Summary: This has become my algorithm for (re)tagging halal/haram-related questions:
- For questions about the haram-ness of X, use halal-haram (and the tags for X).
- For questions about sins in general, use sin.
- For questions about halal certification, use halal-certification.
- For questions about X, but not about its haram-ness, just use the tags for X.
Long version. The following has become my algorithm for (re)tagging questions in an effort to tidy up the halal/haram family of tags. I tried to make it as simple as possible, but not simpler.
1. The haram-ness of X.
Use halal-haram when the question is about the haram-ness of X. Please also use the appropriate tags for X.
Examples:
Is X haram? (etc.)
- Is it permissible to photograph nature? is tagged halal-haram and photos.
How haram is X? (etc.)
- How important is eating halal meat? is tagged halal-haram, food, and meat.
Under what conditions is X haram? (etc.)
- Is suicide allowed in any circumstances? is tagged halal-haram and suicide.
Why is X haram? (etc.)
- Why isn't caffeine haraam? is tagged halal-haram and food.
Many synonyms and antonyms for "haram" may be used in phrasing a question about the haram-ness of X (sinful, forbidden, unlawful; halal, permissible, allowed, lawful; etc.).
2. Sins in general.
Use sin for questions about sins in general.
Will Allah forgive us for a sin that we commit knowing that it is haram? is tagged sin, tawba, and forgiveness.
Is it okay if we commit a sin with a clean intention? is tagged halal-haram, sin, and hadith-interpretation.
This last one is an example of where we might use both the halal-haram and sin tags.
3. Halal certification.
Use halal-certification for questions about halal certification. (Consider adding food or meat too.)
- Are there any special rules about the halal certification of dairy foods? is tagged halal-certification and food.
4. Questions about X, but not about its haram-ness.
Just use the appropriate tags for X.
- How to avoid zina? is tagged practical-islam and zina.
Comments...
There's a lot of questions; most are not yet retagged to match the above. This will take time.
The usage of sin as per the above would be clearer if this tag were renamed sins.
I haven't figured out what to do with the sharia, fiqh, and usool-ul-fiqh tags yet. However, many of these questions should be retagged halal-haram, and after that it would be clearer.
I intend to edit away the haram tag too. (The halal tag ended up edited away.) After this is done:
when you type "halal" into the tag box, it gives the suggestions: halal-haram and halal-certification
when you type "haram" into the tag box, it gives the suggestions: halal-haram and some obviously unrelated tags: muharram and masjid-al-haram
when you type "sin" into the tag box, it gives the suggestions: sin and some obviously unrelated tags: business, etc.
I'm hoping this will lead people to select the halal-haram themselves.
I edited the tag wiki excerpt for halal-haram:
Questions about determining permissibility: "Is X haram/sinful/forbidden?", "How haram is X?", "Under what conditions is X haram?". (Do not use this tag by itself; add the relevant tags for X.)
I'm not sure if this is the best wording. Maybe this can be improved over time.