Is this haram?

Why don´t we ask as "is this halaal?"? I don´t live my life asking at every corner "is this wrong".

format_quote Originally Posted by Insaanah

There is nothing wrong with any of the questions. These are exactly the type of questions that the average lay person would and do ask scholars, for matters they are unsure about. And any person who seeks to have something clarified is to be applauded, for they are wanting to make sure that they are not doing anything Islamically wrong.

I agree that the problem is not with the questioner. A person asks questions in order to obtain understanding and knowledge. A person like that should be applauded.

The problem lies with the person who answers the question. Because if the question that has been asked is vague and general, it is the business of the person who wants to answer the question, to seek clarification, get more information, ask the questioner for more details, and THEN answer the question.

Someone sincerely asks: "Is music haram?"

Group A scholars say yes.

Group B scholars say no.

Group C scholars say, "Well, it depends..... "

And the truth is, what is haram does depend on conditions, situations and circumstances. One also has to take into consideration the asker of the question and what his intentions are.

Just a Guy recently asked the question about dogs.....

Well, he's new to the religion and still learning. What advice are we supposed to give to him? Okay, so Group A scholars say "yes, it's haram!!" So what does this group expect Just a Guy to do? Give up his dogs? Or do we strive to make him understand that the issue of dogs being haram isn't so important as understanding the greatness of Allah and how forgiving He is?

People are at different levels of understanding. We must speak to them at their level.

And Allah knows best.

I don't understand, is this a sports team? Why are people saying 'I support xyz' like you're trying to create a fan base?

Music is prohibited, view this thread http://www.islamicboard.com/miscella...415-music.html there are many other threads like this.

TV is not haram but what TV airs is haram. But since there is so little good you find in TV, people want it out of their house altogether. Even some Islamic channels are giving a really false image of Islam, the manner in which they air their programs seems almost superficial.

As for photos, the scholars unanimously prohibit the drawing of pictures by hand, but there is a difference of opinion in digital media. Some say photos as well as videos are prohibited while some say the opposite. Both have evidences but since this is a grey area so I suggest you look into yourself.

But please, avoid this 'I support this' or 'my opinion is' etc, this is ignorance.

format_quote Originally Posted by Flame

"Is alcohol haram?"


What about alcohol is haram? Drinking it? Using it to light a fire? Using it as a freshener for your laundry? Using it to disinfect the skin? Or for cleaning purposes?

Scholars in my place have answered this question. There are two kinds of alcohol, khamr and non-khamr.

Khamr is alcohol that for drink, or in English it's called liqueur and beer, such as whiskey, vodka, beer, or other alcoholic drink. Khamr is absolutely haram. Not only for drink, even produce, distribute, or sell khamr is also forbidden. But non-khamr alcohol such as alcohol for disinfectant, for cleaning purpose are permissible to used, as long as not for drink.

You can use alcohol based cleaner to clean something, this is not khamr. But if you drink that cleaner, this non-khamr turn into khamr.


Edit : You can visit hospitals that run by Muslim organizations in my place. They use alcohol as disinfectant.

format_quote Originally Posted by Flame

The rules of Islam are not absolute.

Sis, don't speak without knowledge.

format_quote Originally Posted by 'Abd-al Latif

I don't understand, is this a sports team? Why are people saying 'I support xyz' like your trying to create a fan base?

My intention has never been to start a sports team nor to create a fan base. I just wanted to make a point. which is...... general questions are difficult to answer. People are free to agree with it or disagree. And they can discuss why they agree or disagree. Either way, we could learn much by exchanging our views about it. And that's a good thing. For aren't we here to learn?

format_quote Originally Posted by 'Abd-al Latif

Music is prohibited

What about music is prohibited? Listening to it? Making it? Manufacturing musical instruments? Bathroom singing? Whistling? Talking to musicians or dealing with them?

Music is a noun. The prohibition is for a verb or action. What's the action that is prohibited regarding music? If you tell me that, I'll learn something that I can put into practice.

format_quote Originally Posted by 'Abd-al Latif

But please, avoid this 'I support this' or 'my opinion is' etc, this is ignorance.

All that we say in this forum are our opinions. Are you suggesting we don't say anything at all?

Well, no problem. I think I'll take your advice and shut up. It's about time I did. lol.

format_quote Originally Posted by Just a Guy

My dogs are my companions. They are my only family since I don't have a wife and/or kids. I feel alone sometimes and my dogs are the only ones that are there for me. I know that in both the Bible and the Qu'ran, dogs are not looked upon favorably. I have to admit that this bothers me, because if Allah created dogs, why does He seem to hate them so much? I understand that in ancient times with limited sanitation and no vaccination of animals, dogs were disease carriers. But that is not so much the case anymore. I've even asked God, "Why do you hate dogs so much if you created them (well, created the wolf who was the father of dogs)?" I haven't really found a good answer.

Dogs are a tricky issue, and even though I've never owned a dog I think I know where you're coming from... You might be interested in reading Surat Al-Kahf of the Quran (18th chapter)... God speaks about "the people of the cave", and it is mentioned that they had a dog with them. The dog is mentioned as one of their party... One of their companions. But I believe the harsher opinions towards dogs comes from Hadith (or sayings of the prophet, peace be upon him). I think it's only here that we find some rules concerning dogs, like rules about keeping them in the house, etc...

I must admit, I personally don't understand the opinions either... The Quran seems to speak highly of a dog amongst the righteous people of the cave, so I just don't know. Since I'm not particularly knoweledgable on the subject, I tend to leave it alone and not worry about it too much... But I definitely see your side. Sometimes I wonder if particular sayings were maybe talking about dogs as they were in Arabia at the time... Perhaps stray dogs that may have carried disease/rabies? Who knows. It's definitely a topic I wish more modern scholars would explain though. Even if we take those rules though, it'd be wrong to assume Islam is against dogs somehow. Islam respects all animals, and we must treat them all with kindness. I would go to someone who has more knowledge regarding the primary texts for your question about dogs though (instead of asking here) since they might be able to help you understand it in detail...

As for alcohol, the universe is a hard enough place when I am sober. God created wheat, grain, potatoes, sugar cane, etc. All of these are used to make alcohol. Therefore, didn't God create alcohol? And shouldn't I be allowed to have a drink or two now and then to relieve my stress? If God doesn't want us drinking alcohol, why did He create it?

There's no arguing with this point. It's a clear prohibition in the Qur'an, and it's far more explicit/important than the dog issue. God basically says the following;



They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider (2:219, Yusuf Ali)




O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper. Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain? (5:90-91, Yusuf Ali)

There are other ways to relieve your stress, and this is just going to be one of those things you have to give up for your Lord. No need to suffer more than you have to though... Get some help with it and take it slow.

Also, remember... These things are all secondary... Accepting the fundamentals of Islam are more important for you at the moment, so try not to let this stuff distract you from the bigger picture.

format_quote Originally Posted by Flame

Okay. I don't want to stress you out even more. lol.

The reason why something's wrong with all those questions is because...... they are too general.

"Is music haram?"

The question does not address what ABOUT music is haram. It isn't specific.

What type of music? Music with singing or music without singing? Music to enhance the viewing experience in films? Or too much music that is making you forget your duties and responsibilities? Music that you prefer to listen to than the Qur'an? Music that's in movies, documentary films, ads? Background music? Music that soothes and relaxes the nerves? Does it apply to music in all things, all situations and all circumstances? Nasheeds are also haram? Songs about Allah and Muhammad (saws) are also haram?

"Are photos haram?"


What about photos is haram? Does this include all photos? What sort of photos specifically? Family photos? Identity photos? Photos of loved ones? Photos of animals and living beings? Photos of inanimate things? Or is it with regard to hanging them up on the wall for decoration? Or using them for the purpose of worshiping gods other than Allah?

Is talking to person of the opposite sex haram?"


Does that include all situations and all circumstances? What if the person is your employer? Or a person in your class? Or a person who got lost and is asking for directions? What if he or she is a doctor who you depend on to save your life?

"Are dogs haram?"


What about dogs is haram? Eating them? lol. Or keeping them as pets? Is it haram also to keep them for guarding the house... or use them as hunting dogs?

"Is alcohol haram?"


What about alcohol is haram? Drinking it? Using it to light a fire? Using it as a freshener for your laundry? Using it to disinfect the skin? Or for cleaning purposes?

"Is TV haram?"

What about TV is haram? Everything?!!

"Are videos haram?"

What about videos is haram? Everything?!!


More information is needed before such questions can be answered PROPERLY in my opinion.

Assalaamu Alaaykum

Most of these are 'necessaties', it doesnt mean the thing itself is lawful. These things one must be aware of generally anyway, we seem to be making things difficult when they arent allready.

I agree, when the questioner asks someone there will be a need of one with knowledge to answer his questions, it also requires one to gain knowledge themselves. As long as it is according to the Qur'aan and sunnah.

Assalaamu Alaaykum

format_quote Originally Posted by Flame

My intention has never been to start a sports team nor to create a fan base. I just wanted to make a point. which is...... general questions are difficult to answer. People are free to agree with it or disagree. And they can discuss why they agree or disagree. Either way, we could learn much by exchanging our views about it. And that's a good thing. For aren't we here to learn?.

Yes, they are difficult to answer, this is why we need to gain knowledge and understand more about the issue. Yes we are here to learn, but what we do wrong is exchange opinions regarding issue we dont know anything about that is why we can sometimes never agree upon the issue itself. I dont believe exchanging opinions is uniting the muslims either, just causing more disruption within ones faith. Is it not mentioned that one should speak with evidence? rather than speak about a matter of which there is already evidence regarding Quraan and sunnah, but becasue we personally dont agree upon we want what we like and disagree with what we dont like, we dont simply accept something because we 'think' its correct but rather is there evidence of it, has it been agreed upon by the Quraan and sunnah?

format_quote Originally Posted by Flame

What about music is prohibited? Listening to it? Making it? Manufacturing musical instruments? Bathroom singing? Whistling? Talking to musicians or dealing with them? .

The only problem we seem to have here is one agree and the other disagree.. From my understanding if we put it this way, alcohol is haraam, which means we arent allowed to sell it, what benefit is there in selling something that is haraam? nothing, there will be gained no barakah, so therefore we must avoid and try to sell something that is permissable. But in the case necessity like you mentioned in another post, if there is no other way, no other drink to drink, what should one do, i think this is what you want to know right? Allaah does not want hardship for us more than we cannot bare..

Talking to musicians is different to playing/listening to music, in this case you have the chance to give dawah.

format_quote Originally Posted by Flame

All that we say in this forum are our opinions. Are you suggesting we don't say anything at all?

Well, no problem. I think I'll take your advice and shut up. It's about time I did. lol.

subhaan'Allaah No sis, you dont need to 'shut up' sis, you are required to answer questions regarding the deen, we all still do that like you said one should be applauded for asking questions. But whatever is considered Haraam and halaal is in the Qur'aan set for us. We also need evidence regarding what we say, and many of lack that unfortunately.. Why do we need to answer a certain question, when it has already been answered for us? we are required to gain knowledge and teach others of the correct that we know to others..so continue to asking questions.. It is adviced to post evidence with everything you have to say, if you have nothing good to say i.e. with evidence then you should remain silent, as that issue should not be discussed without evidence or knowledge..This is a reminder for everyone including myself..

Greetings Just a Guy,

I know that in both the Bible and the Qu'ran, dogs are not looked upon favorably. I have to admit that this bothers me, because if Allah created dogs, why does He seem to hate them so much? I understand that in ancient times with limited sanitation and no vaccination of animals, dogs were disease carriers. But that is not so much the case anymore. I've even asked God, "Why do you hate dogs so much if you created them (well, created the wolf who was the father of dogs)?" I haven't really found a good answer.

Although keeping a dog may not be allowed in Islam (with the exception of keeping dogs for hunting, guarding livestock and guarding crops), that does not mean God hates them. Islam encourages good treatment towards animals, and the following two hadeeth may be of interest to you:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate." (Al-Bukhari)

Allah's Apostle said, "A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

As I said, my main issue right now is establishing my relationship with Allah. I'll worry about the rest later.

I fully agree. I pray Allaah (swt) will guide your heart and make each step easy for you, Aameen.

I don't care which group you support as long as you support that group which speaks the truth.

Again I'll repeat what I said earlier. The rules of Islam are not absolute. They can be broken under certain circumstances.

Take the case of the question: "Is music haram?"

Group A scholars say, "Yes, it is haram!"

Group B scholars say, "No, it isn't haram!"

Group C scholars recognize that the issue depends on conditions, circumstances and situations, so they say, "It depends....."

If Group A scholars say, "Music is haram!" they are making an absolute statement.

If Group B scholars say, "It is not haram!" they are also making an absolute statement.

It would have been far better for them to say, "In my opinion, music is haram," or "In my opinion, music is not haram."

If Allah had explicitly declared music to be haram, then we have the right to make an absolute statement. But has this been made explicit? Is there any verse in the Qur'an or any hadith of the Prophet (saws) where we are told that music is haram? No..... then why make absolute statements about music?!!

This is fanaticism, this insistence that music is haram.

It reminds me of my early days when I was a new revert to Islam..... I had given up listening to music because I had read a ruling by some scholars that music was prohibited. My uncle who is not a Muslim learnt about this and asked how listening to music could be haram. He said he loved listening to old Hindi songs and wondered how indulging in such an activity was considered harmful in Islam. I immediately sent him a long list of articles on scholarly rulings about the prohibition of music. I might add that I didn't take the trouble to read the rulings myself. I just assumed that scholars understood things better than I did. Anyway, my uncle read the articles. He wasn't convinced. What did convince him though was that Islam was a religion practiced by fanatics.

I didn't want him to think I was a fanatic. So I began to read the articles myself. When I did that I discovered that there wasn't anything concrete in the Qur'an or Sunnah that prohibited music. I realized that the prohibition was a matter of opinion of some scholars and that not all scholars agreed on its prohibition.

That was an eye-opener for me. And from that day on, I made sure that I did not ever follow the rulings given by scholars blindly.

I go with the Group C scholars who say, "It depends.....", because this is the only group that allows room for discussion.

format_quote Originally Posted by Just a Guy

As I said, my main issue right now is establishing my relationship with Allah. I'll worry about the rest later.

as-salaamu alaykum

First, welcome to Islam my dear brother *virtual hug* . My dear brother, that's exactly what you should do. This is why it's recommended to Muslims to deal with new Muslims according to their level of imaan and knowledge and not throw everything at them which might drive them away from Islam, it's part of Islamic adab. But sadly many of us fall into that error. What is important for you my brother is belief in tawheed and trying your best to learn about obligation and performing them with your utmost ability. Secondary issues like "is music haraam, can i keep the dogs" etc will have to come later.

May Allah Azza wa Jal make your journey easier, keep you steadfast and let you die as a Muslim, ameen

PS: Check your pm, insha'Allah

format_quote Originally Posted by ardianto

I support group D

That's fine with me.

format_quote Originally Posted by ardianto

Don't worry sister, after you learn more you will know if Sharia is not scary thing.

Jazakallah khair for the advice. You're right. There's a lot I need to learn.