Handling pork products: Permissible?

A Muslim is recommended not to handle pork, which is haram (Arabic for: prohibited according to Islamic teachings) for consumption. So, a Muslim is better advised to avoid handling pork on condition that this will not result in causing him or her much damage such as losing his or her job.

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, member of the Executive Committee of the Fiqh Council of North America and the Religious Director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, stated: Pork is prohibited for consumption. The Qur’an says, [Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine] (Al-Ma’idah 5:3).

So, the absolute prohibition is for consumption and not handling the finished products that may have some elements of pork in them, but as a precautionary measure, a Muslim is advised not to handle such products if he or she has got the choice and not much damage is caused because of that, such as loss of a job.
As the fiqh rule of protecting oneself from things that lead to haram, one is recommended to shun all avenues leading to a haram act. Therefore, a Muslim should avoid handling pork as it is haram.