Is wearing real fur or sheepskin haram?

No, wearing sheepskin, shearling and the fur of lawful animals is not haram in itself. The main caution is the skins of predators such as lions, leopards and wolves, which a hadith forbids using, and scholars differ on how far that goes. Faux fur raises no question at all.

Wool, fur and hides are a blessing

The Quran reminds us that animals provide warmth as well as food:

وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمَ خَلَقَهَا ۗ لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ "And He created the cattle for you as a source of warmth, food, and many other benefits." Quran 16:5

Fur was worn in the early community too. In one report, a man was seen wearing a fur, and he explained that Ibn Abbas had told him the Prophet ﷺ said tanning makes a skin pure (Sahih Muslim 366). The skins in that report came from animals slaughtered by Magians, whose meat the Muslims did not eat. So the usual concern about slaughter does not stop you wearing a tanned hide. See Is leather from non-halal slaughter pure for prayer?

The caution about predators

Abu al-Malih reported that the Prophet ﷺ forbade the skins of beasts of prey (Sunan Abi Dawud 4132). Scholars read this in different ways:

Stricter: predators' skins may not be used or worn at all, even after tanning.
Lighter: the report refers to untanned skins, or to the habit of sitting on and riding on such skins as a show of status.

Because of this difference, many scholars advise leaving fur from predators, such as lion, tiger, leopard and wolf. Fox, mink and coyote fall in the same debated area. Sheep, goat, cattle, deer and rabbit are animals whose meat is lawful, so their skins and fur are the clear-cut case.

Showing off and cruelty

Two other points are worth thinking about, even when the fur itself is allowed.

Showing off: the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever wears a garment for fame, Allah will clothe him in a similar garment on the Day of Resurrection (Sunan Abi Dawud 4029). A very expensive coat worn to impress is the problem, not the material. See Is it haram to wear designer clothes as a Muslim?

Cruelty: the Prophet ﷺ said that Allah has enjoined goodness to everything, so when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way (Sahih Muslim 1955). Fur from animals kept in poor conditions or killed cruelly is hard to square with that, and many Muslims choose faux fur for this reason.

Everyday choices

Sheepskin coats, shearling boots and slippers: fine for wearing and for prayer if they are clean.
Rabbit, goat or lamb trims: fine.
Fur from predators: best avoided, especially if you want to follow the stricter view.
Faux fur: no restriction.

Where an animal's skin comes from is tied to how it is slaughtered. See How is halal meat slaughtered?

Key points

Sheepskin, shearling and fur from lawful animals are allowed.
Tanning makes hides pure (Sahih Muslim 366).
Scholars differ about predator skins, so many advise avoiding them.
Avoid showing off and animal cruelty; faux fur is always fine.

Tip: When buying a coat or boots, check the label for the animal. "Sheepskin", "shearling" and "lambskin" are easy, while "fox", "mink" or "coyote" trim is the part to skip.

Is wearing real fur or sheepskin haram?

Wool, fur and hides are a blessing

The caution about predators

Showing off and cruelty

Everyday choices

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