Halal & Haram

Erotica:

Islam puts a ban on all erotic activities, which excite human sex and passion. Hence all sorts of dancing, lewd songs, immodest style of acting and other such performances in public are forbidden. Exciting dancing, obscene songs, provocative dramas and all sorts of rubbish done in the name of `Art` and `Progress` are totally discarded in Islam, because such activities lead to illicit relationship and extra-marital sexual liaison. Misleading use of certain terms cannot make them acceptable and respectable. Islam has closed all avenues leading to sexual corruption. The significant words of the Holy Quran condemns every sort of sexual contact:

“Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is an indecent (deed) an evil way.” Q. 17: 32

Adultery is not only shameful in itself and inconsistent with and self-respect or respect for others, but it opens the road to many evils. It destroys the basis of the family: it works against the interests of children born or to be born; it may cause murders and feuds and loss of reputation and property, and also loosen permanently the bonds of society. Not only should it be avoided as a sin, but also any approach or temptation to it should be avoided.

Since the Holy Qur`an forbids the Believers “to come near zina (fornication), it bans all sorts of exciting and provocative activities that are intended to tempt, excite, and lead to sexual advances.

Alcohol:

The liquor is called khamr, the verb form of which is khamara, which means: he covered, hid or concealed. Since liquor beclouds the intellect and obscures the moral sensibilities of a man, it is therefore, called khamr. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has laid down the principle:

“The small quantity of that, the large quantity of which intoxicates, is also forbidden.” Muslim

It is a well-known fact that alcoholic drink causes intoxication. And when a man is intoxicated, his mind, body, health, religion, moral sense, divine spirit, refined behaviour, family life, business undertakings, social contacts are all at stake.

Drinking Parties:

Not only drinking and dealing in wine is prohibited but also the company of the drunkards. A Muslim is ordained to shun such a feast or a party where wine is served. It is because company of a sinner or transgressor lead even a pure and righteous person to deviate from the right path. It is reported on the authority of Hadrat Umar Ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“One who believes in Allah and the Last Day must not join a party where wine is being served.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi

A Muslim is duty-bound to eradicate every evil found on the surface of the earth. If he himself takes part in such functions where wine is served, he lays support to this malady. So if he cannot stop such parties by force, he should, at least, stay away from such gatherings.

It is reported that the pious Caliph Hadrat Umar ibn `Abdul Aziz whipped not only the drunkards but also those who participated in such parties where wine was served even if they had been teetotaler It is reported that once the Caliph was informed that a group of Muslims were present in a drinking party, he ordered all of them to be flogged. He was then told that one of them was observing fast. The Caliph fell in wrath and ordered:

“Begin with him,” and added:

“Have you not the Words of Allah, the Almighty:

“Already has He sent you in the Book, that when Ye hear the Message of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme: if ye did, ye would be like them.” Q. 4:140

That is, a Muslim should not sit in the company of wrong-doers, even if they are not, at that time engaged in evil talk, as there is every likelihood of their indulging in foul talk at any moment.

Food & Drink:

Islam is the code of life which is Divine and which is fully approved by Allah. It is only by following this code that a man can find success and salvation both in this world and the next world. This religion is complete in all respects and nothing can be added to its contents and nothing can be eliminated there from. Islam has put forward complete, comprehensive and eternal Shadah (law) for the whole of mankind. Whatever a man needs for right guidance he can easily seek from Islam. But it is significant that before declaring Islam to be `perfect` and `complete` Allah mentions what has been prohibited as food:

“Forbidden unto you is (the meat of) the dead (animals, not properly slaughtered) and the blood and flesh of the swine and that over which is invoked the name of other than Allah, and the (animal) strangled, and that beaten down, or killed by falling down, or gored to death and that preyed by wild animals -excepting that you have slaughtered it (properly) and that which has been slaughtered on (idolatrous) altars.” Q. 5:3

Since Allah is not only the Creator but also the Sustainer and Nourisher of Man, He says:

“He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth.” Q. 2:29

Thus it looks strange that Allah, the Creator of all things to be used by Man would prohibit their use at the same time. But the guiding principle and deciding factor in the use of all objects is the benefit of mankind. Hence Allah, the Creator of all objects has, in His Infinite Wisdom, prohibited the use of certain things in view of the harm caused by them. Anything affecting functioning of the body and brain or of intoxicating nature are being prohibited. So far as vegetable foods are concerned, all except what is fermented is permitted.

History of mankind shows that it is mostly with regard to the food of animal origin that peoples of all ages have differed. They have also differed in eating and drinking habits. Sometimes they have been at the diametrically opposite polls.

Hair Dressing:

plays a very significant role in human personality. It makes or mars his or her look. It is because of this that hair styles have been inviting exclusive attention of human beings. Islam also is not indifferent in this matter. Although Islam does not object to keeping of long hair provided the person does not look wild, brute and savage. Islam is also not against shaving of head. But shaving of head must be complete. Half-shaved head is quite undesirable in Islam. Hadrat Abdullah bin `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports:

“The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade Qazas means having a part of a boy`s head shaved and leaving the rest unshaved.” Mulsims

But a woman is not permitted to shave her head. Hadrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade a woman to shave her head. Nisa

Don’t Kill Yourself:

Muslim cannot consume anything that may cause death, either quickly or gradually, Hence, he cannot eat or drink anything like poison or any substance injurious to health. In Islam even gluttony is not permissible. Man is not his master in its entirety; ne is a slave to a Master Who not only creates but wants to keep him alive for a fixed period. Hence, man has no choice but to live as long as -is Creator and Lord decides. He cannot, therefore, do anything that nay put his life to danger. It is because of this fact, nobody is allowed commit suicide. Allah, the Almighty says:

“…. Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful.” Q. 4:29

He also says:

“…And make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction.” Q. 2:195

And His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Do not harm yourself or others.” Ahmad and Ibn Majah.”

If tobacco is proved injurious to health, its use may be declared – Haram according to the texts of the Qur`an and hadith quoted above. Especially, when physician forbids a person tobacco smoking in any form. If the consumption of tobacco leads to wastage of money, without serving any religious purpose, it should invite total ban without any hitch.

Intoxicating Drugs:

Trading in and manufacturing of haram (unlawful) items cannot be halal (lawful). Hence, manufacturing, distribution, or consumption of intoxicants and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. And those who participate in their dealing and promotion are also accursed. Trading in or manufacturing of intoxicants and drugs like hashish, cocaine etc. are also forbidden in Islam. In short, a Muslim is prohibited to get engaged and involved in any activity, which leads to manufacturing, dealing, promoting and consuming of hararn items.

Dress Code:

Islam believes in decency, refinement, good taste, shame, discipline, dignity and purity. Here grace and beauty is the way of life. A Believer is renquired to look handsome and behave in a handsome manner. He must not look ugly, clumsy, ill-shaped and ill-looking.

A shabbily dressed person is against the refined taste of Islam. Hence a Muslim should dress in a dignified manner so that it add to his appearance, cover his body properly and protect him from the adverse climatic effects.

Allah, the Almighty says:

“… He made you garments to protect you from heat, and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does he complete His favors on you, that ye may surrender to His Will (in Islam).” Q. 16:81

Moral degradation is unknown to Islam. Hence, morality lies at the base of all activities of a Believer. Dress is no exception. Islam, therefore, thinks it morally necessary to cover one`s body properly, so that no part of the body appears to be naked. Thus a dress fulfils two purposes: Covering of the body and beautifying of the appearance. Allah, the Almighty, therefore, includes it in His Favor that He has provided mankind with clothing for the aforesaid purposes. He says:

“O ye children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you, but the raiment of righteousness that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition!” Q. 7:26

It should be borne in mind that in Islam, dress is not merely an external device for covering nakedness but it is an expression of culture and elegance. It brings to light social standard of a nation. Dress has now come to symbolize the nationality of man, as it is a case with pure Arabs or an Englishman. Islam has no fixed standard of garment because it is regulated by necessity according to weather conditions of the countries and custom and usage of a particular territory.

Thus, one is supposed to be deviated from the path of Islam it he does not serve the above-mentioned two purposes of dressing i.e., covering and adornment. Allah, the Almighty warns against following the path of Satan by taking the course of nakedness and shabby appearance. He says:

“O ye children of Adaml Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as he got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame…” Q.7:27

“O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: but waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.” Q. 7:31

Islam is very kind to human nature and loses no opportunity to make it refined and dignified wherever it is possible. One thing that draws a line of demarcation between man and animal is shame. Man has been endowed with the feeling of shame but an animal is devoid of it because the sense of feeling is unknown to him. It is by nature that man wants to cover its private parts, while animals has no sense like that.