Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!crackers!m2c!wpi.WPI.EDU!omar.wpi.edu!shari
From: zix@cs.nott.ac.uk (Zafer Iqbal)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: Question regarding Pork
Message-ID: <1990Nov28.161718.26498@wpi.WPI.EDU>
Date: 28 Nov 90 16:17:18 GMT
References: <1990Nov22.183944.21990@wpi.WPI.EDU>
Sender: news@wpi.WPI.EDU (News)
Organization: Nottingham University
Lines: 39
Approved: shari@wpi.wpi.edu
Originator: shari@omar.wpi.edu
Nntp-Posting-Host: omar.wpi.edu


In article <1990Nov22.183944.21990@wpi.WPI.EDU> shuque@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Sumon Huque) writes:
>
>Could anyone give me a few solid convincing arguments that rationalize 
>our position on not eating Pork. I am often confronted on this issue, and
>I have yet to come across a suitable reply.
>
>Thanks
>
>*****************************************************************************
>Sumon  I. Huque                        Computer Science & Engineering
>Box 783, 3820 Locust Walk              University of Pennsylvania
>Philadelphia, PA 19104-6134            (215) 573-7881
>Internet:    shuque@eniac.seas.upenn.edu , huque@next.sas.upenn.edu
>Bitnet:      shuque@pennsas
>*****************************************************************************


It is very dangerrous to rtry to rationalize why we have
certain commands in Islam and why we have to do certain
actions which seem irrational to us.
There are many commands which have had reasons given as to
why we do them (the reasons are given in the Qur'an or Sunnah)
e.g., a reason is given for the prohibition of alcohol &c
but many commands are not explained e.g., fasting, no of prayers &c
The simple answer to your question is that we do not know why. If a reason
was givwen, the prohibition would only hold for that reason and 
as soon as the reason no longer held the prohibition weould no longer hold!
E.g. if we say that we don't eat pork 'cos it is full of germs, and
if scientists were able to "clean" it in such a manner so that there were no
germs, then we should be able to eat it but obviously we still would
not be able to eat it!!!
The only aspects of Islam you need to explain using your ration, intellect &c
is that there exists a creator and that the Qur'an is from the creator and it
has not been corrupted over the ages. Once you have convinced anyone of these
facts, following Islam is rational, following the commands whether you
understand them or not! 
Wasalam,
Zaf