|
|
Question:
Science tell us that whatever one eats, it has an effect on
one’s behaviour. Why then, does Islam allow Muslims to eat
non-vegetarian food, since eating of animals could make
a person violent and ferocious? Answer:
I agree that, what
a person eats has an effect on his behaviour. This is one
of the reasons why Islam prohibits the eating of carnivorous
animals like lion, tiger, leopard, etc. who are violent
and ferocious. The consumption of the meat of such animals
would probably make a person violent and ferocious. Islam
only allows the eating of herbivorous animals like cow,
goat, sheep, etc. that are peaceful and docile. We Muslims
eat peaceful and docile animals because we are peace loving
and non-violent people.
The Qur’an says: "The Prophet commands them what is just and prohibits
what is evil". "He allows them as lawful what
is good (and pure) and prohibits them what is bad (and impure)," "So take what the Messenger assigns to you and deny yourselves
that which he withholds from you."[Al-Qur’an 59: 7] For a Muslim, the Prophet’s
statement is sufficient to convince him that Allah does
not wish humans to eat some kinds of meat while allowing
some other kinds.
According to various authentic Ahadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari
and Sahih Muslim including hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas
in Sahih Muslim, Book of hunting and slaughter, Hadith No.
4752 and Sunan Ibn-I-Majah chapter 13 Hadith no. 3232 to
3234, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) prohibited the eating of:
i.
Wild animals with canine teeth, i.e. meat eating carnivorous
animals. These are animals belonging to the cat families
such as lion, tiger, cats, dogs, wolfs, hyenas, etc.
ii.
Certain rodents like mice, rats, rabbits with claws, etc.
iii.
Certain reptiles like snakes, alligators, etc. iv. Birds of prey with talons or claws, like vultures, eagle, crows, owl, etc. |