Is it permissible to wear a beaver fur coat?

Everything on earth was created to make human life comfortable. This is a blessing and gift from Allah to His servants. From the day a person is born, they benefit from these blessings.

Among the countless blessings Allah has created for humanity are animals. People eat their meat, drink their milk, and use their skins and wool.

The Qur’an says: “And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat. And upon them and on ships you are carried.” (Al-Mu’minun, 21-22)

Today, even though synthetic materials and artificial furs are widely used, natural fur and wool are still in demand. In winter, both young women and older ladies often prefer beaver fur coats. First, they are warm and light, which is important in harsh winters. Second, people like to dress beautifully according to the times, and a nice fur coat enhances one’s appearance and mood. This brings to mind the Kazakh saying: “A person’s beauty is in their clothes.”

However, in Islamic law, the type of animal the skin comes from is important. Skins can be divided into three categories in terms of use:

1. The skin of animals whose meat is halal and which have been slaughtered according to Islamic requirements. For example, the skins of sheep, goats, cows, camels, rabbits, and other halal animals are considered pure even if not tanned.

2. The skin of animals whose meat is halal but not slaughtered according to Islamic law, carrion, animals whose meat is not halal, and predatory animals. For example, dogs, wolves, bears, foxes, beavers, sables, and other animals whose meat is forbidden. Their skins are considered impure (najis) and cannot be used raw, but after tanning, their use is permitted.

3. Skins that are completely forbidden for use, such as pigskin, which is clearly haram.

In our madhhab, beaver meat is haram because it is a rodent. Beavers eat grass, poplar, birch, and reed leaves, as well as insects, which means they can be considered predatory animals. Additionally, beavers are regarded as repulsive and unpleasant animals.

The Qur’an says: “(Allah) makes lawful for them the good things and forbids them the impure.” (Al-A’raf, 157)

However, beaver skin becomes pure after tanning. According to Islamic law, every tanned skin except pigskin is considered pure. Clothes made from such tanned skins can be worn for prayer, and utensils made from them can be used for ablution (Hidaya, 1/328).

However, hadiths mention that the Prophet (ﷺ) forbade killing wild animals for their skins (Muslim), discouraged using their skins (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i), and that some knowledgeable Companions disliked using or wearing clothes made from such skins even after tanning (Tirmidhi). Imam Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “There is nothing wrong with wearing a beaver fur coat, but it is not good to wear it for show or to attract attention.” (Fatawa Hindiyya, 5/384).

Hasan Amankul,

“Munara” newspaper, No. 17, 2020