Halal & Haram

The default is that everything is permitted unless a clear text forbids it. Allah says: “Eat of the good things We have provided for you” (2:172), and “O you who believe, do not forbid the good things Allah has made lawful for you” (5:87). The Prophet ﷺ said: “The halal is clear and the haram is clear, and between them are doubtful matters that many do not know. Whoever avoids them has protected his religion and honour” (Bukhari and Muslim). Only Allah can make something lawful or unlawful, not any person.

Allah says: “He has forbidden you only carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and what has been dedicated to other than Allah” (2:173). In summary:

• Pork and everything from the pig.
• Carrion (an animal that died on its own) and flowing blood.
• Animals slaughtered in the name of anything other than Allah.
• Predators with fangs, and birds with talons (Muslim), and domestic donkeys (Bukhari and Muslim).
• Any intoxicating drink or substance (see the next section).
• Seafood is lawful: “Lawful for you is the game of the sea and its food” (5:96), though the Hanafi school excludes some sea creatures other than fish.
• Necessity: if a person is forced by hunger and has nothing else, he may eat what is forbidden only as much as needed, “without desiring it or exceeding” (2:173).

A lawful animal is made halal by slaughter that respects the animal: “Allah has prescribed excellence in everything. When you kill, kill well; when you slaughter, slaughter well; sharpen your blade and spare the animal pain” (Muslim). Conditions:

• The slaughterer is a Muslim (or of the People of the Book, 5:5).
• The name of Allah is said: “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.”
• A very sharp knife cuts the throat, windpipe and the main blood vessels, so the blood flows out.
• The animal is not tortured, and the knife is not sharpened in front of it.
• Modern practices such as stunning and machine slaughter: scholars differ. If unsure, choose meat certified halal by a trusted body.

Allah says: “Intoxicants, gambling, idols and divining arrows are an abomination from Satan's work, so avoid them, that you may succeed” (5:90). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is forbidden” (Muslim), and “What intoxicates in a large amount is forbidden in a small amount” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi). This covers alcohol, drugs, and any substance that clouds the mind. Also avoid cooking with alcohol, selling it, and sitting at tables where it is served for drinking. Medicine for a real need, when there is no lawful alternative, is judged by scholars according to necessity.

Modern food can hide forbidden ingredients. Read the label and look for: pork-derived gelatine, lard, alcohol used as a solvent or flavour, and some emulsifiers, colours (E120 carmine) and enzymes of animal origin. Scholars differ on gelatine and similar items that have been transformed chemically (istihalah). A safe approach: choose products with a trusted halal mark; when in doubt, avoid, remembering “Leave what makes you doubt for what does not” (Tirmidhi, Nasa'i). Where no halal option exists and you are unsure, ask a knowledgeable person.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “No one has ever eaten better food than that which he earns by the work of his own hands” (Bukhari). Allah is good and accepts only what is good (Muslim), and a person whose food, drink and clothing come from haram has little hope of having his Dua answered (Muslim). Earning that is forbidden:

• Riba (interest and usury) — “Allah has permitted trade and forbidden riba” (2:275).
• Gambling and lotteries.
• Cheating, deception and fraud: “Whoever deceives us is not one of us” (Muslim).
• Bribes: the Prophet ﷺ cursed the giver and the taker (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).
• Theft, and taking others' property unjustly (4:29), including stolen time at work.
• Trading in forbidden goods (alcohol, pork, idols) and hoarding necessities to raise prices (Muslim).
• Earnings from haram entertainment or services.

Islam honours the honest trader: “The truthful, trustworthy merchant will be with the prophets, the truthful and the martyrs” (Tirmidhi). Be clear about the goods and price, keep your word, weigh fairly (“Woe to those who give less than due,” 83:1-3), avoid contracts with excessive uncertainty (gharar), write down debts and loans (2:282), and give the worker his wage before his sweat dries (Ibn Majah). Refuse to sell what is harmful or defective without telling the buyer.

Allah gave clothing to cover and adorn (7:26). Dress modestly, cleanly and without arrogance: “Allah will not look at one who drags his garment out of pride” (Bukhari and Muslim). Rulings widely agreed:

• Both men and women must cover their private parts (awrah) and dress modestly in public: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts… and tell the believing women the same” (24:30-31).
• Pure silk and gold are forbidden for men, but allowed for women (Abu Dawud, Nasa'i).
• Do not wear clothes to show off or to imitate what is contrary to Islam.
• Tattoos: the Prophet ﷺ cursed the one who tattoos and the one who is tattooed (Bukhari and Muslim).
• Wear clean, good clothes without extravagance: “Allah loves to see the effect of His blessings upon His servant” (Tirmidhi).

Much harm comes from words. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent” (Bukhari and Muslim). Forbidden speech:

• Lying, except for reconciling people, in war, and between spouses, as the texts allow (Muslim).
• Backbiting (Ghibah): “Mentioning your brother in a way he dislikes” (Muslim), even if it is true; if it is false, it is slander (buhtan).
• Tale-carrying (Namimah) — spreading words to cause trouble between people (Bukhari and Muslim).
• Insulting, cursing, mocking and calling people bad names (49:11).
• False testimony and false oaths.
• Spreading rumours: “It is enough sin for a person to speak of everything he hears” (Muslim).

For unclear matters, the Prophet ﷺ gave us a simple compass: “Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt” (Tirmidhi, Nasa'i), and “Righteousness is good character; and sin is what wavers in your heart and you dislike people knowing of it” (Muslim). Ask someone knowledgeable when you are unsure. And if you did fall into something forbidden: stop at once, feel regret, resolve not to return, return any right you took, and repent — “Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves” (2:222). Do not lose hope: “Do not despair of the mercy of Allah” (39:53).