Halal and Haram Meaning
Permitted and forbidden. The meaning, Arabic, when to say it, and its source in the Quran and Sunnah.
حَلَال وَحَرَام
- Transliteration
- Ḥalāl wa ḥarām
- Meaning
- Permitted and forbidden
Halal means permitted and haram means forbidden. The words are used for food, money, behaviour and much more. In Islam, the basic rule for most everyday things is that they are permitted unless a clear text forbids them.
Halal and good
“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth that is lawful and good, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan” (Quran 2:168).
Clear and unclear matters
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The halal is clear and the haram is clear, and between them are doubtful matters that many people do not know. Whoever avoids the doubtful matters protects his religion and his honour” (Sahih al-Bukhari 52).
Asking about a specific thing
We explain meanings with their sources; we do not give rulings on whether a particular food, job or product is halal. For specific questions, please ask a qualified scholar or a trusted halal certification body.
A dua for halal earnings: the dua for rizq.
Quran and hadith references link to quran.com and sunnah.com, where you can read the full text. Reviewed 19 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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Frequently asked questions
What does halal mean?
Halal means permitted or lawful in Islam.
What does haram mean?
Haram means forbidden in Islam.
What about things that are unclear?
The Prophet ﷺ said there are doubtful matters between the clear halal and haram, and avoiding them protects one’s religion (Sahih al-Bukhari 52).