What Does Haram Mean in Islam?? Read This!

Table of Contents

Hi all readers! Are you looking for an explanation of “what does haram mean in Islam?”? If your answer is “Yes”, congratulations! Now you are reading the right article. Why? Because that is what I will explain in this article. As Muslims, we have to understand that. That's why I wrote this article. So, you should read it to the end!

Specifically, there are six important points about “what does haram mean in Islam?” which I will explain in this article. The six important points I mean are as follows:

What Does Haram Mean Literally?

The first important point about “what does haram mean in Islam?” what I will explain now is "what does haram mean literally?". I want you to understand that first before you read more explanations in this article because it is a basic question about haram and haram meaning or definition of haram that must be understood well.

Haram is a word in Arabic. The writing is حَرَامٌ or الحَرَامُ.

Literally, the word "Haram" in Arabic has two meanings:

Something not to do or not to do

We can find an explanation of that in the sentence “ الزِّنَا حَرَامٌ” which means “Zina is haram”.

In general, we can find that something is forbidden if we hear words or see writings that have the meaning of prohibition or that explain that something is very bad, such as: don't do, gambling is a bad thing, and so on.

Something noble

We can find an explanation of that in the sentence “ البَيْتُ الحَرَامُ ” which means “Honored house”.

That's a brief explanation of "what does haram mean literally?". As Muslims, we must understand that.

What Does Haram Mean in Islam?

The second important point about “what does haram mean in Islam?” what I'm going to explain now is a specific answer. So, I really hope you guys read the explanation below very well.

If we read some Islamic literacy about haram meaning, we will find several explanations as follows:

مَا يُثَابُ تَارِكُهُ اِمْتِثَالاً ، وَيَسْتَحِقُّ الْعِقَابَ فَاعِلُهُ

Something that if left by someone, then that person will get a reward and if he does, then he he will punished.

مَا طَلَبَ الشَّارِعٌ تَرْكُهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْحَتْمِ وَالْإِلْزَامِ

Something that Shari' (Allah and Prophet Muhammad) requires to be abandoned for sure.

We can find one of the explanations about haram or something haram in the Quranic verse below:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ

…verily Allah has forbidden both of them to the disbelievers. (Al-A'raf: 50).

That is a brief explanation of "what does haram mean in Islam?". As Muslims, we must understand that.

How Do You Explain Haram in Islam?

The third important point about “what does haram mean in Islam?” what I will explain now is "how do you explain haram in Islam?". I want you to understand that because it is one of the important questions about haram and the meaning of haram or the definition of haram that must be understood well, so that you can explain haram in Islam well.

Now, if you want to explain haram in Islam, there are a few important things you should do:

• You have to explain the literal meaning of haram as haram.
• You have to explain the meaning of haram in Islam.
• You have to explain the bad consequences of doing something haram.
• You have to explain the basis of the argument that it is haram in Islam.

But if you want to explain that something is haram in Islam, there are two important things you have to do:

• You have to explain the fatal consequences if you do something like that.
• You have to explain the basis of the argument, that something is haram. The basis of the argument I am referring to is a verse from the Quran, hadith, or the opinion of an expert in Islamic law about it.

That is a brief explanation of "how do you explain haram in Islam?". As Muslims, we must understand that.

Why Is It Called the Haram?

The fourth important point about “what does haram mean in Islam?” what I will explain now is "why is it called the haram?". I want you to understand that now so that you understand why something is called haram in Islam.

Before I give you an answer to that question (why is it called the haram?), I hope you understand the explanation of “what does haram mean in Islam?”. An explanation of the meaning of haram in Islam is the basis for understanding the question we are discussing today.

If we have understood the meaning of haram in Islam as I explained in the discussion about “what does haram mean in Islam?”, we can conclude that something is called haram because it has been stipulated in Sharia that it is haram. Those who determine that something is haram is Allah Taala and the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

In addition, something is called haram because it is harmful to humans.

That's a brief explanation of "why is it called the haram?". As Muslims, we must understand that.

What Are Examples of Haram?

The fifth important point about “what does haram mean in Islam?” what I will explain now is "what are examples of haram?". I want you to understand that now so that you understand some examples of haram in Islam.

There are many examples of haram. Of course, I'm not going to explain everything now. In this article, I will only describe five examples of haram in Islam.

As for explaining the five examples of haram in Islam, what I mean is as follows:

Zina Is Haram

We can find an explanation that Zina is haram in the following verses of the Quran and hadith:

وَلا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَى إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلاً

And do not approach Zina. Indeed, it is a very heinous act and a bad way. (Al-Isra’ 17:32).

الزَّانِيَةُ وَالزَّانِي فَاجْلِدُوا كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلْدَةٍ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُمْ بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَائِفَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

The woman who commits Zina and the man who commits Zina, then lash each of them a hundred times, and do not have mercy on them both in carrying out the religion of Allah if you believe in Allah and the Last Day (the Day of Resurrection), and let the punishment for they were both witnessed by some of the believers. (An-Nur 24:2).

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : أَتَى رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَنَادَاهُ فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، إِنِّي زَنَيْتُ ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ، فَتَنَحَّى تِلْقَاءَ وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، إِنِّي زَنَيْتُ ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ، حَتَّى ثَنَّى ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَ مَرَّاتٍ ، فَلَمَّا شَهِدَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ دَعَاهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ : أَبِكَ جُنُونٌ ؟ قَالَ : لَا ، قَالَ : فَهَلْ أَحْصَنْتَ ؟ قَالَ : نَعَمْ ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : اذْهَبُوا بِهِ فَارْجُمُوهُ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Hurairah radliyallahu anhu, he said, "There was a Muslim who once came to the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam while he was in the mosque. The Muslim then called him, "O Messenger of Allah, indeed I have committed Zina." He then turned away from the Muslim. He then looked away from the person's face. The person then said, "O Messenger of Allah, indeed I have committed Zina." He then turned away from the person. This incident was repeated four times. When that person had testified for himself four times, Allah's Messenger then called him and asked, "Are you crazy?" The person said, "No". He then asked, "Are you married?" The person said, "Yes." Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam then said, "Go with him and lash him." This hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنَّ أُمَّتِيْ لَمْ يَخِزُّوْا مَا أَقَامُوْا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ . قِيْلَ يَا رَسُوْلَ الله وَمَا خَزِيُهُمْ فِي إِضَاعَةِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ ؟ قَالَ : اِنْتِهَاكُ الْمَحَارِمِ فِيْهِ مِنْ زِنَا فِيْهِ أَوْ شَرِبَ فِيْهِ خَمْرًا لَعَنَهُ اللهُ وَمَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ إِلَى مِثْلِهِ مِنَ الْحَوْلِ فَإِنْ مَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُدْرِكَهُ رَمَضَانُ لَمْ تَبْقَى لَهُ عِنْدَ اللهِ حَسَنَةٌ يَتَّقِي بِهَا النَّارَ فَاتَّقُوا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَإِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ تُضَاعَفُ فِيْهِ مَا لَا تُضَاعَفُ فِيْمَا سِوَاهُ وَكَذَلِكَ السَّيِّئَاتُ

Allah's Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Indeed, my ummah will not be insulted as long as they establish the month of Ramadan." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah, what is their form of humiliation in wasting the month of Ramadan?" He replied, "Violations of things that are forbidden in the month of Ramadan, such as zina or drinking khamr. Allah and the angels cursed him until the following year. If he dies before the next month of Ramadan, then he has nothing good with Allah that can save him from Hell. Therefore, be careful of the month of Ramadan, because the reward of good as well as evil will be multiplied."

وَقَدْ رَوَى الْبُخَارِيُّ مِنْ حَدِيْثِ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَضَى فِيْمَنْ زَنَى وَلَمْ يُحْصَنْ بِنَفْيِ عَامٍ وَبِإِقَامَةِ الْحَدِّ

Al-Bukhari has narrated a hadith from Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa salla had made a legal decision for people who had committed Zina before marriage, by being exiled to a place and punished.

Drunken Is Haram

We can find explanations that drunken is haram in the following verses of the Quran and hadith:

يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا اِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْاَنْصَابُ وَالْاَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطٰنِ فَاجْتَنِبُوْهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ

O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. (Al-Maidah [5]: 90).

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ خَمْرٌ وَكُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ وَمَنْ شَرِبَ الْخَمْرَ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَمَاتَ وَهُوَ يُدْمِنُهَا لَمْ يَتُبْ لَمْ يَشْرَبْهَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

Ibn ‘Umar radliyallahu anhuma reported, Allah’s Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Every intoxicant is khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden. He who drinks wine in this world and dies when he is addicted to it, not having repented, will not drink it in the next.” This hadith was narrated by Muslim.

Stealing Is Haram

We can find explanations that stealing is haram in the following verses of the Quran and hadith:

وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُوْٓا اَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاۤءًۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَالًا مِّنَ اللّٰهِ ۗوَاللّٰهُ عَزِيْزٌ حَكِيْمٌ

[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. (Al-Maidah [5]: 38).

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ :‏ ‏ لَعَنَ اللَّهُ السَّارِقَ يَسْرِقُ الْبَيْضَةَ فَتُقْطَعُ يَدُهُ وَيَسْرِقُ الْحَبْلَ فَتُقْطَعُ يَدُهُ

Abu Hurairah radliyallahu anhu reported, Allah’s Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Allah curses the thief who steals an egg and had his hand cut off, and who steals a rope and has his hand cut off.”

Disobeying Parents Is Haram

We can find an explanation that disobeying parents is haram in the following verses of the Quran and hadith:

وَقَضٰى رَبُّكَ اَلَّا تَعْبُدُوْٓا اِلَّآ اِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ اِحْسٰنًاۗ اِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ اَحَدُهُمَآ اَوْ كِلٰهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَّهُمَآ اُفٍّ وَّلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيْمًا

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (Al-Isra’ [17]: 23).

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏:‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ عُقُوْقَ الأُمَّهَاتِ، وَوَأْدَ اَلْبَنَاتِ، وَمَنْعًا وَهَاتِ، وَكَرِهَ لَكُمْ قِيْلَ وَقَالَ، وَكَثْرَةَ السُّؤَالِ، وَإِضَاعَةَ الْمَالِ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

The Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "Allah has forbidden you: disobedience to your mothers, to withhold (what you should give), or demand (what you do not deserve), and to bury your daughters alive. And Allah dislikes idle talk, to ask too many questions (for things which will be of no benefit to one), and to waste your wealth." The hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Torturing Animals Is Haram

We can find an explanation that torturing animals is haram in the hadith below:

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : … دَخَلَتِ امْرَأَةٌ النَّارَ فِيْ هِرَّةٍ ربَطَتْهَا فَلَا هِيَ أَطْعَمَتْهَا وَلَا هِيَ أَرْسَلَتْها تَأكُلُ مِنْ خَشَاشِ الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى مَاتَتْ

From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, that the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "…a woman enters Hell because she binds a cat and does not feed it nor does she let it go so that can eat small animals that are on the ground until it (the cat) dies."

That's a brief explanation of "what are examples of haram?". As Muslims, we must understand that.

What Is the Opposite of Haram?

The sixth important point about “what does haram mean in Islam?” what I will explain now is "what is the opposite of haram?". I want you to understand that at the end of this discussion so that you get a lot of information after you read this article.

In simple terms, I want to say that the opposite of haram is halal.

Halal is a word in Arabic. The writing is حَلَالٌ or الحَلَالُ. In simple terms, if haram is a prohibition or something that is prohibited, halal is something that is allowed.

That is a brief explanation of "what is the opposite of haram?". As Muslims, we must understand that.

All readers! That's a brief explanation of "what does haram mean in Islam?" and some important things about it. Do you understand? If you want to ask, please ask!

I think that's enough for this article. May be useful. Amen.

See you again in the next article!