Contrasting Dietary Habits in the Bible and the Qur’an

Contrasting Dietary Habits in the Bible and the Qur’an

Introduction:

When examining a specific principle in two historic written documents, it is easy to realize some significant comparisons of similar events and virtues, but much harder to spot some of the remarkable differences hidden between the pages. The dietary laws of the Holy Bible and of the Qur’an are perfect examples of these overlooked details because of their strict, yet discrete rules for dining.

Paraphrase primary sources:

In the opening chapters of the Qur’an, the book strongly states to its followers which foods God has forbidden. Pork, decaying flesh, blood, and any animals from a sacrifice for any other god are sternly prohibited (page 19: 2.168) The Qur’an also says that if a person is starving and in desperate need of food and must eat any of this, it is not a sin.

The Bible introduces a different concept. Rejecting much more, such as the consumption of any animal that does not have spilt hooves or which does not eat cud (partially digested food regurgitated back up to be chewed again), along with any fish or sea creatures with fins and tails, all birds, and all insects besides locusts, beetles, and grasshoppers (Leviticus11:1-34). If eaten, instead of being merciful like the Qur’an states, the consumer will be an abomination.

           

Outline:

1. When nutritional laws are first mentioned:

 a.  Nutritional laws are mentioned in the Bible beginning in the first chapter of Genesis (Genesis 2:16-17).

i. God explains to both Adam and his partner Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. The two are granted fruit from any other tree, except that one. As the well-known story goes, Eve is tempted, giving into eating the outlawed fruit, and eventually Adam eats as well. Thinking God does not know their disobedience, they lie to Him and soon are banished.

ii. Without this original sin, future dietetic laws would have not been established.

b. In the Qur’an, however, the first time laws regarding food were mentioned is in the early chapter of The Cow. A small paragraph explains all banned foods, tells the people not to follow in their enemy Satan’s footsteps, and clarifies that God is forgiving.

i. There is no story or metaphor, it is all bluntly stated in one page.

2. Regulations of the diet:

a.    Qur’an: Although the directions for nutrition are small, they are repeated over and over again. This is almost the polar opposite for the Holy Bible.

i.      In Leviticus chapter 11, the list of commands goes on for almost the entire chapter. Still, it is not repeated.

b. There are many stories and lessons regarding food and how to eat it, but the rules are only ever directly stated once.

c. The Qur’an contains no specific stories or narrative lessons having to do with any source of food.

Conclusion:

Even when dealing with very similar artifacts, small details like dietary laws can be completely different. It is easy to have the false illusion that these tiny aspects are all the same. The Qur’an and the Bible together convey a flawless example to prove this statement. While both have strict commandments, they immensely contrast. But these two historical artifacts still express mysteries of the past, present, and future, whether exactly the same or nothing alike.

           

Works Cited

Ganeri, Anita. The Quran. London: Evans, 2002. Print.

Hooke, S. H. "Genesis 2:16-17, Leviticus 11:1-34." The Bible in Basic English. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1982. N. page. Print.