Why Are Certain Things Haram?

Things that are haram in Islam are deemed unlawful or forbidden to us. As a religion, Islam is a way of life. It guides us towards good both physically and morally.

But why are certain things haram? 

The answer is, things that are haram are bad for us, it’s as simple as that. What we may think is good for us is deemed as haram. This is because Allah knows best. Allah is all-seeing and all-knowing. We can’t even begin to perceive Allah’s knowledge. 

For example, Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol. The reason for this is the intoxication that alcohol leads to can make a person do things out of their control. Or, things that they wouldn’t normally do.

Another example of something haram, Muslims are not allowed to eat pork. This ayah in the Quran spells it out clearly.

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ

He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [it’s limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

The flesh of swine is mentioned in the Quran as one of the things we are forbidden to consume. There are many reasons for this, one of the largest is that pork is unhealthy for the human body. Many studies link eating pork to diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

There are many instances where people defend things that are haram. For example, people will say that wine is healthy for you as long as it’s consumed in moderation.

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلِ الْعَفْوَ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, “In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.” And they ask you what they should spend. Say, “The excess [beyond needs].” Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought.”

The harms of these things outweigh the benefits. That is why they are forbidden to us.

Curious about the differences between halal and haram? Click here to read our article.