What is Makrooh and Haram in Islam?

’Learn about Makrooh to avoid sins’’
Are you confused about the concept of Makruh In Islam? Do you want to know the examples of Makrooh for better implementations in your life? The meaning of makruh in Islam refers to actions that are disliked or discouraged but are not sinful in the same way as Haram activities. We can lead towards the righteous path by adopting Islamic studies to bless Allah.

In this blog, you will find an understanding of these concepts for seeking to lead a righteous life, as it reflects a commitment to spiritual growth, self-discipline, and a desire to please Allah

Makruh Meaning(مکروہ)

It is an Arabic word and the literal meaning of this term is ‘’Actions that are prohibited’’. The meaning of Makruh in detail is ‘something that we must not consider reasonable or recommended, but it’s not as bad as something forbidden.
Makrouh actions are things that Muslims are advised to avoid, but they are not sinful in a severe way like haram’s actions.
By understanding the meaning of makrooh, Muslims try to avoid such actions to be more faithful and obedient to their beliefs.

What is Makruh In Islam?

Makruh In Islam means “those actions that are not nice’’. The Prophet Muhammad told us about makruh’s stuff.

• He said doing some things may cause problems later, like eating with your right hand only.
• Blowing food to cool.
• Cutting nails at night and leaving home without prayer are also makrouh.
• Men wearing lots of gold.
• Small gambling and tiny drinks, depending on why you do it.
• Big gambling and heavy drinking are strictly forbidden.

Many scholars say to try not to do makruh’s things if you can. It’s okay by mistake, but don’t make it a habit. Accordingly, things that Makruh In Islam because it may lead to bad stuff. It helps Muslims know what’s okay sometimes but also what’s better not to do a lot. This makes following Allah’s rules easier.

What Is Makruh Food In Islam

According to Islamic dietary guidelines, what is makruh in Islam for eating refers to food items or ingredients that are considered disliked or disheartened. Consuming such foods is not sinful, but Muslims should avoid them to maintain a more pious and virtuous lifestyle
Examples of makruh foods can vary among different Islamic traditions and scholars, but some common examples include:

Garlic and onions

In some traditions, these foods are considered Makruh In Islam because they can cause bad breath, which may be undesirable during prayer and other religious activities.

Leeks

Like garlic and onions, leeks are sometimes discouraged due to their strong odour.

Foods with strong smells

Any food with a very strong or unpleasant smell may be considered Makrouh because it can interfere with a person’s ability to focus on prayers and worship

Makruh Tahrimi

“Makruh Tahrimi” refers to actions in Islam that are discouraged to the extent that they are close to being Haram (forbidden). Understanding of Makruh tahrimi meaning explains that these actions are strongly discouraged and carry a higher level of disapproval in the teachings of Islam. Here are a few examples;

Makruh Tahrimi Actions In Namaz

• Breaking knuckles (In Masjid while offering prayer)
• Offering prayer while having a picture of some living things on clothes or in surroundings

Makruh Tahrimi Action In Taking Ghusal

• Leaving some portion of the body dry
• Not taking complete ablution while Ghusal
• Not following the Sunnah patter for Ghusal

Makruh Tahrimi Actions In Wudu

• Taking ablution
• Prickling in the nose with the right hand
• Doing wudu against the Sunnah procedure
• Talking about worldly matters while wudu

Carving Tattoos on the human body is also included in ‘Makruh Tehrimi’ actions.

Makruh Tanzihi

Makruh Tanzihi tells us about the actions that are also not supposed to be done according to Islam. These actions are not supported by Hadith and the Quran but are comparatively less disliked actions than those of Makruh Tahrimi actions. Here are a few examples that will deliver the complete meanings of

Makrooh Tanzihi Actions

• Laughing loudly during Azaan or Obligatory Prayer
• Wasting excessive amounts of water without any special reason
• Being a negative critic of someone’s actions or views unnecessarily
• Performing action that causes diversion from offering regular prayers
• Sitting like a dog while performing Sajdah
• Unnecessarily turning neck left to right while offering the prayer

Engaging in such actions distracts individuals from the focus and solemnity of prayer and promotes wastefulness, which goes against the principles of moderation and conservation taught in Islam.

Difference Between Halal and Haram

Halal and haram are two different classifications of actions or behaviors in Islam, and they have distinct meanings and consequences:

Halal

Halal refers to all those actions that are supported and endorsed by Allah Almighty and Muhammad (S.A.W). Halal means ‘the actions that are allowed and are in favor of Islam’’.

List Of Halals In Islam

• Eating Halal food (Halal meat, Halal vegetables, Halal Drinks)
• Nikah (Marriage according to Islamic laws)
• Earning money through Halal ways

These are the actions that are allowed for Muslims according to the Quran and Sunnah.

Haram

Haram meaning refers to actions or behaviors that are strictly forbidden and sinful in Islam. Haram things considered a severe violation of Islamic law and leads to sin and moral wrongdoing. Furthermore, consuming alcohol, theft, and adultery are Haram. Committing these sins is seen as a direct violation of Islamic teachings and is strongly condemned. Following is the list of harams that are strictly prohibited by the religion Islam.

List of Harams things In Islam:

• Listening to music
• Drinking Alcohol and Gambling
• Murdering (Few exceptions like Qissas, Rajam)
• Suicidal acts
• Deducing self-predicted results from the verses of the Quran
• Slaughtering the animals against the rules of Sunnah
• Men wearing Silk and Gold
• Eating food that is not allowed by Allah (Meat of dogs, cats, bats, eagles, shark fish, and pigs)
• Earning money with illegal interest (Riba)

Hence, Muslims are generally encouraged to avoid these actions, but the consequences for engaging in Haram things are much more severe under the laws of Islam.

References From The Quran About Halal And Haram

Allah says;

اِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَیْكُمُ الْمَیْتَةَ وَ الدَّمَ وَ لَحْمَ الْخِنْزِیْرِ وَ مَاۤ اُهِلَّ بِهٖ لِغَیْرِ اللّٰهِۚ-فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَیْرَ بَاغٍ وَّ لَا عَادٍ فَلَاۤ اِثْمَ عَلَیْهِؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ(173)

‘’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 [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful’’
[Surah Baqrah: 173]

اَلشَّهْرُ الْحَرَامُ بِالشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ وَ الْحُرُمٰتُ قِصَاصٌؕ-فَمَنِ اعْتَدٰى عَلَیْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُوْا عَلَیْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدٰى عَلَیْكُمْ۪-وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَ اعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِیْنَ(194).

‘’[Fighting in] the sacred month is for [aggression committed in] the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him’’.
[Surah Bakrah:194]

Last Words

In this blog, we provided condensed information on these terminologies according to the Quran and Sunnah. In Islam, Makruh or Makrooh refers to discouraged or disliked actions that are not sinful in the same way as haram (forbidden) actions. We must follow these rules if we want to be the loved ones of Allah (SWT) and His Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). To collect all such pieces of information from an authentic source eQuranekareem provides useful information for all ages.

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