Which is Haram
Shortly, working as a server in a pork restaurant is haram. It involves pork which is an absolute haram materials in Islam, so everything related to it become haram. If a Muslim wants to follow the Sharia, stay away from what’s haram and find another job which is not contain any haram substance.
From the explanation above, the law of Muslim serves pork for non-Muslim becomes clear. Pork is haram in any form, so as a good Muslim let ask Allah SWT to protect us from anything that is not halal. Aamin.