Ḥarām
Definition
Haram refers to what is explicitly forbidden by divine command — things whose prohibition is established by clear Quranic verse or authentic prophetic hadith. Al-Ghazali insists on absolute clarity about the haram: it must be avoided without exception, regardless of convenience, social pressure, or financial opportunity. He is also careful to note that the haram is relatively narrow — the broad middle ground of the shubha (doubtful) is much more extensive, and it is in this middle ground that the quality of a Muslim's wara' is most clearly demonstrated.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Ḥarām.
-
"For what you take from one known to have most of their wealth as definitely unlawful, is haram, prohibited, even if it could rarely be lawful, because it is the predominant assumption. Among purely haram is consuming endowments without the founder's conditions, such as attending schools for learning when not engaging in jurisprudence, and taking from vowed donations without meeting the claimed criteria involves consumption of haram. We have detailed the onsets of doubts regarding the lawful and unlawful in a separate book of the Revival of the Religious Sciences, so seek it, for knowledge and pursuit of the lawful is a duty upon every Muslim,"
— Imam al-Ghazali, The Beginning of Guidance
-
"It is clever in worldly matters, but its harm in the Hereafter is greater than any sin. Such is harmful knowledge. Regarding halal and haram, piety from haram is part of religion, existing in four levels. The first level of piety is required for judicial integrity, and neglecting it disqualifies a person from testifying, judging, and holding authority. It involves avoiding clear haram."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 1: The Book of Knowledge
-
"When the moon of Ramadan appears, drums and trumpets are sounded at the emir of Mecca's presence. The Haram mosque is celebrated by renewing carpets and adding many candles and torches, brightening it with splendor. The imams, being Shafis, Hanbalis, Hanafis, and Zaidis, separate, while the Malikis group with four readers taking turns. They light candles. No corner of the Haram remains without a reader leading a congregation. The mosque echoes with their voices, moving hearts and filling them with emotion, eyes shedding tears. Some focus on circumambulation or pray individually in the stone enclosure. The Shafis are the most diligent, and their custom"
— Ibn Battuta, Volume One: From Tangier to the Lands of the East
Appears in
1 book in the library
Hear the term in context.
Every book above uses Ḥarām the way the classical scholars meant it. Listen with the full Study Kit in the app.