(Dr. Javed Jamil) Fundamental Prohibitions: Health Protective Measures
Eatables
Qur’an says:
Items prohibited for you are: the meat of the dead (animals), blood, the pork, the meat which has been dedicated to a deity other than God, the flesh of the animals killed by strangulation, or by a violent blow, or by a fall on the head side, or by being gored, or left after hunting by a wild animal, unless you are able to properly slaughter it, or (that of an animal) sacrificed at altars. Further, taking decisions through divining arrows is a gross violation (of the code). (5: 3)
On the other hand, He has prohibited for you the meat of the dead, the blood, the pork and anything dedicated to deities other than God. But if one is compelled by urgency, without intentional disobedience and transgression, it is no sin for him. God is Forgiving-Merciful indeed. (2:173)
Islam allows all kinds of foods except what have been expressly forbidden. The forbidden foods include pork, flesh of already dead animals, and flesh of animals that have been slaughtered in a manner not permissible in Islam. The unacceptable methods of slaughtering are the methods that do not allow time for blood to gush out of the body before death and slaughtering in the name of other gods and goddesses. The diseases related to pork are well known. There are two major infestations related to the consumption of pork. These are Taeniasis, caused by Taenia solium and Trichenellasis, caused by Trichinella spiralis. Both of these were quite common till about half a century back. They can cause paralysing illnesses, including blindness and hemiplegia, and can sometimes even cause death. To avoid these diseases, extraordinary care has to be taken in cooking and storing. There are other diseases that are related indirectly to pork, some of which can prove fatal. The best known is Swine Flu, which is related to pork eating because it spreads in those who are in contact with pigs on account of the business of pork.
In fact, Swine Flu has proved to be a devastating killer in the last century with several epidemics. Also called pig flu, this is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine influenza virus (SIV) or swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) is a strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. The known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H2N1, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
Swine influenza virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human flu, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood. If transmission does cause human flu, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. But there have been several outbreaks during last one hundred years that have resulted in massive casualties. Even when the strains have disappeared in humans, the retention of influenza strains in pigs might make pigs a reservoir where influenza viruses could persist, later emerging to re-infect humans once human immunity to these strains has waned.
About 203,000 people around the world died of flu and respiratory problems during the 2009 H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic, according to a new study funded by the World Health Organization. Deaths from heart failure and other secondary consequences of the flu pushed the overall toll to about 400,000, according to the study, published online by PLoS Medicine7.
Other epidemics in the past have also killed big numbers. During the 1918 pandemic, approximately 20% to 40% of the worldwide population became ill and an estimated 50 million people died. Nearly 675,000 people died in the United States alone. Many influenza–and pneumonia–related deaths occurred in September 1957 and March 1958. Although the 1957 pandemic was not as devastating as the 1918 pandemic, about 69,800 people in the United States died. The elderly had the highest rates of death. The number of deaths between September 1968 and March 1969 was 33,800, making it the mildest flu pandemic in the 20th century. It was mainly active in Hong Kong8.
About 203,000 people around the world died of flu and respiratory problems during the 2009 H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic, according to a new study funded by the World Health Organization. Deaths from heart failure and other secondary consequences of the flu pushed the overall toll to about 400,000, according to the study, published online by PLoS Medicine7.
Other epidemics in the past have also killed big numbers. During the 1918 pandemic, approximately 20% to 40% of the worldwide population became ill and an estimated 50 million people died. Nearly 675,000 people died in the United States alone. Many influenza–and pneumonia–related deaths occurred in September 1957 and March 1958.
A time may come when the devastation caused by pigs may necessitate killing of all the pigs. Interestingly, such an option is also indicated in Hadith literature. Abu Hurayra, RA, narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, ‘By him in whose hand my soul is, surely the son of Mary will come down among you as a just ruler. He will break the cross, kill the pigs and abolish the Jizyah. Wealth will be in such abundance that no one will care about it, and a single prostration in prayer will be better than the world and all that is in it.’ (An-Nisaa 4:159) (Bukhari; Muslim).
The Hadith clearly demonstrates that: First, pigs will one day become a big menace for the mankind. Second, killing pigs is an open option. Third, it will be Jesus after his Second Advent who will ultimately order the killing of all pigs. When birds can be culled in a big way to stop Bird flu, why pigs cannot be killed to stop Swine flu? Killing pigs will of course not be acceptable to the market.
Dogs
If the fortunes of any living beings have turned most for the better in the modern era, it is dogs’. From being the most loathed animals, they have now become the most loved ones. They are not just kept as pets; they become part of the family like other members. Spouses and children may fight with one another but each of them showers his or her choicest affections on their dogs. Slobbering kisses, frequent caresses, sometimes even the sharing of a pillow at bedtime – they are always in paradise. Unfortunately though for their patrons, they bring several medical hazards along with them. “The list is impressive,” says “Petspose Health Hazards” by Melissa Kaplan, “ranging from skin conditions like ringworm to diarrhea-causing bugs like Salmonella, Campylobacter and maybe C. difficile to more exotic and health-threatening ailments like leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and monkeypox, an animal cousin of smallpox….. You are dealing with live organisms here. And they may bring back and carry home dirty stuff.” (www.anapsid.org/zoonoses2.html)
If the fortunes of any living beings have turned most for the better in the modern era, it is dogs’. From being the most loathed animals, they have now become the most loved ones. They are not just kept as pets; they become part of the family like other members. Spouses and children may fight with one another but each of them showers his or her choicest affections on their dogs. Slobbering kisses, frequent caresses, sometimes even the sharing of a pillow at bedtime – they are always in paradise. Unfortunately though for their patrons, they bring several medical hazards along with them. “The list is impressive,” says “Petspose Health Hazards” by Melissa Kaplan, “ranging from skin conditions like ringworm to diarrhea-causing bugs like Salmonella, Campylobacter and maybe C. difficile to more exotic and health-threatening ailments like leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and monkeypox, an animal cousin of smallpox….. You are dealing with live organisms here. And they may bring back and carry home dirty stuff.” (www.anapsid.org/zoonoses2.html)
Dog fouling can lead to severe infections including Toxocariasis. According to an article on the subject, “It causes serious illness and even blindness. It is caused by a parasite known as Toxocara Canis (also known as Roundworm). These parasites live in dogs’ digestive systems. Eggs are released in the faeces of infected animals and contaminated soil. If someone ingests infected material, the eggs may hatch into larvae and can lead to toxocariasis…..Toxocariasis usually affects children aged between one and four years. But cases of toxocariasis have been reported in people of all ages. Young children are most at risk because they are more likely to put things into their mouths and less likely to wash their hands properly.,,,,,,,Symptoms of toxocariasis can include seizures, breathing difficulties, a very red and painful eye, and clouded vision, usually only in one eye. Left untreated, toxocariasis can cause permanent loss of vision in the affected eye.”
The most dangerous disease caused by dog bites is Rabies, which has one hundred percent mortality even in this age of advanced medicine. According to the WHO, the global burden of rabies is 60000 deaths per year. More than 20000 deaths take place in India alone. Africa accounts for even a greater number. According to “Rabies vaccines: WHO position paper”, Rabies in dogs poses a threat to more than 3.3 billion people in the world.
Other diseases include Campylobacter infection, Salmonella, Giardia and cryptosporidium, which cause gastrointestinal disturbances and Ringworm, which causes skin lesions.
The preventive cost of Rabies is quite high in the range of 6 billion dollars.
With such risks to human life, Dogs could have obviously not found favour with Islam. Qur’an is silent on the issue and mentions “dogs” only once in a story related to a group of friends who had left their home in pursuit of the Truth along with their dog. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regarded dogs as najis or dirty, and did not approve of their being kept within the premises of the houses except for specific purposes of security or hunting. Here are a few Hadiths on the issue:
“Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said, “Whoever keeps a dog, one Qirat of the reward of his good deeds is deducted daily, unless the dog is used for guarding a farm or cattle.” Abu Huraira (in another narration) said from the Prophet, “Unless it is used for guarding sheep or farms, or for hunting.” Narrated Abu Hazim from Abu Huraira: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “A dog for guarding cattle or for hunting.” (Hadith – Bukhari 3:515, Narrated Abu Huraira)
“Then Gabriel came and Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said to him: You promised me and I waited for you, but you did not come, whereupon he said: It was the dog in your house which prevented me (to come), for we (angels) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture.” (Muslim)
“If a dog drinks from your vessel, wash it seven times. (Malik Mawatta, Hadith 65) Another Hadith in addition says “the first time to be washed with dust”. (Muslim)
The details about the medical hazards given above are enough to tell that dogs are indeed dirty, and there is no justification in keeping them as pets within close reach of the family members. There are no absolute injunctions declaring them Haram. However Prophetic utterances make their domestication not only Makruh (undesirable) but also extremely close to Haram.
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Read the Seventh Part at
http://worldmuslimpedia.com/qur-anic-dynamic-paradigm-of-health-7-gambling
Read the Sixth Part at
http://worldmuslimpedia.com/fundamental-prohibitions-health-protective-measures-alcohol
Read the Fifth Part
http://worldmuslimpedia.com/fasting-qur-anic-dynamic-paradigm-of-health
Read the Fourth Part
http://worldmuslimpedia.com/fundamental-duties-in-islam-impact-on-health-contd
Read the Third part at
http://worldmuslimpedia.com/fundamental-duties-in-islam-impact-on-health
Read the Second part at
http://worldmuslimpedia.com/in-principio-modern-sciences-mistresses-of-economic-fundamentalism
Read the first part at
http://worldmuslimpedia.com/quran-the-ultimate-guide-in-all-the-affairs
Dr Javed Jamil is India based thinker and writer with over a dozen books including his latest, “Muslim Vision of Secular India: Destination & Road-map”, “Qur’anic Paradigms of Sciences & Society” (First Vol: Health), “Muslims Most Civilised, Yet Not Enough” and Other works include “The Devil of Economic Fundamentalism”, “The Essence of the Divine Verses”, “The Killer Sex”, “Islam means Peace” and “Rediscovering the Universe”. Read more about him at http://www.worldmuslimpedia.com/dr-javed-jamil. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/javedjamil2015/, alsohttp://javedjamil.blogspot.in/. He can be contacted at doctorforu123@yahoo.com