Opus 2019-136: Humor Based on Wishes

Every once in awhile I see humorous posters referring to the dietary laws of Islam.  They go along the path that you can screen out terrorist in a group by requiring everyone to eat a ham sandwich.  This comes from a limited awareness of the Koran.  It does say that faithful Muslims should not eat pork.

173a.  But that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that over which any other name than that of God hath been invoked, is forbidden you.

But it does not stop there.  The Koran continues with an escape clause.

173b.  But he who shall partake of them by constraint, without lust or wilfulness, no sin shall be upon him. Verily God is Indulgent, Merciful.

Your little test will not work.  In that situation they might even ask for seconds.  And of course you remember when the Gitmo internees were complaining about the food.  It didn’t need to be halal. 

All Koran quotes are from the translation by Rev. J.M. Rodwell, M.A. provided by the Gutenberg Project.

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