The Pure and the Impure

In Islam, many taboos surround the bodies of men and women, who also must perform all sorts of purification rites to rid themselves of their supposed impurities. These taboos are not exclusively Islamic, as they often exist within other religious traditions as well. But where do they come from, and what is their history? Why, for example, is pork considered impure for Muslims? As we will see in this section, these taboos have their roots in archaic Near Eastern beliefs and representations. We will also see for what reason(s) they were incorporated into the new religion.

EPISODE 1: THE PORK TABOO

In Islam, pork (in Arabic: khinzîr ) is perceived as impurity, and the Quran, just like the Torah before it, prohibits its followers from…

EPISODE 2: THE DOG IN ISLAM

It is well known that the dog is man's best friend. Its domestication and gradual dissociation from the wolf are the work of…