Halal & Haram

Permissible & Forbidden — Hanafi Fiqh

Hanafi school — for educational purposes

The Islamic Principle

Everything in Islam is classified as either Halal (permissible) or Haram (forbidden). The default ruling for things in this world is permissibility — Allah says: "He has forbidden to you only what dies of itself ( carrion), blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah." (Surah Al-An'am 6:146)

Anything not explicitly forbidden is Halal by default. When in doubt, the principle is: "What Allah has permitted in His Book is Halal. What He has forbidden is Haram. And what He has remained silent about is pardoned." (Hadith — Tirmidhi)

What is Forbidden to Eat?

Carrion (Maitah)

Any animal that has died without being properly slaughtered. This includes fish that died outside of water (unless it was alive when pulled from water), and insects that died naturally. Exception: fish and locusts are Halal even if they die naturally in water.

Blood

The flowing blood of any animal is haram. However, blood that remains in the vessels after slaughter is permissible, which is why halal butchered meat sold in stores appears bloody. Fish blood is generally considered minimal.

Pork (Lahm al-Khinzir)

All parts of the pig, in any form — pork, lard, gelatin derived from pork, and any product containing pork or its derivatives. This includes most commercial sausages, bacon, ham, and many processed foods containing pork-based gelatin or fat. Always check ingredients carefully.

Meat Dedicated to Other Than Allah

Any animal slaughtered in the name of or with dedication to something other than Allah (idols, crosses, etc.). This is different from meat slaughtered by People of the Book (Jews and Christians) — see below.

Intoxicants & Harmful Substances

Alcohol and All Intoxicants

Every intoxicant is haram. This includes wine, beer, spirits, and any substance that causes loss of reason or consciousness when consumed. The Quran calls intoxicants "abomination" ( Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:90). This extends to recreational marijuana, illegal drugs, and any mind-altering substance.

Medications Containing Alcohol or Intoxicants

Medications with negligible alcohol content that has evaporated (like vanilla extract in food) are generally permissible. However, medications containing actual intoxicants are impermissible unless no lawful alternative exists and a doctor prescribes it — then the rule of necessity applies.

Recreational Drugs

All recreational and mind-altering drugs not medically prescribed are haram. This includes marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and similar substances — regardless of legality in a given country.

What Animals Are Halal?

Always Halal — Sea Animals

Fish and all seafood are Halal by default:

  • • All fish ( scales are a sunnah condition, not a hard requirement in Hanafi)
  • • Shrimp, prawns, crab, lobster
  • • Oysters, mussels, clams
  • • Squid, octopus, calamari
  • • All types of fish oil supplements

Land Animals — Requires Slaughter

Land animals with flowing blood require proper Islamic slaughter:

  • • Cows, buffaloes, calves
  • • Sheep and goats (all breeds)
  • • Camels (halal when properly slaughtered)
  • • Chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese
  • • Deer, rabbit, other game
  • • Horses are Halal in Hanafi but disliked

Animals That Are Haram (Land)

Dogs (except for specific permitted work), cats (disliked but not haram), pigs (completely haram), predatory animals (lions, tigers, wolves, etc.), birds of prey (eagle, falcon, hawk), reptiles and insects (generally discouraged with some variation among scholars).

The Islamic Slaughter (Dhabh)

For land animals to be Halal, they must be slaughtered according to Islamic law:

The slaughterer must be a Muslim, Christian, or Jew (People of the Book) who believes in Allah by name
The name of Allah must be pronounced at the time of slaughter (Bismillah Allahu Akbar)
The four vessels must be cut: the windpipe (halqum), the gullet (mari'), and the two jugular veins (al-wadajayn)
The animal must be alive at the time of slaughter
The knife must be sharp and the slaughter should be done quickly
The blood must flow freely ( Islam considers this part of what purifies the meat)

Note on meat slaughtered by People of the Book (Christians and Jews): The Hanafi school permits meat slaughtered by Jews and Christians (if done properly and they invoke Allah's name). The Malikis and Shafi'is do not permit it. When in doubt, look for Halal certification.

Other Haram Items in Daily Life

Gelatin

Pork gelatin is haram. Bovine (cow) gelatin is generally permissible. Fish gelatin is Halal.

Rennet

Animal rennet from non-halal slaughtered animals is impermissible. Microbial and vegetable rennet are Halal.

Lard and Animal Fats

Lard ( pork fat) is haram. Other animal fats must come from Halal-slaughtered animals.

Cosmetics with Haram Ingredients

Lipstick, lipstick, and skincare containing pork-derived ingredients, alcohol, or other haram substances are problematic — especially those ingested or absorbed through the skin.

Music & Entertainment

Music with haram lyrics (obscene, polytheistic, etc.) is impermissible. Scholars differ on permissible music — that which does not contain prohibited content is a matter of scholarly debate.

Interest (Riba)

All forms of interest and usury are haram. Conventional bank interest ( Fixed or variable) is prohibited. Islamic finance products (murabaha, ijara, etc.) are compliant alternatives.

Related Fiqh References

Hanafi

These references show where related Hanafi rulings are indexed in the SeekDeen fiqh database. Detailed lesson explanations are being reviewed separately.

Have a question about halal or haram?

Ask SeekDeen about a specific product, food, or ingredient you are unsure about.

Ask
All Fiqh Topics