What Should I Do With Boots Made of Pigskin?

Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: I recently purchased a pair of expensive boots made of pig leather. I didn’t know that at the time of purchase. What should I do with them?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

It would not be permitted to wear such boots. Generally, animal hides are rendered pure through the tanning process that occurs when producing leather. However, the exception to this rule is the skin of pigs, which remains filthy even after it undergoes tanning. This is because the pig is considered essentially filthy as evidenced by the Qur’anic verse, “for verily it is filthy.” [16:145]

Due to this, it is not permitted to wear clothing made from pigskin. Likewise, it would not be permitted to sell such clothing as there is a legal maxim that states that it not permitted for one to sell to others that which one is not permitted to use. [Ibn Nujaym, Ashbah] In other words, such an item would have to be discarded.

Salman

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani