PIG FARMING - Is It Haram?
An interesting view from an open-minded Muslim on pig farming.
By Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan bin Abdul Rahman
I have been following the story of the construction of a centralized
and modern pig farm in Kampung Tumbuk in Kuala Langat and how the
issue of religious sensitivity and racial cards has been played by the
Opposition (i.e. The BN people) in Selangor.
The issue also appears to have been made worst by the lopsided
reporting by the Malay newspaper which obviously is trying to incite
racial sentiments. Please allow me to share my views as a Muslim on
the matter. The Babi and the narrow minded politicians who called
themselves Muslims from an Islamic perspective. In Islam, the eating
of swine is forbidden. This is clearly demonstrated in many verses of
the Quran. Among others this includes: [1] 5:3, 6:145, 16:114-115; [2]
2:168-169, 3:93-94, 6:119, 10:59; [3] 5:90-91.
My research has failed to find any evidence that suggest that the
religion do not allow muslims to be standing next to or to look at or
to smell a pig. Maybe some people in authority can highlight further
on this issue.
First of all, I am appalled at the narrow minded politicians who made
the issue of building a centralized and modern pig farming an issue.
It is beyond doubt that the real issue here is economy, environmental
pollution and improving quality of life in the surrounding community.
The opposition (BN) are making a mockery of this just because of
political mileage. I feel when something good is being done; it should
be promoted by all parties.
I have travelled to St Louis , USA where it is also known as pork
capital of the world. I have visited and stood 3 feet away from a pig
pen. There was no smell. It was so damn clean. It is even cleaner than
public toilets in Malaysia . How many of these politicians have
visited such a farm and how many are involved in goat farming in
Malaysia ? While goat is Halal in Malaysia , please enter many farms
there is in Malaysia and you will see how dirty it is. Islam only
prohibits the eating of pork. There is no prohibition of looking at it
or standing next to one. In fact I have yet to find anywhere in the
Quran that prevents Muslims from rearing it.
During my 15 months tour of duty with UN in Cambodia , many Malay
Champa who are strong Muslims rear pigs under their house for economic
reason even though they don’t eat them. From an economic perspective
it is better to rear pigs than cows or goat. It is simply more
profitable. The pregnancy duration is about 112-115 days compared to
goat which is about 150 days or a cow 290 days. At the end of each
pregnancy the pig produces between 12- 15 piglets, the goat about 1-2
kids and the cow 1 calf. From an environmental perspective, it is
definitely better to have a central farm where small farmers join
hands and run one big and clean farm. This way the cleanliness of our
water way will be maintained. Waste management will become the
epicentre of the operation. It is more economical to run one big farm
than many small farms that are polluting. Overall it is a win win
situation for everyone.
It is insulting the way some politicians look at the issue. I believe
from an Islamic perspective it is quite clear. It is the narrow minded
politicians that played up the issue that makes it into a Muslim and
non-Muslim issue and trying to create a bigger racial divide among
Malaysians. Sometimes I wonder, which has the lower image, the babi or
these politicians. For that aspect, I respect the position taken by
PAS on this matter. It has shown that it has handled the issues
properly. I ask all level minded Malaysian and to re look at the
‘Babi’ issue again. Study the real issue properly and make a proper
judgment. Overall it will benefit Malaysians from the economic,
environmental and quality of life perspective.
Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan Bin Abdul Rahman
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