Question:
Asalam alaikum dear Shakyh Mufti. Nowadays snakeskin belts are common and in fashion. Are they allowed to wear? Shukran .
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, after tanning and chemical cleansing, the hide of all animals becomes pure with the exception of pig skin. Pig skin cannot be purified at all.[1]
The earlier jurists rahimahumullah were of the opinion that snakeskin cannot be purified as tanning it was very difficult.[2] However, with all the advancement in the world, tanning and purifying snakeskin has become a norm. Therefore, my respected teacher Mufti Ebrahim Desai Sahib hafizahullah is of the opinion that snakeskin can be purified and is purified through the tanning process carried out today.
Therefore, it is permissible to wear snakeskin belts. Nonetheless, a Muslim should always be as simple as possible and modest in his/her dressing.
The Prophet salallahu alayhi wasallam said,
“Verily, simplicity is a component of faith.”[3] (Abū Dawūd)
The Messenger of Allah salallahu alayhi wasallam said in another hadith,
“If anyone gives up fine clothing, which he could wear, out of humility in front of Allah, Allah will summon him on the Day of Judgement in front of the entire creation to give him the choice of wearing whichever clothing of Imān he wishes to wear.”[4] (al-Tirmidhī)
And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best