What is Haram in Islam? A Complete Guide

Asslamu alekum my brothers and sisters, I’m pretty sure that you people have heard about the term haram, so What is Haram in Islam?

Alhamdulillah, We are so lucky just because Allah SWT makes us ummat of the prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Being Muslims, we should take care of our imaan. That’s why I brought this article to know What is Haram in Islam? Just because of this, the primary thing that we need to understand is the concept of haram.

We have tried to cover all the questions regarding What is Haram in Islam. After reading this guide in sha Allah, you will get the confidence and will understand how to take care of Imaan from haram things.

Let’s dive into this important topic: What is Haram in Islam?

Table of Contents

What does Haram Mean?

To understand What is haram in Islam? We first have to look at where the term comes from. Haram is an Arabic word that literally means “forbidden” or “Prohibited” under Islamic law.

Haram refers to actions which are considered to be prohibited, and Allah SWT does not allow to do those actions. Allah SWT mentioned the holy Quran about some prohibited things.

The opposite of Haram is Halal, which means “permissible”.
These terms originate in the Quran, which is the central religious text for Muslims. The Quran guides what practices and behaviours are allowed or prohibit.

Major Categories of Haram

There are various haram categories, but now we are talking about some significant haram categories. those are:

Beliefs and Practices: This is one of the primary categories of haram; when people do not believe in Allah SWT, they become non-believers, and Allah will not forgive disbelievers on the day of judgment. This category includes.

Shirk (associating partners with God)
Kufr (disbelief in God)
Bid’ah (innovation in religion)
Sihr (witchcraft)
Kufr (disbelief in the Day of Judgment)

Food and Drink: When it comes to another haram category, such as food and drinks, there are lots of food and Drinks which are haram to consume food. Muslims need to take care before eating anything, whether it is halal or haram for eating. This category includes.

Pork
Carrion
Alcohol
Blood
Animals not slaughtered in the Islamic way

Prohibited Actions: Being a Muslim and human, we all know there are some actions which are harmful to all people. That’s why Allah SWT make all these actions haram for human. This category includes.

Qatl (murder)
Zina (adultery and fornication)
Riba (usury)
Liwat (homosexuality)
Qazaf (false accusation of zina)
Sirqah (theft)
Ghadr (treachery)
Khiyanah (betrayal)

Prohibited Social Interactions: Islam is the only religion which tells us how to be a good character and to avoid negative behaviours and oppression with family and society, which come into prohibited social interactions.

Riba (usury)
Zulm (oppression)
Gharar (uncertainty)
Maysir (gambling)
Khiyanah (betrayal)

Prohibited personal conduct: According to me, the end category of haram thing in Islam is personal conduct. If Muslims live their lives without Islamic guidance, it also comes into a haram category. It includes.

Gambling
Backbiting
Slander
Pride
Arrogance
Envy

These were some significant categories of haram things in Islam, and we always try to avoid such practices. And Allah knows the Best

Prohibitions Related to Polytheism and False Worship

Allah SWT strictly prohibited all forms of polytheism (shirk) and false worship (Kufr). However, Allah SWT forgives all sins of a Muslim after punishment except polytheism and false worship.

Polytheism (shirk) and false worship (Kufr) This prohibition includes two major categories.

1. false Worship (kufr). One of the major non-forgiveness sin in Islam is false Worship; if a person does not believe in Allah SWT and denies the existence of Allah, it comes into (Kufr). And Allah never forgives a person who follows the other religion instead of Islam.

Actions Causing Harm to Others

Actions Causing Haram are also prohibited in Islam; we all know harming someone is more painful for all humans. That’s why Allah SWT make all these action haram for Muslims and all humanity.

When we think about what actions come into the haram category, it includes Murder and Violence Against the Innocent, Slander, Backbiting, False Accusations, Theft, Robbery, and Plunder of Wealth. Rape and Sexual Assault.

Being a Muslim, it is essential to understand to avoid causing harm to other innocent people. We should strive to be kind and respectful of all humanity.

Intoxicants Substances

Intoxicant substances cause a person to lose their good senses and control of their body and mind; that is why, in Islam, the consumption of intoxicant substances is strictly prohibited.

It includes Alcoholic Beverages – Wine, Beer, Liquor, Recreational Drugs and Intoxicants, Loss of Mental Faculties and Self-Control.

Consumption of intoxicating substances is strictly prohibited in Islam, as we can understand from these holy Quran verses.

“O you who believe! intoxicants, gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid them, that you may be successful.” (Quran 5:90)

There are many authentic hadith where the prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) did not allow the Consumption of intoxicating substances.

“Every intoxicant is prohibited.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

“Whoever drinks alcohol in this world will not drink it in the next.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

“Alcohol is the mother of all evils.” (Tirmidhi)

Financial Dealings Against Islamic Law

If we are starting a business or dealing with someone against the Islam rule, it comes into the prohibition category. It includes Riba – Interest and Usury, Gambling and Games of Chance, Fraud, Deception, and Exploitation.

There are lots of ways to deal with Islamic rules, including doing research yourself, being mindful of your spending, and dealing according to Shariah instructions.

Sexual Acts Prohibited in Islam

Islam does not allow any sexual acts it includes. Adultery and Fornication Outside Marriage, Homosexuality and Same-Gender Relations, Pornography and Lewd Behavior mentioned in verses of the Quran.

“Forbidden to you are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your paternal aunts, your maternal aunts, your brothers’ daughters, your sisters’ daughters, your milk mothers, your foster sisters, your mothers-in-law, your stepdaughters under your guardianship [born] of your wives to whom you have come in, but if you have not come in to them, there is no sin upon you. And [forbidden are] the wives of your sons who are from your own loins, and that you should join two sisters in marriage, except what has already passed; indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 4:23)

Prohibited Foods and Drink

In this modern world, this is the biggest concern for all Muslims; they usually get struck before eating anything, whether it is halal or Haram in Islam.

There are lots of food and seafoods that are clearly prohibited in Islam, and if a Muslim consumes these foods, obviously Allah won’t forgive them. It includes Pork and Pork Products, Alcoholic Beverages and Carrion, Blood, and Meat Slaughtered against islamic laws.

Dishonesty

Dishonesty is also a major sin in Islam and is referred to as (kidhb) in Arabic terms; this category includes lying or cheating stealing, hiding and truths.

Dishonesty can be in the form of words, actions, or even intentions. Mentioned in verses of the Quran.

“O you who believe! Avoid suspicion, for suspicion in some cases is a sin. And do not spy on one another, and do not backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would indeed detest it. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.” (Quran 49:12)

Disrespecting Parents

We all know many Muslim people disrespect their parents and neighbors, and this also comes into a prohibited category. It is mentioned in the Quran and Hadith in several places.

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age during your life, do not say to them a word of disrespect, or scold them but speak to them a kind word.” (Quran 17:23)

It has been seen those who disrespect their parents usually lead negative consequences in this life and the hereafter life. Allah will punish those who disrespect the family and neighbors.

Conclusion

Allah SWT sent down the prophet Muhammad so that we can know how to follow Allah’s commands in our lives. And how we can avoid all sins and the haram things in this world.

If we follow a sinful life and don’t care about haram things, including belief, actions, food, and drink, we will see the negative consequences in this life and hereafter, and Allah SWT will not forgive sinners on the day of judgment.

No doubt everyone is a sinner in this world, but the best sinners are those who repent sincerely, and making amends can lead to forgiveness from Allah.

The holy Quran has many verses that speak about Allah’s forgiveness, including:

“And whoever does wrong and then repents and does good has truly repented to Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 25:70)

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'” (Quran 39:53)

We have covered all the categories regarding What is Haram in Islam. And what is the punishment for those committed to the sin? If you are Muslim and involved in any sin, please remove that negativity from your life and never lose hope in Allah’s mercy. Allah Knows the Best!