What Does Makruh Mean in the Hanafi Madhhab

Makruh (or Karaha) linguistically means ‘to dislike’ or ‘detest’. Technically, it refers to an act that is disliked in Shariah.

There are two types of Makruh:

a) Makruh Tanzihan

b) Makruh Tahriman

Makruh Tanzihan

Makruh Tanzihan or Karaha Tanzihiyya refers to an act that is detested in Shariah, without the promise of punishment for the one who carries it out. It is closer to the lawful (mubah) than the unlawful (haram).

Examples:

1) Wasting water whilst performing ablution or being miserly with it;

2) The consumption of horse meat;

3) Not taking a bath on Fridays;

4) Non-recitation of Tasmiya in the beginning of ablution;

5) Not using the Siwak whilst performing ablution;

Ruling:

The one who abstains from it will be rewarded, and the one who practices it will not be punished. However, to make a habit of it is considered offensive.

Makruh Tahrimah

Makruh Tahriman or Karaha Tahrimiyya is a command for abstinence that has been established by speculative proof (dalil dhanni). It is closer to the unlawful (haram) and can also be defined as being in diametrical opposition to a Wajib.

Examples:

1) Delaying Asr prayer until the sun changes it’s colour;

2) To hasten in offering the various integrals of Salat, such as the two prostrations (sajda) and sitting in between them;

3) Fasting on the day of Eid al-Fitr;

4) The Using of gold or silver utensils for men and women;

5) Buying and selling when the call for prayer (adhan) of Jumu’ah takes place;

Ruling:
Failure to abstain from such acts necessitates a sin and punishment in the hereafter, though the punishment will be of a lesser degree than that for committing a Haram, and abstinence will merit a reward. The one who rejects it to be unlawful will not come out of the fold of Islam, as opposed to Haram.

Note: In the Hanafi Madhab, when the word Makruh or Karaha is mentioned unrestrictedly (mutlaqan), it usually refers to Makruh Tahriman. This is a general principle for which there are exceptions.

The above has been primarily based upon the work of the great Shaykh Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghudda (Allah have mercy on him), taken from his introduction to the Hanafi treatise, Fath bab al-Inayah Sharh Kitab al-Nuqayah).

And Allah knows best