| Answer: (a) The prohibition of the pig's meat is based on
the natural inclination of the animal towards sexual perversion. The female
species of this animal mates with a number of male species at the same time and
the male species show a strong inclination towards enjoying the whole thing. On
the other hand, the male species of those animals that have been allowed in
Islam show a strong inclination towards jealousy in this regard. A typical male
will often fight his rival to win over his mate.
Although the fact that our disposition is affected to a
great extent by the kind of food we take is generally not given much importance,
yet it is on this basis that Islam has prohibited the pig's meat and flowing
blood and the meat of predatory animals and birds. The last two incline our
behaviour towards savagery and the first creates an inclination towards sexual
perversion. It can be observed that such peoples as have the habit of eating the
pig's meat show a strong inclination towards sexual immorality. Islam,
therefore, wants the Muslims to safeguard themselves against the disposition to
sexual perversion.
(b) Liquor has been forbidden in Islam as it is an
intoxicant. It is nothing short of an anathema in Islam that a person should
spend any part of his time in a fuddled state of mind. The purpose of man's
existence is that he should live a life of service to God. He should, therefore,
try to spend every moment of his life in accordance with the wishes of the
Almighty and fulfil his obligation to Him and to his fellow human beings. It is
obvious that any drink that inclines a person's disposition towards inebriation
would be absolutely against the purpose of a Muslim's life.
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