As-salaa-mu 'alai-kum I would like to convert to Islam but I have my reservations on food, especially pork. I am still staying with my Chinese parents whereby pork is a very regular dish. If I were to convert and still stay at home, I am afraid that I may take pork cooked with say chicken without my knowledge. During family get-together dinners/functions, try as I can, I having been trying to avoid the pork dish and I can just ask for God's forgiveness when I cannot avoid it. If I were to convert and later have to consume pork, can I still ask for God's forgiveness? I am really very disturbed with this issue and appreciate your advice. Thank you.
Praise be to Allah.There is no blessing in this world like embracing Islam, and there is no
misfortune, sin or tribulation in this world like staying in kufr (disbelief). The created
being must enter the religion of the Creator, and not wish for any other religion except
Islam. The Creator knows the situation of His creatures and understands their inabilities,
weaknesses, forgetfulness and mistakes, and so He forgives us for mistakes that are made
unintentionally. Allaah does not ask anyone to do anything that is beyond his abilities,
as he says (interpretation of the meaning): Allaah burdens not a person beyond
his scope [al-Baqarah 2:286]. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: Allaah will forgive my ummah for their mistakes, and for
what they forget, and for what they are forced to do. (Reported by Ibn
Maajah, 2033; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 1731).
What you have mentioned in your question that you
may eat something haraam without realizing is not something for which you will be
punished. As long as you are going to do your best to avoid what Allaah has prohibited
which is what you have indicated in your question then there is no sin on
you. Even if a person does commit a haraam deed, Islam still offers a way out from every
sin, in the form of repentance, remorse, determination not to repeat the sin, and seeking
forgiveness from Allaah. This guarantees that the sin will be erased. So go ahead with
determination, and do not hesitate. Allaah will be with you and will not let you down so
long as you are following the religion with which He is pleased. May Allaah help you and
keep you on the Straight Path. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad..