Why Is It Called the Haram? An Explanation for Muslims

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Hello, readers! Are you looking for an explanation of "Why is it called the Haram?" If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are reading the right article. Why? Because that is exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, we must understand the concept of haram, and that's why I wrote this article. So, make sure to read it until the end!

In this article, I will explain two important things about "Why is it called the Haram?" These two key points are:

• What Is Haram in Islamic Law?
• Why Is It Called the Haram?

What Is Haram in Islamic Law?

The first thing I will explain is "What is haram in Islamic law?". It's important that you understand this concept before continuing with the rest of the article, as it forms the foundation of our discussion.

Is It Haram to Shower Naked in Islam?

Haram Literally

Haram is an Arabic word, written as "حَرَامٌ" or "الحَرَامُ". Literally, haram has two meanings:

Something Noble

We can find this explanation in the phrases like "المَسْجِدُ الْحَرَامُ" (the glorified mosque) or "البَيْتُ الحَرَامُ" (the glorified house). An example can be seen in the following Quranic verse:

سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِيْٓ اَسْرٰى بِعَبْدِهٖ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْاَقْصَا الَّذِيْ بٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهٗ لِنُرِيَهٗ مِنْ اٰيٰتِنَاۗ اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. (Al-Isra' [17]: 1)

Prohibition or Something That Should Not Be Done

Another meaning of haram is prohibition. We see this in phrases like "الخَمْرُ حَرَامٌ" (alcohol is prohibited). Several Quranic verses mention things that are haram or prohibited. Examples include:

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوْا مَالَ الْيَتِيْمِ اِلَّا بِالَّتِيْ هِيَ اَحْسَنُ حَتّٰى يَبْلُغَ اَشُدَّهٗۖ وَاَوْفُوْا بِالْعَهْدِۖ اِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْـُٔوْلًا

And do not approach the property of an orphan except in the best manner, until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned. (Al-Isra' [17]: 33)

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوْٓا اَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ اِمْلَاقٍۗ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَاِيَّاكُمْۗ اِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْـًٔا كَبِيْرًا

And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin. (Al-Isra' [17]: 31)

يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاَنْتُمْ سُكٰرٰى حَتّٰى تَعْلَمُوْا مَا تَقُوْلُوْنَ وَلَا جُنُبًا اِلَّا عَابِرِيْ سَبِيْلٍ حَتّٰى تَغْتَسِلُوْا ۗوَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ مَّرْضٰٓى اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ اَوْ جَاۤءَ اَحَدٌ مِّنْكُمْ مِّنَ الْغَاۤىِٕطِ اَوْ لٰمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاۤءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوْا مَاۤءً فَتَيَمَّمُوْا صَعِيْدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوْا بِوُجُوْهِكُمْ وَاَيْدِيْكُمْ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُوْرًا

O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying, or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. (An-Nisa' [4]: 43)

وَيَسْـَٔلُوْنَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيْضِ ۗ قُلْ هُوَ اَذًىۙ فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَاۤءَ فِى الْمَحِيْضِۙ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوْهُنَّ حَتّٰى يَطْهُرْنَ ۚ فَاِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوْهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ اَمَرَكُمُ اللّٰهُ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِيْنَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِيْنَ

And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." (Al-Baqarah [2]: 222)

That's a brief explanation of haram literally. As Muslims, we must understand these meanings.

Haram in Sharia

When reading Islamic legal literature on haram in Sharia, we find the following definition:

مَا يُثَابُ تَارِكُهُ اِمْتِثَالاً ، وَيَسْتَحِقُّ الْعِقَابَ فَاعِلُهُ

Something that if left by someone, that person will be rewarded, and if done, they will be punished.

مَا طَلَبَ الشَّارِعٌ تَرْكُهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْحَتْمِ وَالْإِلْزَامِ

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

What Is Haram in Islamic Law?

Haram in Islamic law refers to the same definition in Sharia. The meaning of haram in Islamic law is the same as in Sharia because Islamic law and Sharia are one and the same.

That is a brief explanation of "What is haram in Islamic law?" As Muslims, we must understand this.

Why Is It Called the Haram?

Now, let's move on to the second important point, which is the specific answer to "Why is it called the Haram?". I hope you read this explanation carefully.

Before I provide the answer, I want to ensure you fully understand the concept of haram in Islamic law, as explained earlier. This is essential to understanding why something is called haram.

Once you grasp the meaning of haram in Islamic law, you can conclude that something is considered haram because it has been explicitly declared so by Allah and Prophet Muhammad.

Another important aspect is that something is called haram because it is harmful to humans. This harm is why it has been prohibited in Islam.

That concludes the explanation of "Why is it called the Haram?" and its essential points. Do you understand? If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

I think that's enough for this article. I hope it's useful. Amen.

See you again in the next article!