Haraam

Haraam is an Arabic word, used in Islam to refer to anything that is prohibited by the faith. Its antonym is halaal.

The most obvious example of things that are haraam are products forbidden by Muslim dietary laws, such as alcohol and pork. Pork-derivated products such as gelatine are also forbidden by many scholars, while others view it as being permissible, or halaal. Colourants derived from insects such as carmine (made from the cochineal insect) are also considered as haraam.

The category of haraam also includes all manner of forbidden behaviours, from adultery to siding with a non-Muslim power against Muslims in war.