What is the criterion for using and purchasing leather?
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The questioner : Shaykh Muhammad, may Allah preserve you, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : My question, O Shaykh, is about leather. We want you to clarify for us, may Allah preserve you, what the criterion is for using leather.
The Shaykh : Leather?
The questioner : Yes, that is correct.
The Shaykh : Leather of what?
The questioner : Animal leather in general, because there are now in the markets some items made from leather, and people feel hesitant and ask many people whether it is permissible to use or purchase such things, O Shaykh. We want you to clarify for us, may Allah preserve you, what the criterion is for using them?
The Shaykh : It is well known that the leather found in the market is tanned leather. Tanned leather is considered pure by many scholars, even if it comes from an impure animal. However, the correct view is that it is not pure if it comes from an impure animal, because what is impure in itself does not become pure, even if it is washed with seawater. As for leather that comes from an animal whose meat is permissible to eat, but you do not know whether it is from an animal slaughtered according to Islamic law or from a carrion, do not worry about it. Because even if it were from carrion, or from an animal slaughtered in a manner not in accordance with Islamic law, it becomes pure once it is tanned. This is like some furs that are lined with the skin of young sheep; we say: wear it, and there is no blame on you, even if it were from carrion, or even if it were from an animal slaughtered in a non-legitimate manner. Because when it is tanned, it becomes pure. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:. And he passed by a sheep that was being dragged, dead, to Maimunah, and he said: .
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : My question, O Shaykh, is about leather. We want you to clarify for us, may Allah preserve you, what the criterion is for using leather.
The Shaykh : Leather?
The questioner : Yes, that is correct.
The Shaykh : Leather of what?
The questioner : Animal leather in general, because there are now in the markets some items made from leather, and people feel hesitant and ask many people whether it is permissible to use or purchase such things, O Shaykh. We want you to clarify for us, may Allah preserve you, what the criterion is for using them?
The Shaykh : It is well known that the leather found in the market is tanned leather. Tanned leather is considered pure by many scholars, even if it comes from an impure animal. However, the correct view is that it is not pure if it comes from an impure animal, because what is impure in itself does not become pure, even if it is washed with seawater. As for leather that comes from an animal whose meat is permissible to eat, but you do not know whether it is from an animal slaughtered according to Islamic law or from a carrion, do not worry about it. Because even if it were from carrion, or from an animal slaughtered in a manner not in accordance with Islamic law, it becomes pure once it is tanned. This is like some furs that are lined with the skin of young sheep; we say: wear it, and there is no blame on you, even if it were from carrion, or even if it were from an animal slaughtered in a non-legitimate manner. Because when it is tanned, it becomes pure. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: