Syubhah: Definition and Background Study

Syubhah/Syubhat (‫ )شبه‬is a word that is directly derived from the Arabic language. Thus, direct
translation from the Arabic word gives different spelling when translated into the English word as there
is no definite spelling of the word in the latter language. According to (Hasan Ahmad, n.d), syubhah or
the other word that is mushbooh share the same meaning of doubtful. Mushbooh refers to products
or items which are not amenable to straightforward categorization of Halal or Haram. It represents a
category of ambiguous products that are neither Halal nor Haram. Taufiq Yap Yun Hin, (2017) via the
author’s news article, shares the same view that syubhah or mushbooh could be used interchangeably
as both of these words connote the same meaning, that is dubious or suspicious. Jusmaliani &
Nasution, (2013) in the scholars’ writing strengthened the same idea as the write up puts syubhah and
mushbooh side by side, suggesting these two words refer to the same meaning. Via Salehuddin et al.,
(2016), Ambali & Bakar, (2012)1 suggested that syubhah, or questionable permissibility, is intricately
connected to uncertainties and suspicions surrounding something that creates a sense of unease and
ongoing uncertainty in one's thoughts or opinions. In the Quran, being the most primary book of
reference in Islami, in the verse 87 and 88 of Surah Al-Maidah, Allah mentioned,

“O you who believe! Do not forbid (yourselves) the good things which Allah has made
lawful for you and do not exceed the limits; surely Allah does not love those who exceed
the limits”. (5:87)

“And eat of the lawful and good (things) that Allah has given you and be careful of (your
duty to) Allah, in Whom you believe”. (5:88)

The secondary source in Islam that is Hadith by the Prophet, connotated syubhah or
mushbooh from the lines of:

"Truly, what is lawful is evident, and what is unlawful is evident, and in between the
two are matters which are doubtful which many people do not know. He who guards
against doubtful things keeps his religion and honour blameless, and he who indulges
in doubtful things indulges in fact in unlawful things, just as a shepherd who pastures
his flock round a preserve will soon pasture them in it. Beware, every king has a
preserve, and the things Allah has declared unlawful are His preserves. Beware, in the
body there is a flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the
whole body is corrupt, and behold, it is the heart.." [Bukhari & Muslim]

Based on this hadith, Jamal Ahmed Badi, (2002) opined that in this context, it's noteworthy
that the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, employs a metaphor or analogy twice within
this hadith. As previously highlighted, the use of metaphors or analogies in conveying ideas proves
highly impactful. Analyzing the metaphor and its phrasing ("just as a shepherd who pastures his flock
round a preserve will soon pasture them in it"), it becomes evident that the dubious matters bear
greater proximity to the prohibited aspects.

On the matter of Syubhah, it has been largely discussed in the food matter (Mahmud et al.,
2017), (Shaary & Wan Harun, 2021) (Zaina et al., 2015) (Jusmaliani & Nasution, 2013) as per the verse
of Quran in Surah Al-An’am verse 145,

“Say: I do not find in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden for an
eater to eat of except that it be what has died of itself, or blood poured forth, or flesh

1
Ambali, A. R., & Bakar, A. N. (2014). People's Awareness on Halal Foods and Products: Potential Issues for
Policy-Makers. Procedia - Social And Behavioral Sciences, 121, 3-25.

Nurul Nabilah binti Sulaiman

Definition and background exploration of Syubhah
 of swine-- for that surely is unclean-- or that which is a transgression, other than (the
name of) Allah having been invoked on it; but whoever is driven to necessity, not
desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.”

However, as per the commentary in (Jamal Ahmed Badi, 2002)2 as previously noted, Imam al-
Bukhari documented this hadith in the Book of Trading (Kitab Al-Buyu’). In the realm of commerce and
trading, numerous ambiguous situations persist, both in the past and the present, such as instances of
professional deceit. Hence, it is imperative to exercise caution: if a trading matter is unequivocal,
clearly falling under the categories of either permissible or impermissible, or if it is ambiguous, in which
case avoidance is advisable.

Taking the inspiration Imam al-Bukhari documenting the hadith in the book of trading, the study
inspires to explore the syubhah in the matter of trading in building contract.. (drafted and subjected
to change)

2
Book of Sharh Arba’een an Nawawi Commentary, page 39.

Nurul Nabilah binti Sulaiman

Definition and background exploration of Syubhah
References and Bibliography

Hasan Ahmad. (n.d.). INTRO TO HALAL STUDIES CHAPTER: DEFINITION OF HALAL.

Jamal Ahmed Badi, B. (2002). Sharh Arba’een an Nawawî Commentary of Forty Hadiths of An Nawawi.
http://fortyhadith.iiu.edu.my/

Jusmaliani, J., & Nasution, H. (2013). Religiosity Aspect in Consumer Behaviour: Determinants of Halal
Meat Consumption. ASEAN Marketing Journal, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.21002/amj.v1i1.1977

Mahmud, A., Yudharta Pasuruan, U., & Timur, J. (2017). Kajian Hadis tentang Halal, Haram, dan
Syubhat. In Jurnal Adabiyah (Vol. 17).

Salehuddin, M., Zahari, M., & Abdullah, K. M. (2016). Syubhah semi processed food and rural Muslim
consumer purchase behavior. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317417243

Shaary, K., & Wan Harun, M. A. (2021). CONCEPT OF AMBIGUITY (SYUBHAH) IN NUTRITION: A STUDY
ON THE PERSPECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL RECIPIENTS OF EXEMPLARY FAMILY AWARDS (AKM).
International Research Journal of Shariah, Muamalat and Islam, 3(6), 26–37.
https://doi.org/10.35631/irjsmi.36003

Taufiq Yap Yun Hin. (2017, July 27). Pastikan Makanan Halal, Terhindar Syubhah. Harian Metro .
https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/harian-metro/20170727/281994672559180

Zaina, C. R. C. M., Rahmanb, S. A., Ishanc, Z. Mohd., & Azizd, S. A. (2015). Jurisdiction and Prosecution
of Halal Related Matters in Malaysia: Challenges and Prospects. Procedia - Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 172, 294–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.367

Nurul Nabilah binti Sulaiman

Definition and background exploration of Syubhah