As-salaa-mu ‘alai-kum
I would like to convert to Islam but I have my reservations on food,
especially pork. I am still staying with my Chinese parents whereby pork is a very regular
dish. If I were to convert and still stay at home, I am afraid that I may take pork cooked
with say chicken without my knowledge.
During family get-together dinners/functions, try as I can, I having been
trying to avoid the pork dish and I can just ask for God’s forgiveness when I cannot avoid
it. If I were to convert and later have to consume pork, can I still ask for God’s
forgiveness?
I am really very disturbed with this issue and appreciate your advice.
Thank you.
0 / 0
14,70612/08/1998
Wants to embrace Islam but fears eating pork without knowing
Question: 2607
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.
There is no blessing in this world like embracing Islam, and there is no misfortune, sin or tribulation in this world like staying in kufr (disbelief). The created being must enter the religion of the Creator, and not wish for any other religion except Islam. The Creator knows the situation of His creatures and understands their inabilities, weaknesses, forgetfulness and mistakes, and so He forgives us for mistakes that are made unintentionally. Allaah does not ask anyone to do anything that is beyond his abilities, as he says (interpretation of the meaning): Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope [al-Baqarah 2:286]. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Allaah will forgive my ummah for their mistakes, and for what they forget, and for what they are forced to do.
(Reported by Ibn Maajah, 2033; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 1731).
What you have mentioned in your question that you may eat something haraam without realizing is not something for which you will be punished. As long as you are going to do your best to avoid what Allaah has prohibited which is what you have indicated in your question then there is no sin on you. Even if a person does commit a haraam deed, Islam still offers a way out from every sin, in the form of repentance, remorse, determination not to repeat the sin, and seeking forgiveness from Allaah. This guarantees that the sin will be erased. So go ahead with determination, and do not hesitate. Allaah will be with you and will not let you down so long as you are following the religion with which He is pleased. May Allaah help you and keep you on the Straight Path. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
.
Was this answer helpful?
Source:
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
Our newsletter
To join our newsletter please add your email below
IslamQA App
For a quick access to our content and offline browsing
