Is Non-Halal Animal Leather Permissible for Quran Binding?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I am seeking clarity on the permissibility of using non-halal slaughtered sheep or goat leather to bind a Quran. Given the difficulty in sourcing halal leather, would it be best to avoid leather altogether?

Also, is kangaroo-tanned, chrome-tanned, or vegetable-dyed leather permissible?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

It is permissible to use modern tanned leather from halal animals like sheep, goats, or kangaroo, as well as from non-halal animals or birds, except for pigs or humans. Pigs are considered unclean, while humans possess innate nobility.

Modern Tanning

Modern tanning methods make all skin and leather permissible, except for human and pigskin. [Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya; Sayfullah Rahmani, Qamus al-Fiqh; Rada al-Haq, Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya]

That which is possible to tan becomes pure after tanning, even if it is tanned in the sun or by the use of earth, such as the hide of a carcass, the urinary bladder, and intestines. Tanning does not purify pig hide or human skin. [‘Ala’ al-Din Ibn ‘Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-‘Ala’iyya]

Please review the valuable answers and links below for further guidance and direction, in sha’ Allah.

Related:

• Is it Permissible to Wear Tanned Lizard Leather? 
• How to Deal with a Possible Impure Leather in Car Interiors?

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?

You can start with the Islamic Studies Curriculum or Youth Islamic Studies Curriculum and work your way up through each course.

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.