Makruh

Literally the word Makruh means something hateful and inappreciable. There is no great difference between Makruh and Haraam. Both are detestable and inappreciable. Do not use the term Makruh as a way out or a means to undermine the seriousness of an act. If Haraam is forbidden, Makruh is not allowed too. The only difference is in the degree of gravity. Makruh is serious whereas Haraam is more serious. A Makruh act should never be considered as something which is allowed and which is not serious. It is worse when we base it on the generally misconstrued view that 40 Makruh acts equal to one Haraam act. This is just a means to legalize something which is not allowed.

Makruh can be region as an impurity. There is nothing good in any impurity. So, there is nothing good in something Makruh. Or we can say that Makruh is like a poison. And poison is already a message of death or harm. Comitting a Makruh act suffices in undermining the integrity of a person. If a Haraam act immediately qualifies a person as a Faasiq, then a Makruh act has the same effect when it is committed habitually.

[English version of “Makrouh” - Al Jamiat Vol.8 No.4]