The Ruling on Jackets manufactured from Pigskin
Question :
Recently, sharp disagreements have occurred between us regarding the matter of wearing leather jackets. Some brothers hold that these jackets are sometimes manufactured from pigskin; if this is so, what is your opinion regarding the wearing of them? And is it permissible for us from a religious standpoint, bearing in mind that some books, such as Al-Halal wal-Haram by Al- Qaradhawi and Al-Fiqh 'Alal-Mathahib Al-Arba'ah, have dealt with the question, but their conclusions are not to the point, and they have not made the matter absolutely clear. Therefore, we request clarification in this matter.
Answer:
It has been authentically reported from the Prophet that he said:
"Once a skin has been tanned, it is pure".
And he said:
"Tanning the skin of a dead animal purifies it".
Scholars have disagreed in this regard: Does this Hadith include all types of leather, or does it refer only to the skins of animals which have been made permissible through slaughter? There is no doubt that the skin of any dead animal which has been made permissible through slaughter, such as the camel, the cow, the sheep etc. is pure, and it is permissible to use it for everything, according to the most authoritative opinion of the scholars. As for the skin of the pig and the dog and other such animals, which it is forbidden to slaughter, there is a difference of opinion regarding its purity among the scholars. The best thing is to avoid using it, based upon the words of the Prophet:
"Whoever avoids those matters which are unclear, has protected his religion and his honor. and his words:
*Leave whatever causes you to doubt, in favor of whatever does not cause you to doubt.
Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 2 Pages 38-39-40