Islam has many rules related to food, and it is necessary for Muslim people to follow them. One of the most significant rules in Islam is the restriction on the consumption of pork. From the point of view of Islam, excess food is a sin, and pork is heavy product, so it is forbidden to consume it. Moreover, this meat is considered perishable, heavy for digestion, and too fat, adversely affecting blood vessels. Although Muslims have various legends related to this restriction, they all support the fact that this product is unhealthy.
Spiritual and physical aspects are closely intertwined in the Islamic gastronomic culture, and the actions, health, and spirituality of people depend on their nutrition. Sawari et al. (2015) state that when a person’s life or physical security is at risk, the physical aspect is considered more important than the spiritual one. However, the traditional Muslim diet is based on the way of life of early Muslims. For instance, not eating pork could save them not only from sins, but also from bacteria appearing in the hot desert atmosphere. However, Ahmed (2017) argues that “healthy eating habits of the past can be easily adopted by the present day Muslims if explained in the light of scientific evidence” (p. 305). It is helpful for the religion to keep existing and developing. Thus, the religious views affect the everyday life or modern people.
Muslims should know well what they can or cannot eat. Sometimes it may be complicated, however, this obstacle can be avoided by learning rules and listening to the pieces of advice of older and more experienced people. Another obstacle is adjusting the Muslim standards of living to the modern world because the mentioned type of meat is now used everywhere. Nevertheless, most organizations providing food have multiple types of services that help cope with it and treat Islam with respect.
Therefore, the fundamental principle of Islamic nutrition is the permissibility or prohibition of food, in particular, pork. The chosen articles show that it is a complex system, so modern Muslims should make the effort to adjust to it. Indeed, it may be sometimes challenging, but the world creates opportunities that make it easier. Moreover, even though there are some strict rules, they can be learned and eventually become helpful for one’s health. Thus, it is important for Muslims to acquire knowledge about their religion and be mindful about it.
References
Ahmed, I. A. (2017). Nutritional perspectives of early Muslims’ eating habits. International Food Research Journal, 24(Suppl), 305-312. Web.
Sawari, S. S., Ghazali, M., Ibrahim, M., & Mustapha, N. (2015). Evidence based review on the effect of Islamic dietary law towards human development. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(3). Web.