Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 222
222 bite of some poisonous insect or through violence or old age, and in each of these cases it is evident that its meat would not be suitable for eating. The meat that is fit for eating is that of an animal whose blood is allowed to run out, for blood contains several poisons and is always injurious to health. The flesh of swine is prohibited on similar grounds. It engenders a number of diseases. It is the flesh of an animal that loves filth, and is addicted to an unnatural habit which is not to be found in any other animal. The use of this flesh is, therefore, injurious both to health and morals, but as its effects are not directly and immediately traceable, people have not so far appreciated the harm which is done by it. I am sure, however, that the day is not far when the flesh of swine will be condemned as an article of food and the moral progress of man will not be allowed to be impeded by its use. The fourth prohibition in the above verse relates to articles that are sacrificed to deities other than God. It is obvious that the use of such articles is destructive of that feeling of jealousy which a man ought to entertain concerning the Unity and Honour of God. The use of such articles is, therefore, prohibited by Islam. In addi- tion to these, several other articles are prohibited on similar grounds, that is to say, on account of their being injurious to body or mind; for instance the flesh of wild beasts, birds of prey, animals that live in darkness or filth, and animals that eat filthy articles, is prohibited. Out of articles of drink, wines, spirits and other fer- mented liquors are prohibited, for, they tend to under- mine reason and injure the finer intellectual faculties.