Haram
/ˈhɑːrɑːm/noun
In Islamic law, something forbidden or prohibited.
Did you know?In Arabic, ḥarām is the direct opposite of ḥalāl, and both words come from a legal-religious system of boundaries that can make ordinary actions spiritually charged.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
PS
*Ḥ-R-M
“A root meaning to forbid, protect, or make sacred/untouchable.”
Classical Arabic
Ar
ḥarām
“Forbidden, sacred, inviolable.”
Classical Arabic
Ar
ḥarīm
“A protected place or women’s quarters; something set apart and guarded.”
Classical Arabic
Ar
iḥrām
“The sacred state entered during pilgrimage, marked by ritual restrictions.”
Modern English
English
haram
“A loanword used in discussions of Islamic law for what is religiously prohibited.”