Compulsion under moral pressure does not justify eating pork

18-12-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

What to do if in a hospital that serves pork and forced to eat in the dining room with other patients including men I am a Muslim woman.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Accountability is not lifted with compulsion under moral pressure and the like. In other words, someone in that situation is held responsible for his actions and is sinful if he commits what is forbidden, among which is eating pork. This is as long as the compulsion does not reach the degree of coercive compulsion, in which case one is not held accountable. To learn the criteria that define coercive compulsion, please refer to Fatwa 196781.

We should point out that it is not permissible for a Muslim to flatter anyone at the expense of his religion. He should do what pleases his Lord, even if it makes people displeased with him. ‘Aa’ishah said: “Whoever seeks Allaah’s pleasure by angering people, Allaah will suffice him with respect to the people, and whoever seeks people’s pleasure by angering Allaah, Allaah will forsake him and leave his matters for the people.” [At-Tirmithi - Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh (sound)]

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 82571.

Allaah Knows best.