12.NON-VEGETARIAN FOOD MAKES MUSLIMS VIOLENT ?

Question:
Science tells 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:

 

1. 1. Only eating of herbivorous animals is allowed
      Some non-Muslims may argue that if a person eats non-vegetarian food, he becomes ferocious and violent like the animals. 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.

1. 1. The Qur’an says that the Prophet prohibits what is bad
      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)…”
      [Al-Qur’an 7:157]

“…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.

 

3. 3. Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prohibiting the eating of
      carnivorous animals
      According to various authentic Ahadith narrated in Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim including hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (r.a.) in Sahih Muslim, Vol. 5, The Book of Hunting and Slaughter, Chapter No. 3, Hadith No. 4994 and Sunan Ibn-e-Majah, Vol. 3, The Book of Hunting, Chapter No. 19, Hadith No. 3248 to 3250, 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, wolves, 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, eagles, crows, owls, etc