THE MEATS WE EAT HAVE AN EFFECT ON OUR NATURE

Ibn Al-Qayyim said: “The most praiseworthy nature of animals is that of the steed; as they are the noblest of animals in spirit, and the most honorable of them; as are sheep (dignified). Whoever frequently interacts with animals will acquire some of the nature and character of that animal; and if he consumes its meat the resemblance will be stronger. For the one who is nourished upon (something) will resemble that which he eats. For this reason, Allah has prohibited eating the meat of beasts of prey and predatory birds due to what consumption of their meat brings about from resembling them in nature; and Allah knows best.” (Madarij As-Salikin 1/406)

Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: “The prophet ﷺ allowed that which is wholesome and he prohibited that which is vile; such as every animal that possesses fangs and every bird that possesses talons; for they are transgressing predators. If a person eats them—and the one who is nourished upon (something) will resemble that which he eats—his character will become like that of these animals; predatory and transgressive.” (Majmu’ Al-Fatawa 17/179)

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-‘Uthaymin said regarding eating the meat of pigs: “It has been said that from the characteristics of this despicable creature is a scanty amount of Ghayrah; so if a person is nourished with it his Ghayrah for his womenfolk and family will be removed. For a person is affected by what he eats. Do you not see the prohibition of the prophet ﷺ of every predatory animal and every bird that possesses talons, because these animals and birds are naturally transgressive and predatory?! So it is feared that if one is nourished by their meat he will acquire this nature, because a person is affected by what he eats; and this is the wisdom in the prohibition of eating the meat of pigs.” (Fatawa Nur ‘Ala Ad-Darb 20/2)

‘Atiyah Salim said: “When we look at the existence of the characteristics within animals we find that they have an effect on a person if he frequently consumes their meat. We find that the scholars have much speech regarding this. From them is  Abu Hayyan, may Allah have mercy upon him. For he mentioned the wisdom in the prohibition of eating pork, and he said: ‘From the nature of this animal is the absence of Ghayrah, so the male pig has no honorable jealousy for the female. Hence, he who eats its meat, the meat will affect that which is naturally within him of jealousy; thus it will be weakened until he begins to have no jealousy for his women.’” (Sharh Bulugh Al-Maram 10/4)

Ibn Khaldun said: “The ‘Arabs ate the meat of camels and acquired coarseness. The Turks ate the meat of horses and acquired ferocity. The Francs ate the meat of pigs and inherited cuckoldry.” (Adapted from Mawsu’ah Mahasin Al-Islam wa Radd Shubuhat Al-La’im pg. 137)

Compiled and Translated by Raha Batts