Wearing Shoes Made from Pigskin: Allowed?

21 June, 2018

Q I recently found out that pigskin might be used in making handbags and shoes. Is wearing processed pigskin in shoes or handbags haram? Do I need to check every item to make sure?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In this fatwa:

Pigs’ and dogs’ meat is not permissible to eat. As for using their skin, it is a controversial issue; while some scholars prohibit it, others permit it.

Answering your question, Sheikh Kifah Mustapha, the Imam and Director of The Prayer Center of Orland Park and representative for Dar El Fatwa of Lebanon in the US, states:

Scholars have different views on this matter; most consider it haram for pigs and dogs skin except for the School of Malikiyyah as they conditioned it by being pure as long as it is dry.

In reality, the Hadith is very strong and clear that any skin dyed becomes pure. And for that I do not see an issue at all by wearing jackets or shoes made from such skins if dyed.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Any skin that is dyed is pure.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Almighty Allah knows best.

Editor’s note: This fatwa is from Ask the Scholar’s archive and was originally published at an earlier date.