Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salaam Alaikum brother. What is the consequences if a muslim eats pork without knowing it? i went to a dunkin donuts shop one evening while i was studying and i needed a snack, and i ordered for a chicken sandwich. the lady asked me if i want the one with bacon and i said "without bacon". maybe she thot i said with bacon. when she gave me my order, i started eating it immediately i got outside. i was already almost through with the sandwich when i noticed i was eating something like meat my mouth. i opened what was left of the sandwich and i noticed about two strips of bacon in it. i had already swallowed the one in my mouth already.

Is there any consequences to this?

Ma Sallam.

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Answer:

Ate pork unintentionally

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: ….What is the consequences if a muslim eats pork without knowing it? …..Is there any consequences to this?

If one were to intentionally consume any food or drink which has been specified as ‘haraam’ or unlawful by Shariah, one would indeed be involved in a grave sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

But if one unintentionally and unknowingly consumes any ‘haraam’ food or drink, and had absolutely no intention to transgress the prescribed limits of Shariah, there is no sin upon such a person.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.1 Narrated by Umar bin Al Khattab

I heard Allah's Messenger (saws) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

If one indeed happens to consume any ‘haraam’ food or drink unintentionally, one should stop as soon as one realizes that the food was unlawful and turn unto their Lord Most Gracious in sincere repentance and ‘taubah’….it is expected that they will find their Lord Forgiving and Merciful.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 54:

When those come to you who believe in Our Signs, say: "Peace be on you! Your Lord had inscribed for Himself (the rule of) Mercy. Verily if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented and amended (his conduct), Lo! He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 135-136:

Allah likes such good people very much, who, if ever they commit a base deed or wrong their own soul by the commission of a sin, remember Allah instantly, and ask for forgiveness from Him for their shortcomings. For who, but Allah, can forgive sins? (And Allah loves those) who do not knowingly persist in the wrongs they did. These will be rewarded with forgiveness from Allah, and with Gardens beneath which canals flow, and they will reside therein forever! How excellent is the reward of those who do good deeds!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan