Haram: The Forbidden in Islamic Law

Definition

Haram (حرام) means 'forbidden' or 'prohibited' in Islamic law. It refers to acts that Allah has categorically prohibited through definitive evidence. Committing a haram act is sinful and carries punishment in the Hereafter (and sometimes in this world through legal penalties). Avoiding haram for Allah's sake is rewarded.

Categories of Haram

Haram li-dhatihi (Prohibited in itself): Inherently evil acts like murder, adultery, theft, consuming alcohol, and eating pork. These are haram regardless of circumstances (though necessity may temporarily lift the prohibition to save one's life). Haram li-ghayrihi (Prohibited due to external factor): Acts that are normally permissible but become haram due to circumstances, such as prayer without wudu, fasting on Eid, or a sale involving deception.

Establishing the Haram

Only Allah has the right to declare something haram. Scholars derive the ruling from the Quran and authentic Sunnah. The Quran warns: 'And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allah' (Quran 16:116). Declaring something halal as haram, or haram as halal, without divine evidence is a serious transgression.

Major Sins

Some haram acts are classified as major sins (kaba'ir), including: shirk (associating partners with Allah), murder, adultery, consuming riba (interest), consuming orphan's wealth, fleeing from battle, and slandering chaste women. The Prophet enumerated seven destructive sins (Sahih al-Bukhari 2766).