In the Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Ever Compassionate…
It is important to differentiate between “khamr” (intoxicants) and “alcohol”.*
The substance called “alcohol” is of three types:
1) That which is deadly, if you consume it you will die or become seriously ill. This is considered “summ“ (poison) and it is permissible to buy, sell, transport, or use it, but not consume it. You can use it when found in mouthwash, perfume, bug spray, etc., but not in foods or drinks.
2) That which intoxicates when consumed, a little of it or a lot, then it considered Khamr (intoxicant), and it is not permissible to buy, sell, transport, use, or consume. The scholarly verdicts mentioned here and here refer to this category: khamr.
3) That which does not intoxicate no matter how much of it is consumed, then it is not a khamr, rather it is halaal, like the small amounts of alcohol found in many foods and drinks that we eat every day. This type is permissible to buy, sell, transport, use, and consume.
So if the type of alcohol used in your medicine or food is type #3, then you may use and/or consume it. If it is type #1 or #2, then NO, unless the resulting product has a diluted amount, so small that it does not make the product an intoxicant, even when large amounts are consumed.
And Allaah knows best.
*[I learned this point from Shaykh Muhammad Baazmool, who relays it from al-‘Allaamah Al-Albaanee, may Allaah have Mercy on them both.]
Written by: Moosaa Richardson
ST Archives – Originally Published 03-11-2007
You said: May Allah have mercy on them both. Has Shaykh Muhammad Baazmool passed away? I didn’t hear anything about this.
No – May Allaah have Mercy on you! – Shaykh Muhammad Baazmool is alive and well, wal-hamdulillaah.
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakathahu
Brother, Could you please give some example of third kind of food that does not intoxicate?
Salaam alaykum,
Most fruits have minute amounts of alcohol in them naturally. No matter how many raisins you eat, you won’t become intoxicated.
Similarly, natural, unrefined fruit juices will also have traces of alcohol, but don’t intoxicate in any volume.
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Exactly, Michael, but the point is, if we were to extract only the tiny amounts of alcohol from a number of fruits and combine only the extracted alcohol in one drink which intoxicates, this would not prove that the fruits themselves are haraam.
But the Holy Prophet (S. A. W) said that all intoxicants are haram wether small or big. Are we not to reckon with that?
May Allaah reward you and bless you for visiting and asking your question. We are all learning, wal-hamdulillaah, and there are a few points that we can pick up from this question:
1. “Holy” is not an appropriate description of our beloved Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace). He was a human being, not divine, and he received revelation from Allaah. It is reported that he (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said: لا تطروني كما أطرأت النصارى ابن مريم (Do not raise me above my level as the Christians did to Ibn Maryam). See the last two Verses of Soorah al-Kahf.
2. “SAW” is not sufficient for us to fulfill the obligation of sending salaat and salaam upon the Messenger. Refer to this beneficial article: https://www.bakkah.net/en/saw-saws-pbuh.htm
3. In response to your question: Exactly, all intoxicants are haraam, small or big. That is the point of the article. It is very helpful to distinguish between the word alcohol and khamr (intoxicant). Without keeping this in mind, we would have to consider apples, dates, bread, and other basic food items to be intoxicants because of the small amounts of “alcohol” found in them naturally.
May Allaah bless us and increase us in understanding. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamualaikum, does perfumes having little alcohol content in them fall under category 3? is it permissible to use such perfumes?
wa ‘alaykis-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. If someone consumed perfume as a beverage, he would become ill or die, not get intoxicated. Therefore, the ruling on such a perfume is that (when consumed, which is rare) it is summ (poison), which is permissible to buy, sell, and use for beneficial purposes.
If there does actually exist a perfume that actually intoxicates when consumed, then it would be a khamr (intoxicant), and would not be permissible to drink, own, buy, sell, or transport. And Allaah knows best.
Asalaamoe aleikom wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,
I am in Mina for hajj. I was spraying mosquito repellent on my hands, face and feet and someone told me it is not aloud in the state of ihraam because it contains alcohol. I have found no evidence for it so for. Is this correct?
BarakaAllahu fiek
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. What violates ihraam is perfume, not the presence of alcohol in a substance. I do not believe that mosquito repellent could qualify as perfume in any way, and Allah knows best. May Allah bless your Hajj and accept from you.
Is vanilla extract then permissible if used only in cooking?
Assalam alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barkatuhu
What is the ruling of vanilla extract
BarukaAllah feekum
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Ustadh could you please clarify for us if vanilla extract is halal to use, such we see many chocolate bars containing them and other sweet food?
Is it permissible for us to eat, such as the chocolate bar Kitkat contains vanilla?
3) That which does not intoxicate no matter how much of it is consumed, then it is not a khamr, rather it is halaal, like the small amounts of alcohol found in many foods and drinks that we eat every day. This type is permissible to buy, sell, transport, use, and consume.
As-Salaamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu,
May Allah reward you for sharing this important and beneficial information.
What about nutmeg? Is it permissible to ingest if it is an ingredient in food? It does alter the taste of food, and it is a known intoxicant and can be considered a poison in some ways.
What about medications like hydrocodone or vicodin?
Lastly, what about soy sauce? Most soy sauce has enough alcohol content to be questionable as to whether it can intoxicate (2-3% by volume – some internet sites say that official “alcoholic beverage” level in the U.S. is 0.5%), but so much salt that it is conceivable that it would cause severe dehydration before intoxication.
Jazakallahu khayran.
Wa alaykoum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatu,
https://www.bakkah.net/en/nutmeg-the-spice-is-an-intoxicant-khamr.htm#more-3865
Assalamu Aleikum,
Jazak Allahu kahiran yaa Moosaa.
To proceed:
Most perfumes these days contain what is called “Alcohol Denat.” (denatured alcohol).
Basically, this is ethanol (the type of alcohol which intoxicates) which has had some additives added to it to make it “…poisonous, extremely bad tasting, foul smelling or nauseating, to discourage recreational consumption.” (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatured_alcohol)
So the alcohol is NOT chemically altered, rather it just has stuff added to it to make it undrinkable.
What’s the ruling on using such perfumes ?
Baaraka Allaahu feekum
Assalamualikum,
What is the ruling on this as the brother has mentioned … can we use such types of perfumes??
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Types of alcohol that is summ (poision) but not khamr (intoxicant) can be traded and used for benefit (like perfume), but not consumed obviously. This is what Shaykh Muhammad Baazmool narrated to me from al-‘Allaamah al-Albaanee.
Bismillahi Rahmaani Raheem
Assalamualaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
BaarakAllahu feek; regarding the third type of alcohol mentioned, does this mean that foods which contain alcohol as one of the ingredients, but have an amount of it which CANNOT intoxicate – then such foods are permissible to consume? Can you please provide any references or possibly translate any works of the scholars who have handled this specific issue (for further reading and clarification)?
JazaakAllahu khayra!
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh.
Examples of everyday foods that have a tiny amount of non-intoxicating alcohol already in them: apples, oranges, dates, grapes, bread, etc.
Actually these foods contain a particular substance-i think its called sucrose- which is then fermented and undergoes reaction with certain enzymes to make ethanol(alcohol). this is important because i believe I heard about something being haraam in small quantities if it intoxicates in large quantities. please can you clarify this?
Something that intoxicates in large quantities is considered a khamr even in small quantities – as it is. Not that if you single out one tiny ingredient and separate it from the others. With this understanding, one could possibly single out the tiny amounts of natural alcohol found in common fruits and breads and claim they are all impermissible as a result. And Allaah knows best.
Jazakallahu khayr brother! I have been struggling to understand this issued. Every time I would think about consuming something mixed with minuscule amounts of alcohol somewhere in it’s ingredients, I would get anxious because of the above mentioned hadith. Alhamdulillah! May Allah bless you! This understanding has made things much easier, and calmed my heart.
Asalamu alayk!
Barakallhu feek ustaadh for this beneficial article.
I will like to know that are we allowed to consume iron supplements which are preserved in alcohol and we dont know the type of alcohol it contains and also the soure of iron is cows blood?
Also what about those nutritional supplements which are based on nonveg soure and we dont know exactly what it is?
MashaAllah. BarakAllah Feeki for this article. Very benificial. I was wondering the same thing about the liquid iron preserved in alcohol though. I ordered some online once and I actually got a little light headed My 1st dose. So I thought surely this must be harram. But clarification would be best. InshaAllah.
Bismullahirrahmaanirraheem
Assalammualaikum
May I ask if perfumes that contain denatured alcohol as you mentioned are considered najaasa or a form of impurity?
Baarakumullahu feekum
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Alcohols that are not intoxicants are not khamr. So if you believed khamr to be najas (which is debatable), only the alcohol that intoxicates would be najas. And Allaah knows best.
What is the ruling on the person who consumed a product containing alcohol without having knowledge that the item had alcohol in it. The product that was consumed was Apple Cider Vinegar.
Is apple cider vinegar haraam?? And is balsamic vinegar haraam?
Vinegar is permissible. The Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) drank it and spoke well of it. Vinegar that used to be alcohol has gone through a change in composition (istihaalah). In fact, the case of vinegar is widely used as a classic example of the concept of istihaalah in the books of the scholars of Fiqh.
Note that it is not allowed to be involved in its production, since that requires the purchase, storing, and usage of intoxicants. However, once there is a substance called vinegar, an acidic liquid used as a drink or as an ingredient, something that does not intoxicate, no matter how much of it you consume, then that substance is halaal. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamu alaykum
If the perfume contains the intoxicating level of Alcohol then wouldn’t this make it impermissible to buy regardless of whether or no it’s najis?
Assalaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullaah
Abit confused about the third category – does it include things like spirit vinegar and vanilla extract that may have alcohol deliberately added to them or is it only for foods that naturally have abit of alcohol in them like fruits?
asslamoalaikum
jazakkallahukhayran for this clarification.br,moosa
I still am not clear on nutmeg though, when it is on the food ,it is possible to taste it, so is the nutmeg in it’s original form permissible
Akhee you mentioned in point 2 that it is not permissible to use alcohol that intoxicates I.e. khamr, but fatwa mentioned in link 2 says that it is not impermissible to use that type of alcohol tough it is better not to use but we cannot say that it is forbidden, a bit confusing. so can you please clarify.
The article from “link2” says, “But as for use for other things, such as cleansing bacteria and the like, it is a matter of opinion, and whoever avoids it is more prudent…” This seems to be a reference to alcohol, not khamr, since it is impermissible to purchase, transport, or own khamr, but the substance called alcohol has different situations, as detailed in the article above. And Allaah knows best.
Jazakallahu khayran, so if our hand sanitizer contains ethanol which is a khamr is it permissible for us to use it as such we are not directly buying khamr but we are buying a product that contains khamr?
A substance is judged as an intoxicant or not based on what it is now, not what the individual parts would be if they were isolated. And Allaah knows best.
Assalammualaikum
Recently I bought a few hand sanitizers. I just noticed that it has an active ingredient Ethanol of 68% v/v. It also contains isopropyl alcohol. Is it permissible to use these hand sanitizers?
is fruit wine halal or haram for muslim to drink
Fruit wine (like wine made from grapes) is an alcoholic beverage. It is an intoxicant, and it is haraam by clear textual evidence.
Baarak Allaahou feek ag Moosaa.
So to be clear. We are not to look at products, foods, medicines etc.. as being khamr when they contain alcohol (to be specific ethanol, found in beer/wine). But Khamr is that what intoxicates when taken in large quantities. So when the amount of alcohol (ethanol) in an item is so small, that wether you use a large amount of it, it doesn’t intoxicate you, than that is permissible to use, because it is said that khamr is that what intoxicates you when taken in large quantities. And the same goes for substances that intoxicate such as nutmeg etc. Am I correct?
As-salaamou’alaikoum
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Yes. When someone hands you a drink or a piece of food, you are not responsible for judging its individual ingredients before they were combined as intoxicants or non-intoxicants, rather you are required to judge it as an intoxicant or not by what it is right now. With a reminder that Muslims are not allowed to purchase or own intoxicants with the intent of making non-intoxicating foods and drinks. This scenario is about when others have already made a food or drink, and Allaah knows best.
Assalam3aleykum
Brother
Please can you elaborate on nutmeg, whether it is permissable to consume if mixed with other spices?
May Allaah reward you, aameen.
wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. There is no need to elaborate on individual intoxicants. Nutmeg, like any other intoxicant, is impermissible to buy, sell, transport, store, etc. If it -or any other intoxicant- is found as a tiny amount in a much larger food or drink that has already been prepared, and the food or drink simply does not intoxicate, no matter how much is consumed, then we cannot categorize such a food or drink as an intoxicant. And Allaah knows best.
Review: Nutmeg is a Khamr (Intoxicant)
AssalamuAlaikum Akhi,
Is it permissible for you to buy food which contains Alcohol, or is it only permissible to eat the food which contains alcohol only when someone offers it to you?
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Again, the substance is judged by what it is now, not what it would be if all its ingredients were separated individually. It is either an intoxicant or not. If it is, then it is not permissible to receive it as a gift, nor is it permissible to purchase.
I have to give my toddler iron supplement in liquid form.Its ingredients contain alcohol 0.2% v/v. Is it halal to give it to my kid?
If a large amount of that syrup intoxicates, then a small amount is haraam. Allah knows best.
Assalaamu Alaykum,brother
I bought Kalamata olives (and lots of other prepared food) from the supermarket , on the ingredients list it has :olives, water,red wine vinegar.salt. Can you clarify if red or white wine vinegar is halal to consume.I don’t know how the vinegar was made?
Asalaamu alaykum. Could you give a little more response to the alcohol issue when it is found in baking goods, i.e, Vanilla essence, flavourings and confectionery? It is found in chocolates sometimes (not speaking of those with an alcoholic centre).
What about using perfumes that contain alcohol as a suspension and therefore surface medicines and sterilising fluids. I read a fatwa by Sheikh Uthaymin that he wouldn’t but it is okay so can we sell ethanol on things like petrol or fuel or suspensions and some chemicals come dissolved in alcohol which also intoxicated. Because petrol contains ethanol so can we sell crude oil?
Assalamu alaykum,
I second this comment. You see nowadays ethanol is in many things. When treating crude oil often some ethanol is produced. Also in order to do certain chemical reactions notably with things like oil and alkanes ethanol is used as a solvent so what I’d the ruling on this?
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Is the pastas found in supermarkets containing spiriit vinegar permissible? I assume they do not intoxicate if you consume a large quantity of pasta.
جزاك اللهُ خيرًا
As salaam alayk
May Allah protect and preserve u my brother
Is water kefir brewed in dates raisin figs etc..with sugar soln fr upto 3 days permissible or not? Upto how mamy days would you say it is permissible to drink bfr it fogs the mind..
BaarakAllah feek
Assalaamu ‘alaykum warahmatullaahi wabaraakaatuhu,
HayaakumAllaah ya Ustaadh. Can you give us information regarding vanilla extract (it is an oft-used ingredient in baking to give vanilla flavouring – functions like salt in cooking)?
It is made by leaving the vanilla beans in alcohol and there have been instances of intoxication through consuming vanilla extract directly.
May Allaah bless you and your family.
BaarakAllaahu feekum
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. If the vanilla extract can intoxicate someone, then it is an intoxicant (khamr). If it is true that “there have been instances of intoxication through consuming vanilla extract directly” then this means it is classified as a khamr. To be thorough, we would need to know if all products called “vanilla extract” are all the same or not. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamualaikum,
Is homeopathic medicine allowed, uptill now we have been taking homeopathic medicine and no matter how much you take it doesn’t have any bad effect on you, please let us know about this too.
BarakAllahufeek.
Assalamu alaykum
If a perfume contains the intoxicating level of Alcohol, then wouldn’t this make it impermissible to buy regardless of whether or not it’s najis?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaam. If the perfume intoxicates (when sniffed or drunk in large quantities), it is classified as an intoxicant. If not, its not. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakathuh usthad, ok if a perfume does not intoxicate then its not khamr. But what about the najasah issue. How can we use a perfume which contains alcohol then do salah wearing the dress? Also please tell regarding selling such perfumes. ( i am in the business). Jazaak Allaahu khairan
Assalamualaykum,
BaarakAllahu feekum, does this ruling have any relation to the ruling on the ingredient “Carmine” found in foods/cosmetics/dyes (it is a dye derived from beetles, after they are boiled and dried, as well as mixed with other ingredients to form a red color)? This dye is used widely in the west in foods and cosmetics. It is used in very small amounts; however it is hard to avoid as it is so widely used and it is hard to even find out sometimes if things contain it. Please provide some insight on the issue as to whether it is permissible to consume or use on the body externally (cosmetics, creams etc). JazaakumAllahu khair.
salam alaykum akhi moosa jazakallahu Khayr for your effort! regarding fruit that is clear, but if for example have bought a pastry that contains rum, or for example crepes that contains rum or wine so much that it sometimes feels the taste for example rum pastry in what is the ruling?
Jazaakallahu khayran .
because in the article above it says ”
3) Does not intoxicate qui That no matter how much of it is Consumed, Then It is not a khamr, Rather it is halaal, like the small water equivalent of alcohol found in Many foods and drinks That we eat every day. This kind is permissible to buy, sell, transport, use, and consume.
“While at the end of the fatwa of Shaykh utheymine he said :
” And if it is Khamr, then its useas a beverage or food has, by being white mixed with some food to give flavor to it is Clearly forbidden by the Book and agreement of the Scholars. Purpose as for use for –other things, Such As cleansing bacteria and the like, it is a matter of opinion, and Whoever Avoids it is more cautious … but I can not Say That it is forbidden, though I do not use it myself, except When Necessary, Such As Sterilising wounds and Such likes. ”
Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
Review the source of the above quote attriuted to Sh. Ibn ‘Uthaymeen please. The shaykh has mentioned the case of intoxicants put into food or drinks and the intoxicant is entirely mixed into the product vs. When the intoxicant remains, like a slightly cooked wine sauce where the smell and presence of alcohol is still detectable. The latter being impermissible.
In addition, a separate issue is the process of diluting the original intoxicant, which is not permissible, because it includes purchasing, storing, owning, and interacting with the intoxicant in its original form. Do not assume that when the scholars say when an intoxicant is mixed into a food item (completely) and the resulting food item is not intoxicating then it is halaal, do ant assume that this includes the permissibility of owning the original intoxicant to use it in preparing food. That is when others have done this and the product reaches us. And Allaah knows best.
But even if the final product doesn’t intoxicate, if we know that the product was produced by mixing alcohol into it, and we, the public keep buying it, aren’t we aiding in sin – by supporting the company which buys / stores / mixes alcohol into their products?
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. If it is rum which is not mixed in, like a sauce or topping which is distinct, uncooked and unchanged, smelling of the original substance, then this is to be avoided, as it is feared that eating this product may intoxicate you. And Allaah knows best.
Is apple cider vinegar haram or halal?
Halaal. Vinegar is halaal, it is not an intoxicant. A strange case of an improperly produced amount of it does not change the ruling on vinegar, just like old juice mistakenly fermented (and thus intoxicating) being sold as juice does not make juice an intoxicant as a general rule, and Allaah knows best.
What if the vinegar had been brought as alcohol and then fermented by the producer? Is it still halal to consume?
Yes, it is halaal, as substances are judged by what they are now, not what they used to be. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamualaikum
This is what I found from the bragg Apple cider vinegar website and it states :
Our vinegar may contain very minute traces of alcohol, so minute that it is almost undetectable! Vinegar is the next step of alcohol – to make vinegar, all alcohol must continue to completely ferment! In other words, there is no appreciable amount of alcohol in vinegar, it is not an alcoholic product.
Is this halaal?
JazakaaAllahu khairan
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Minute traces of alcohol do not make something a khamr (intoxicant). There are minute traces of alcohol in common everyday foods and drinks. However, if there was some product called “vinegar” which did not convert to vinegar completely, and still causes intoxication, then it is classified as a khamr (intoxicant), despite its name. The ruling is based on its reality, just like a bottle of “100% juice” which was left out to ferment and become an intoxicant: The ruling on it is based on what it is, not what is written on its label. And Allaah knows best.
Can I know of carmine as an ingredient is halal? It is found in various cosmetic and food products
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu… how about fermenting vegetables for example; beets, so to make this we have to ferment the beets for sometime or even a long time we just add water and salt are we allowed to consume drinks like this?
Jazakallaahu khayran
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. If the resulting fermented beet juice or beets actually intoxicates, then we understand it to be a khamr, and it is haraam.
Salam
I had a question on the vanilla extract
If the original vanilla extract is extracted with alcohol and khamr but then baked such as in a cake and evaporated the alcohol content is it still allowed to consume Insha’Allah?
If I was given a piece of cake ( store bought ) is it upon me to check if it has vanilla or consume and not to ask or look at the ingredients knowing its possiable there is vanilla extract in the cake?
Jazakum Allah khair
If the cake intoxicates in large quantities, then a small amount of that cake is forbidden. You may not use any khamr to cook it, as it is not allowed to purchase or possess khamr. However, if someone else cooked with it, and they cooked the intoxicating properties out of the item, then the resulting food item is not classified as a khamr, so long as large amounts of that food item do not intoxicate. And Allaah knows best.
asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatuLlaahi wa barakaatuh,
I read once that coffee can be haraam if you drink it to be awake… [Question abridged by admin]
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Coffee is not an intoxicant, and it is permissible. Knowledge of Islam is sacred, not based on what someone has read, but rather based on the Book and the Sunnah, as understood by the Salaf, and in matters like this we return to the people of knowledge. May Allaah bless you and keep you from harm.
Assalamu Alaykum Ustaadh
If the perfume contains the intoxicating level of Alcohol then wouldn’t this make it impermissible to buy regardless of whether or not it’s najis?
Baarakallahu Feek
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Yes, exactly. “The intoxicating level” = what intoxicates you (not sickens or kills you) when you drink it.
Assalaamu alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wabarakathuhu,
Can I understand from this that if any intoxicating substances like rum or other wines are added to cakes and then baked after which the alcohol has evaporated and even if you eat a hundred such cakes you will not become intoxicated then eating that cake or buying that cake from a shop is halal?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Yes, that is correct. And Allaah knows best. While you are not allowed to take part in the process of producing such a cake, since it involves the ownership and usage of khamr (during the process). Afterwards, the resulting product is simply not a khamr, just cake.
As salaamu alaykum
Ok so if food stuff already prepared is “bought” ingredients say alcohol of some type of spirit vinegar and so on, it is permissible?
Even though you can simply pick up another product as an alternative which does not contain any type of alcohol or even khamr in its original form
Isnt it Better to take the alternative, or simply ignore what the label says because it’s no longer khamr ???
Khamr is put into foods for various reasons of course mainly preserving /taste
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Whatever you buy, you judge it by what it is now, not by what it used to be, as it relates to it being a khamr (intoxicant) or not. And Allaah knows best.
As salam o allekum plz tell me if olives in water salt and vinegar it’s halal?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah, so long as that has not fermented and become an intoxicant, then those things are halaal.
Assalmou Alaykoum,
What can be said for those who follow ***** “Famous Islamic Cleric” who stated that drinking liquor without getting drunk is not sinful?
Im trying to make sense of this?
Jazzakallahu Khairan
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. That’s the old Hanafee position, well known. Be warned of those who follow and promote the mistakes of the scholars, mistakes known by their contradiction to evidences. When this error is taken as Deen, its falsehood is known by its results: Muslims will be drunk all the time, quite simply because the closer one gets to the line between being sober and drunk, the more difficult it is to judge matters. This understanding is in direct opposition to the hadeeth of our Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), ما أسكر كثيره فقليله حرام “Whatever intoxicates in large quantities is haraam in small quantities.” [Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, others, a hasan hadeeth] So the path is in front of us: The opinion of So-and-So… or the verdict of the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace)?! Let’s keep it simple. And Allaah knows best.
As salamu alaikum. I just recently purchased 100% beef jerky . While reading through the ingredients it states in paranthesis next to the ingredient soy sauce (water, soybeans , salt, alcohol). is this product permissible to consume??
Contrary to what most people believe, the entire alcohol content doesn’t always evaporate or boil away before the food is served. A study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Data Laboratory showed that it can take longer than two and a half hours for all the alcohol to be cooked out of food to which wine or some other alcoholic beverage has been added. The study showed that the amount of alcohol remaining depends in part on the cooking method. For example, after brandy has been “flamed” – poured on foods and then set alight – approximately 75 percent of the alcohol remains after the flames have died down.
The study also revealed that alcohol content diminishes with cooking time. After being added to food that then is baked or simmered for 15 minutes, 40 percent of the alcohol will be retained. After cooking for an hour, only about 25 percent will remain, but even after 2.5 hours of cooking, five percent of the alcohol will still be there. Of course, the amount of alcohol in an individual serving will be quite low.
This is by Dr Weil, MD
It isn’t safe to say that all alcohol has evaporated…Why not safeguard against such doubtful matters?
Allah knows best
Asalamualikum ,
IS BEER ALLOWED TO CONSUME?
No, beer is an intoxicating beverage.
Asawrwbdear brother MoussaHow can it be pure to wear alcohol on your clothes. When we have learned from our sheikh scholar Shaafi’i that alcohol is impure. So if there is alcohol on your self and your prayer place your salaat is void.
Alcohol=khamr
The article above has been written upon the grounds that khamr is not najas (impure). The scholars differ on this point. As for saying “Alcohol=khamr” then no, that is disproved in the article. Give it another read, and may Allaah give you success. [Also, remember that salaams are a form of thikr which are legislated to be done in a certain way. They are not to be abbreviated, as mentioned by our senior scholars.]
assalaamu ‘alaykum,
can you please shed some light on the permissibility of consuming ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’? (as it involves alcoholic fermentation)
baarakAllahu feek
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. It may have been alcoholic (intoxicating) in the past, but as vinegar it is not, and it is judged by what it in now, not what it used to be. And with Allaah alone is our success.
assalaamu ‘alaykum, brother can you please guide in regards to soy sauce? Is it allowed to consume it?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. If the concern is that it might be an intoxicant, then if there is a certain brand or type of it which does actually intoxicate when consumed (in any amount), then it would be an impermissible intoxicant, but in general, regular (non-alcoholic) soy sauce is a permissible condiment, and Allaah knows best.
Assalamu ‘alaykum
Please can you assist in below in shaa Allaah.
Homeopathic treatment/medicines: when asked, a homeo doctor about how their medicines/pills are made, informed, the medicines are prepared in a way that a small extract of the medicinal ingredient is mixed with alcohol in drops. The doctor says they add alcohol for much improved curability and longer preservation.
The medicines comes in drops, pills and powder formats.
Q1. Is it permitted to consume these medicines?
Q2. One of the external medicines prescribed had 90% ethanol in it, which ‘may be’ the ingredient for consumable medicines as well. Can we utilize this external medicines?
It has been noticed alot of Muslims are increasingly approaching homeopathy treatments as there is a hype that the treatment is very effective for common allergies including asthma.
Your kind response is requested.
BaarakAllaahu feek.
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. As in many other answers here, the same rule applies: If many of those pills or drops would intoxicate a person, then it is a khamr (intoxicant), and the slightest amount of it is impermissible. If not, then they are not khamr. We judge the drops, pills, or powders for what they are now and the effects they have now. And Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakaatuhu Brother Moosaa,
Can we consume white/red wine vinegar?
JazakAllahu khairan for the clarification!
As-salaamu ‘alaykum akhee al-habeeb Abul-Abbas,
Somebody commented regarding the closing sentence that it probably should have read “then you may consume it”, as opposed to ‘use’ it:
“So if the type of alcohol used in your medicine or food is type #3, then you may use it. If it is type #1 or #2, then NO.”
Your view please, jazakallaahukhayraa.
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Jazaak Allaahu khayran for your visit, dear respected brother. I have updated the wording, hoping to add clarity. May Allaah bless you for your input!
Assalamu alaykum ya akhil kareem.
I have been reading through your replies and this phrase keeps coming “It is judged by what it is now and not what it was” Please do you have evidence for this?
Jazakallahu khayran
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Review the discussions in the books of Usool al-Fiqh about istihaalah (transformations) and the examples mentioned therein, for example how vinegar is halaal, yet it used to be alcohol (haraam), etc. What is correct is that when you come across vinegar, then it is halaal, yet we are not allowed to make vinegar from intoxicating alcohol, since it is not allowed to own or interact with intoxicants in the first place. But if it reaches us, then we judge it by what it is now, not by what it used to be (khamr). And Allaah knows best.
Asalamo Alaikum Moosa.I have a few questions that I have not been able to get answers of and they are very important.Is fear of jinns shirk?I know only Allah has the power to benefit and harm but when I stand up to pray the waswas comes and I feel like someone will hit me from the back.Thats why I wanted people to sit with me most of the times.Also I do not have a beard because I fear taunts from people.Are the mistakes of mine shirk?Please reply.And If I wanted people to sit with me for fear of jinns am I actually commiting shirk by trusting them and not allah?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. There is a level of natural fear of real harms which is excused. Yet, this fear is not be baseless, irrational, or rival your fear of Allaah. It is not permissible to fear the people and thus disobey Allaah to please them (except if your life was threatened).
إِنَّما ذلِكُمُ الشَّيْطانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِياءَهُ فَلا تَخافُوهُمْ وَخافُونِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
“That is but the Shaytaan who scares his allies. Do not fear them, rather fear Me, if you are indeed believers.” [3:175]
أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ فَاللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَنْ تَخْشَوْهُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
“Do you fear them? Allaah has more right that you fear him, if you are indeed believers.” [9:13]
وَتَخْشَى النَّاسَ وَاللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَنْ تَخْشاهُ
“And you fear the people, yet Allaah is more deserving of your fear…” [33:37]
Yet, fearing the harms of being alone is a legitimate fear, and thus a person who tries not to be alone is behaving with good Islamic character, based on the hadeeth:
«لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي الوَحْدَةِ مَا أَعْلَمُ، مَا سَارَ رَاكِبٌ بِلَيْلٍ وَحْدَهُ»
“If the people knew what I know about solitude, no traveler would stay a single night by himself!” [Bukhaaree]
نهى عن الوحدة: أن يبيت الرجل وحده
He forbade that a man reside alone by himself. [Ahmad, authentic]
And Allaah knows best.
بارك الله فيك Moosaa
What steps can one take to eliminate this fear that exists in the heart for other than Allah?
Learning about Allaah, His Attributes, His Anger, His Punishment, the Hellfire, etc. May Allaah make that all real to us and grant us genuine fear in our hearts.
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Akhee,
Check out this lecture on fear. It goes over fear as an act of worship, as well as natural fear which is permissible, like fearing lions, fires, and drowning. There is no blame in having this fear. Check out the 5:22 mark in the audio:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/radio1mm/11-hope-and-fear-are-acts-of-worship
Assalamu alaykum,
How do we reconcile that “we judge on what it is now” with Umar’s (radi Allahu anhu) statement: “there is no blame on a Muslim if he buys vinegar from a dhimmi, as long as it has not been converted deliberately.”
Why this condition: “…as it has not been converted deliberately.”, do you know any explanation?
Still curious to know because I still am avoiding vinegar. I’m interpreting this statement to mean if you know the vinegar was made deliberately then it is blameworthy to buy it. If the vinegar was pure after being converted from wine then why would it be blameworthy to buy? I think this is where my confusion lies. I don’t know if you have an answer, but I would be very intrigued to have a response even if it’s “I don’t know.”
Quite simply, vinegar is halaal. Khamr is haraam. Yes, one used to be the other. Who cares. Apples are from seeds dropped into the ground with fertilizer (feces) until it grows into a tree, meaning those things (feces) are essentially found in it somewhere. What it used to be does not matter. We judge it by what it is now. The nature of the world we live in is change. If we judged things by what they used to be, many of the best of the believers would be considered polytheists, because of who they used to be. Take an easier, more practical approach to things, and simply judge things as they are now, and Allaah knows best.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Dear brother Moosaa may Allaah reward you; my question is: In which category does this type fit in and what’s its ruling? I use a cosmetic product for my face that contains alcohol, it is said that it is toxic at large doses but small doses are not harmful, it sometimes accidently enters my mouth. Please inform me concerning it’s ruling wa JazaakAllaahu khairan
اسلام عليكم Moosa ustaadh working in pharmacy can we sell liquids for medicines use that contain alcohol to patients and give gelatin capsules for medical reasons and therefore overall is being a pharmacist halal job as its what I studied and not easy maybe to change but insha’Allaah please respond as important thing to find out jazakhaaAllahu khair
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله
Selling, using, transporting, or facilitating intoxicants or pork by-products is impermissible, and Allah has not made any cure in things He has forbidden. Just remember to distinguish between the different categories of “alcohol” as explained in the original article. And Allaah knows best.
Ustaadh Moosa جزاک اللہ خیرا can I still do my pharmacy job in which we sell medicines with ethanol alcohol in the UK but at normal recommended doses no intoxication. It’s difficult to say how many bottles it would take to intoxicate if it did. But there is a necessity and it’s my field of work not easy to quickly find something else and avoid selling in UK pharmacys?
Asalamu Alaykum,
[Question abridged for clarity by admin] …My mother and I live with my father and brother who drink alcohol. Neither of them practice Islam. (i.e. they don’t pray, they do drugs, listen to music etc) They stumble home in the evenings and we feel unsafe. Neither of them are physically abusive, we think the harm might come from their companions. I’m afraid of my brother and his friends. I don’t really know what to do. I think that their behavior will bring harm to us.
Is it permissible to kick out my brother and or father?
If this were to happen, or we move out, we would be living without mahrams. My mother says that we should stay and make dua to Allah so he can protect us, and I will continue to do this, Insha Allah.
To summarize:
1. Is it permissible to kick out a family member who drinks alcohol?
2. As women, is it permissible to live without mahrams?
Any advice will help.
Jazak Allah Khair
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. May Allaah aid you and alleviate your burdens. Indeed khamr is the mother of all evils, meaning: It paves the way for all terrible behavior. I’d advise that you seek Allaah’s Aid and then seek help from some of His servants in getting out of an unsafe situation, if you are able to get to a better and safer situation. I don’t know your whole situation, so I am unable to advise any more specifically than this. Some people may be living in a place where this situation, as bad as it is, is better and safer than leaving it. I pray that Allaah protects you and guides you to safety. Physical safety is your right, so please take steps to secure yourselves and your families! And Allaah knows best.
Assalamualikum
My Dear Brother,
What about ice cream which have pig fat (E471) in India?
Is it permissible to have
Jazakallah khair
As salamu alaykum brother is red wine viniger permisible?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Yes, vinegar made from intoxicants (red wine or other alcoholic beverages) is permissible, as it has gone through a chemical change in its basic make-up (istihaalah). While we are not allowed to be part of the process of producing it, we are allowed to purchase it once it is available. The ruling on a thing is based on what it is now, not what it used to be. And Allah knows best.
So ustaad is it permissible to use the alcohol based perfumes and deodorants. barakallahu feek
Assalam aleikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu, now that there is Corona virus, can we use the alcohol based sanitizers?
Assalamu’Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.
Ustaad recently I got to know that since sanitizer contains alcohol (Ethanol) so therefore if we use it and offer Salah then our prayer will not be accepted. So does that mean we are not allowed to use hand sanitizer?
BarakAllaahu feek
As salaamu alaykum Ustaadh Moosaa, can we use alcohol wipes for use of disinfecting skin and cleaning products, during this coronavirus situation. Also can someone continue to work in Pharmacy in UK, out of necessity till something else work comes and if only source income, insha’Allaah, having to sell liquid medicines alcohol(not fully sure if large quantities intoxicate). If you can reply then JazakhaAllaahu khayran
What about alcoholic perfumes and cosmetics? Products that may contain some alcohol in them?
If people do not drink the perfume and get drunk, then the perfume is permissible, according to the most correct position, and Allah knows best.
Is this based on the opinion of Imaam Ibn ‘Uthaymeen?
It is based on the foundations established in the article above.
JazaakAllahu khayran Ustaadh.
Can you make this comment clearer
Did you mean that perfumes that intoxicates is allowed to be used as long as it’s not drunk or that perfumes that don’t intoxicate if you drink it is allowed?
Because Imaam Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said that perfumes that intoxicate are allowed to be used as long as it’s not drunk whereas Imam al albani said it’s not permissible to use perfumes that intoxicate whether small or large amounts
Based on the breakdown in the article above, if the product itself (not its individual parts) intoxicates in any amount consumed, then it is an intoxicant, and it is forbidden to buy, sell, store, transport, use, ingest, etc.
As-Salamu ‘alaikum
Is it correct to say that the person who makes vinegar out of khamr is sinful/blameworthy for making it but nevertheless, once it’s transformed/made into vinegar; then it’s permissible to consume and no longer khamr? Jazak Allah Khair
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. A person who purchased or accepted khamr as a gift, or inherited it, and then made it into vinegar, is in opposition to the direction of our Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace). Aboo Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him about some khamr that some orphans inherited, could that be kept and turned into vinegar. The Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) told him that it was not allowed, and that he is to pour it out. (Sunan Abee Daawood, Al-Albaanee called it: saheeh.)
Based on this, a number of the early imaams said that purchasing such vinegar is not permissible. Of course, this is when such a situation is known without seeking out the history of each bottle of vinegar one might buy (for those who over-investigate matters in ways that are not legislated!). And Allah knows best.
Jazak Allah Khair. I heard you say in your Islamic manners and Upright Muslim Character lecture that red wine vinegar is halal and that it was red wine before istihaalah; and that is why it is afterwards called red wine vinegar, because it came from red wine before the istihaalah. And nevertheless you said that after the istihaalah, that it wouldn’t intoxicate you even if you drunk a gallon of it. And so, your response to my previous question is causing me some confusion now as you said, “A number of the early imaams said that purchasing such vinegar is not permissible.” End quote. So what is correct in this regards, is it permissible to consume this type of vinegar as you mentioned in your lecture that the vinegar becomes halal after the istihaalah; because it no longers intoxicates? Or is it prohibited due to it having been produced unlawfully? Jazak Allah Khair.
Some scholars do not allow the purchase of vinegar made intentionally from khamr by a Muslim [based on the discussion in my previous reply], yet they allow it if it were made by a non-Muslim. Others do not allow any vinegar that was made from khamr intentionally by anyone. (Meaning: The only permissible vinegar in this opinion is that which was incidentally changed from alcohol.) Others allow it despite its source, judging it only by the substance it is now. It is an issue of differing among the scholars.
“A number of the early imaams said that purchasing such vinegar is not permissible.” NOTE: This is not because it is khamr, but because it is the result of an act of disobedience (a Muslim not pouring out the khamr, which was obligatory from the hadeeth cited). And Allah knows best.
Jazak Allah Khair. In regards to the position you mentioned where the scholars hold that the vinegar is permissible after istihaalah even though it came from wine, if you could provide an evidence which establishes that, that it is permissible after istihaalah, that be amazing. Jazak Allah Khair.
Vinegar is by definition: “A sour-tasting liquid containing acetic acid, obtained by fermenting dilute alcoholic liquids, typically wine, cider, or beer, and used as a condiment or for pickling.”
Vinegar only comes from khamr, whether people are involved in the istihaalah process or not. The proof for the permissibility of vinegar (a substance that, by definition, is derived from alcoholic liquids) is the Book, the Sunnah, and consensus. As for the Quran, then Allah says:
يا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلالاً طَيِّباً
“O you who believe! Eat from all things on earth, [it is all] halaal (permissible) and tayyib (wholesome).” (2:168)
This is the base ruling of all worldly things. They are all halaal by default until a text restricts them. The texts that forbid khamr do not apply to vinegar, because vinegar simply does not intoxicate, so it does not fit the description of a khamr.
And from the Sunnah is the hadeeth of Jaabir and that of ‘Aa’ishah, both in Saheeh Muslim:
نِعْمَ الْأُدُمُ الْخَلُّ
“What a good udum (dip, for bread) is vinegar.”
Jaabir said: “I’ve always loved vinegar since I heard that.”
And consensus is established over the permissibility of vinegar, with some differing to be noted regarding who produced it, as mentioned previously.
And Allah knows best.
Jazak Allah Khair, what you said is clear to me. Again, however, my question is in regards to it being unlawfully made and as you said, a group of the imaams prohibited it not because it is khamr; but because it was made by an act of disobedience. So is there an evidence which establishes that even though it was made by an act of disobedience, it is permissible to use afterwards; for example, I had read in a packet, that was translated by you, taken from a dars given by Sheikh Bazmool that the Prophet ﷺ forbade making vinegar out of wine, but he said “that if you should come across vinegar that has been made from wine, then it is halal.” However, the source of this speech from the Prophet ﷺ was not provided. Do you know any basis for that statement of the Prophet ﷺ, (That if you should come across vinegar that has been made from wine, then it is halal. If so, what is it’s source and authenticity? As for the first part of the Hadith, then it is well-known and famous, but as for the last part (that if you should come across vinegar that has been made from wine, then it is halal); then if you could provide its source and authenticity, as that’s a critical additional wording; and/or other evidences that carry the same meaning that clarify even though it was produced by disobedience it is halal afterwards. Jazak Allah Khair, I’m just seeking the truth. May Allah bless you and your students.
“If you should come across vinegar that has been made from wine, then it is halal,” I have no idea about this narration, sorry.
Jazak Allah Khair, my only concern is in regards to it being produced by way of disobedience; as how could we consume something that’s been produced by way of disobedience, you said a group of the early imaams held it impermissible due to this very reason. So if there is a response/solution to that position that you’re familiar with I’d love to know it so that I and others can benefit from it. Barak Allah Feek.
The stance of it being halaal anyway is based on judging the thing by what it is, not by what it was or the process used to bring it to where it is now. It also has the benefit of preserving what seems to be a perfectly halaal item, while the other scholars require the vinegar to be poured out (despite it being halaal and beneficial in and of itself).
But this is really not an important point, in my opinion. We buy vinegar from stores today, not from individuals who make it personally. We do not need to ask if a Muslim was involved in its preparation or not, and there really would be no way of knowing anyway. So solving this point of differing (or understanding it precisely) really does not serve much of any practical benefit in our lives. And Allah knows best.
Asalaam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh,
Hafidhakallah ya shaikhuna, wa baarak Allaahu feekum. Afwaan.
Perhaps the reference, our brother is remembering is from this article – found on SalafiTalk.
>> (Taken entirely from a dars given by Sh. Muhammad Bazmool, translated by Moosa Richardson and a fatwa given by Sh. al-Albaani)
…
“ Another proof from the Sunnah: The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbade making vinegar out of wine, but he said that if you should come across vinegar that has been made from wine then it is halaal.”
<<
[Link: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=10&Topic=3488 ]
Jazaak Allahu khayran. Please note that the source of this compilation/re-writing is unnamed, and the disclaimer was already made there on that page: “…The above seems to have been re-written, with additions made, based loosely on the original lecture series…”
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Dear Ustaad,I have read mostly all the articles on the website concerning Alcohol, however am still confused. I purchased a Korean chilli paste ,which contains amongst other ingredients “ethyl alcohol ” I don’t know what percentage or if its a “khamr”or not , I am therfore not entirely sure if this falls in to the #3 or #2 intoxicans.I tried to find the answer,however I am not sure .I did read on line that soy beans are fermented, in certain methods of production ,so the alcohol may be a by product.However in some pastes the alcohol is added to preserve the paste and prevent fermentation.
جزاك الله خيرا. For your time and help
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
Like in every other specific item asked about in these comments, it would only be classified as a khamr if the product itself [not its individual ingredients] intoxicates you when you consume it.
Assalamau Alaikum.
I live in Canada. If I buy a mayo which says vinegar in the ingredients or I buy feta cheese stuffed olives which says white wine vinegar do I need to investigate whether it was made in a Jewish or Christian country? or the process whether it is halal or not? or is it better to avoid eating anything with vinegar or cheese unless it says halal or kosher? Or should I avoid anything with vinegar unless it says halal? I’m a bit confused whether I can eat mayo, olives, mustard with vinegar. Like does it have to be kosher, or from Jewish or Christian country, or only eat halal, or what if it doesn’t state any of the above? Ie. Do I have to investigate or verify if it has halal kosher or country written on it?
Jazāk Allāhu Khayran
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. To keep things simple: Mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, olives, and cheese are all permissible food items, do not be confused. Avoid going overboard and over-investigating simple things, as the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:
إياكم والغلو فإنما أهلك من كان قبلكم الغلو
“Be warned against ghuluww (religious excessiveness), since that which destroyed the people who came before you was ghuluww!”
Collected by Ahmad (1/215), an-Nasaa’ee, Ibn Maajah, and others. Al-Haakim (1/466) graded it saheeh (authentic) according to the conditions of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim. See: Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (#1283).
Asalamu alaykum warhamutulahi wabarakatu brother Moosa,
Please can you elaborate more on kombucha and kefir. What is the ruling on consuming and making these? Information and research is fairly new on these two products and alcohol content and It’s confusing as what rule they fall under. I was hoping maybe you would know more about them specifically.
JazakAllah khair
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. Are there any claims that these drinks intoxicate anyone in any amount they can be consumed?
Since alcohol denat is permissible to use in cosmetics and perfume etc that includes hand creams and so… my question is if you use a cream with alcohol denat or perfume with it in and it’s on your hand and then you eat food or drink from a bottle or get your hands wet in any way and eat/drink does that mean you’ve consumed alcohol and are therefore subjected to the punishment of 40 days of prayer not being accepted.
Whatever is not classified as an intoxicant does not have any of the harmful consequences of intoxication, wal-hamdu lillaah.
Asalamu alaykum warhamutulahi wabarakatu
Can you please clarify whether the fermentation of beet radish carrot etc.. at home is permissable. For example a probiotic drink called beet kvass made by fermenting beets has an alcoholic content of 0.5-1% according to wikipedia, and it would take an excessive amount to be consumed for one to possibly get drunk due to the alcohol content.
Probiotics present in these fermented products are beneficial for gut bacteria, and its not available to buy in the area I live in, so no option but to make it on my own as I suffer from stomach problems.
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. Slightly fermented drinks are permissible, so long as they do not intoxicate (in large quantities).
Questions on fermenting.. I think not all fermented foods contain alcohol (according to chaggpt)
Like I asked chatgpt and apparently according to it ALL yogurts are fermented. Is this true? Do the cultures cause it to be fermented? But yogurts are consumed by us Muslims, so its okay right?
Likewise, many cheeses are considered fermented but those cheeses i think are sold in Muslims countries like Saudi.
Most important part (please read): how about fermented meat? I think this is the procedure in a nutshell for a salami, You mix ground beef with spices. Then stuff it into beef intestine (making sausage). Then smoke it, then you hang it in a place with high humidity i think around 80%, for maybe around 60 days, or until meat loses about 40% of its weight. After that the meat has dried out (and fermented i think).
They consider this fermented I think because the sugar in them is turned into lactic acid.. however idk for sure if there is alcohol produced during the fermentation, even if, I feel like it might be a very tiny amount but idk for sure.
Is meats like this permissible to eat (beef salami, which has been dried for 60 days in a 80% humidity chamber)?
In Canada they sell (smokey flavored) beef salami where I think it shows on the packet that its halal certified. Can I buy and eat this? Likewise fermented sujuk? I think you can also buy fermented sujuk in Madinah and muslim countries.
Can I make (fermented) beef salami and sujuk and other dried fermented sausages at home?
More info:
Chatgpt said: Fermented meats typically do not contain alcohol as a byproduct of the fermentation process. Here are some examples of fermented meats that are not associated with alcohol production:
1. Fermented Sausages: Various types of sausages, such as salami, pepperoni, and chorizo, undergo fermentation using lactic acid bacteria. These bacteria convert sugars into lactic acid, which helps preserve the meat and gives it a tangy flavor without producing alcohol.
But I asked if chorizo has 0 alcohol. It replied: You are correct to question that assumption. While chorizo and similar fermented sausages do not typically contain significant levels of alcohol, small traces may be present due to the fermentation process. However, the amount is generally minimal and not a significant concern for those avoiding alcohol consumption. It’s important to note that the primary purpose of fermenting meats like chorizo is to enhance flavor and extend shelf life rather than to produce alcohol.
However chatgpt can be very very wrong even when it comes to worldly knowledge (makes lots of mistakes and contradictions)
So my question is, is it okay to eat halal beef (with halal certification) salamis and make them at home and other fermented meats? Please give firm answer.
BarakAllahu feek.
“Fermented” does not necessarily mean intoxicating. Let’s keep it simple: Does the food/drink product intoxicate a person when they consume it? If so, no matter what shape or form it is in, it is khamr (a forbidden intoxicant). If it does not intoxicate when consumed, it is NOT khamr. It is just that simple. Sometimes we complicate the matter by over-analyzing ingredients and processes. And Allah knows best.
Thank you very much for the answer ustadh.
So to be 100%, its ok do make, buy and eat fermented sausages (dried sausages) at home correct?
Like turkish fermented (dried) sujuk or beef fermented (dried) salami?
Thank you,
JazakAllahu Khayran.
Yes, so long as there is no purchase and/or usage of intoxicating materials in the process of producing such foods. Meaning: the fermentation process does not require the use of intoxicants, nor does it produce any intoxicating food item.
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh Ustaadh,
Would mouthwash be considered to be khamr? Ive read about people trying to use it as a substitute for alcohol but I’ve also read that consuming it can make you very sick. So I’m a bit confused.
Barakallaahu feek wa jazakallahu khayr
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. Like all things consumed, if the mouthwash actually intoxicates a person when consumed in any amount, then the least amount of it is categorized as an intoxicant (khamr), not permissible to buy, sell, trade, store, transport, etc. If it makes a person sick, then it is poison, which is permissible to buy, sell, transport, store, etc. and use for beneficial purposes and not for harm. And Allah knows best.