In the Name of Allaah, the Most Compassionate, the All- Merciful…
Nutmeg ( جوزة الطيب ) is widely known to have intoxicating properties.
…Nutmeg’s intoxicating properties have long been known in Europe… it has been a substitute for other substances that for one reason or another were unavailable or unaffordable. Thus prisoners, soldiers, seamen and struggling musicians were among its users… In 1946, before his conversion to Islam, Malcolm X used nutmeg whilst in jail when his supplies of marijuana ran out. In his autobiography he wrote: ‘I first got high in Charlestown [prison] on nutmeg. My cellmate was among at least a hundred nutmeg men who, for money or cigarettes, bought from kitchen worker inmates penny matchboxes full of stolen nutmeg. I grabbed a box as though it were a pound of heavy drugs. Stirred into a glass of cold water, a penny matchbox full of nutmeg had the kick of three or four reefers.’ When the authorities became aware of such uses of nutmeg it was removed from many prison kitchens.
Source: http://www.moodfoods.com/nutmeg/index.html (Accessed Dec. 25, 2008)
Ahmad ibn Hajr al-Haytamee (d.974), the soofee ash’aree, however an authority on the Fiqh (legal rulings) of ash-Shaafi’ee according to his later followers, seems to have the most detailed information on the topic. Thus, his words and research on the matter are important, and our scholars have quoted them.
He (may Allaah forgive him and have Mercy on him) mentioned that nutmeg is haraam (impermissible) according to the four math-habs, due to its intoxicating nature. He mentioned how the scholars have used nutmeg as a yardstick by which to judge other substances, like qaat, which leads one to understand that it was understood clearly to be an ideal example of an intoxicant. He further considered its use to be from the major sins, as it is “the use of an intoxicant”. All of this under “Major Sin #170” of his book “Az-Zawaajir” (2/417-422 of the Nazzaar Mustafaa Baaz printing)
His research was quoted by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem (may Allaah have Mercy on him), and the Permanent Committee further quoted Shaykh Muhammad (quoting al-Haytamee) in their Fatwaa Compilation (22/162-168), signed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (president), Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq ‘Afeefee (vice-president), and others, and dated 4/11/1376.
For the last 16 years I have not seen nutmeg (as an individual spice) for sale in Saudi Arabia, and I used to look for it in the spice section (before knowing its ruling). People have mentioned that it is not allowed in the country, except as a minor ingredient in another food product.
Our brother, Dr. Amjad Rafiq (may Allaah preserve him), has compiled some useful information from recent medical findings about the negative effects of nutmeg, including poisoning, hallucinations, and even acute psychosis. [found here]
Like any other intoxicant, nutmeg 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. When determining whether something is an intoxicant or not, we judge the food or drink based on what it is now, not by its individual ingredients.
It is also important to mention that Muslims are not allowed to use nutmeg as an ingredient when making a non-intoxicating foods or beverages, since they are not allowed to purchase or own intoxicants. However, if nutmeg in small quantities is found in something which does not intoxicate, there is no harm is purchasing and/or consuming it.
And Allaah knows best.
Compiled by: Moosaa Richardson
ST Archives (12-25-2008), Modified & updated 04-26-2014, updated 11-07-2015
Salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. Does this mean that eating foods that contain small amounts of alcohol such as chicken an pasta meals that contain wine in the sauce or desserts that have a chocolate liqueur or the likes added as ingredients are permissible to consume due to the fact that no matter how much is eaten it will never intoxicate and the food cannot be lable an intoxicant by it’s ingredient alone?
May Allah reward you!
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Brief answer: Yes. For more understanding, review discussions related to similar issues in the comments after this article: The Difference Between Khamr and Alcohol.
One more question, and Im not grasping at straws Im just trying to comprehend this: what is the difference between, say, nutmeg sprinkled on baklawa or a chocolate liqueur on baklawa? If they’re both khamr and we know alcohol is entirely forbidden why is nutmeg allowable to consume in small amounts?
JazakAllahu khayran akhi, I gain great benefit from this site.
It is not permissible to sprinkle nutmeg on anything because it is not permissible to own nutmeg in the first place. The same goes for putting some wine or any other intoxicant into a dish. And Allaah knows best.
Na’am, I understand about owning it and using it. I do not own it or use it. My concern is when eating restaurant or store bought food. If it says ‘nutmeg’ in the ingredients should it be avoided entirely and should I ask if there is nutmeg in certaim items that are known to have nutmeg in them to keep from consuming it or do I consider it permissible to eat the food if the packaging says it contains nutmeg because it wont intoxicate. Alot of items have nutmeg so I just wanted to know to safeguard myself and in the process gain closeness to Allah through asking those with knowledge. Thank you for your patience on my question.
Wa ‘alaykumus-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. If the nutmeg is a minor ingredient which does not make the product as a whole an intoxicant, then it is no problem. From what I understand nutmeg used as a spice is usually in very tiny amounts. Again, to be absolutely clear: This is only for when the food product is already prepared. And Allaah knows best.
A common misconception concerns chocolate liquor, or cocoa liquor. Chocolate liquor and cocoa liquor are nothing but finely ground cocoa bean. It’s a thick, flowing substance and the first step in the production of chocolate. It has no relationship to alcohol, nor is alcohol used in producing it. They are produced from chocolate, and may be fortified with cocoa fat. Chocolate liquor can be found in chocolate bars and in chocolate flavored desserts.
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah
Jazakallah khair brother for the article.
A small doubt which we few brothers wanted to ask – we in Kerala, India use curry powders like Meat Masala, Tandoori Masala, etc in which there is Nutmeg as an ingredient to prepare dishes and food like Biriyani. And these curry powders are available in the Saudi Market also, specifically in stores selling Kerala products. Is using these kind of products fall under what you wrote “It is also important to mention that Muslims are not allowed to use nutmeg as an ingredient when making a non-intoxicating foods or beverages, since they are not allowed to purchase or own intoxicants. However, if nutmeg in small quantities is found in something which does not intoxicate, there is no harm is purchasing and/or consuming it.” as the food is not yet prepared ?
Also it is used in herbal medicines wherein two tablespoon of honey is mixed with one drop of “الحبة السوداء ” and one drop of Nutmeg oil ? So is it permissible to use these kinds of medicines? [Message slightly abridged by admin]
As for the powdered nutmeg mixed with many other powdered spices, so long as this new powder is not easily separable, it should take the ruling of a new food item which is judged by whether or not it intoxicates as it is now, and Allaah knows best. And for nutmeg oil, then I do not know if the oil is an intoxicant or not.
In this case would “Allspice” be considered new food? It contains nutmeg with several other spices?
السلام عليكم
In your recent audio lecture, on Tony Blair and Yasir Qadi, you mentioned that the scholars have a fatwa regarding coffee, could you elaborate upon that ruling and what is the ruling of substances such as coffee and chocolate or cacao?
Jazāk Allahu Khairun
وعليك السلام ورحمة الله
I am not sure exactly what you are referring to. If you could quote the confusing phrases, I might be able to assist, in shaa’ Allaah.
At 51:51 you say, “As a side note, now his (Yasir Qadi’s) embarrassment is about the Muslim scholars and their fatwas on coffee.”
That was a reference to some claims of Yasir Qadhi, things he extracted from some books of History to make the scholars of Islam look foolish. The apparent goal was to mention incorrect fatwas to highlight how stupid Islamic scholars can be. May Allaah protect the Muslims from this kind of speech.
Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakat, may Allah reward, bless and preserve you.
Just on a related topic, what is the ruling on gelatin and the likes of of it where by the original ingredient is haram but the final product may not be. I saw a thread on salafitalk a while back although there wasnt a definitive conclusion on the matter.
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. That is a different discussion about whether a pork by-product has changed into a new substance or not. Shaykh Muhammad ‘Umar Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) concludes that gelatin specifically is no longer a pork by-product, but rather it is a completely new substance, having gone through the process of “istihaalah”, like when alcohol turns into vinegar, or when dung is absorbed into and becomes part of the earth. After istihaalah, the substance is not judged by what it used to be, but rather what it is now. The scholars mention this process “istihaalah” as one of the processes through which najas and haraam things become pure and halaal. And Allaah knows best.
A question related to topic,
Are we allowed to eat in restaurant where nonveg is served but we arent aware if that is halaal or not so can we eat veg in those restaurant but a doubt arises that if they used the same utensils in restaurants like KFC,MACD, Dominos, pizza hut etc.
And if the majority of community is Muslim si probably the halaal meat reaches there or if the have a certificate of halaal meat can we eat nonveg in such restaurants?
What is the permissibility of cultured foodstuff such as kombucha and kefir which may have a slight alcohol content, though they are considered non-alcoholic in the west?
I don’t know what those things are, but whatever intoxicates in large amounts is an intoxicant and it is not permissible to eat/drink in small amounts. And Allaah knows best.
As-Salaamu Alaykum,
I heard from a reliable radio program that some municipalities are considering regulating Kombucha as an alcoholic beverage because it is very difficult to monitor alcohol content. Sometimes, it is nearly as much as beer, and other times it is nearly non-alcoholic. In 2010, a prominent retailer in the US removed all Kombucha from its shelves across the country due to alcohol content in some products being tested at levels close to that of beer.
As Salaamu ‘alaykum. Kefir is basically a cultured milk type of product like yoghurt, but not quite as thick. As far as Kombucha goes, it might be wise for someone with knowledge to look into. It’s been getting very popular in health food circles in the last decade, and I know Muslims who drink / drank it, and also wonder about it’s permissability. Whole Foods supposedly pulled it all from their shelves due to the alcohol content in the brands they were selling. Now they sell certain brands again for anyone to purchase (even kids). My understanding is that it depends upon how each individual manufacturer makes it, but Allaah knows best…
Assalamu alaik
I have a nutmeg tree in my backyard.Do I have to cut it down?
JazaakAllahu Khair
Dr.Sajd.
As salam wa alaykum. Can we use strepsils? – in them there is 1.2 mg of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, per lozenge.
Wa’alaikum salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh.
http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=10&Topic=2591
Assalaamu Alaykum,
Is Mace, the outer covering of Nutmeg an Intoxicant?
I have seen this in markets here (Saudi); so is it halaal?
Jazaakallah Khair
As-Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu,
I was explaining the content of this article to someone close to me, and they replied saying something like, “this sounds like the way the Jews talk about similar matters.” I tried commenting further, but I lack sufficient knowledge and etiquette. Can you please advise me as to a good reply? It has been stuck in my mind for a few days now, and it rubs me the wrong way. At the same time, this person is very near and dear to me, and I don’t want to be harsh or disrespectful. Is there a kind and direct way of responding? Should I ignore it? Is the comment benign?
May Allah reward you for your efforts on the behalf of your Muslim brothers and sisters. Jazakallahu Khayran.
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. I can understand someone who does not comprehend the issue very well thinking this is another attempt to find some tiny little haram food item and declare half of one’s kitchen to be haraam. That happens in the West a lot. Be patient and remind them that the information in the article is coming from the scholars of Islam, not some over-zealous ingredient watchman in the West. And Allaah knows best.
Indeed all praise is for Allah the majestic. May Peace and Blessing be upon His final and our beloved Prophet and Messenger Muhammad
SWSA. [sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam]From the biological perspective: both the Nutmeg and Mace Spice are derived from the same fruit of the same tree. As a result they both share the same chemical compounds. The three major of those shared compounds are 1. mystricin, 2. elemicin, and 3. safrole. All three compounds belong to a group of chemicals called the “aromatic ethers” and all possess “Dissociative” properties. It is those Dissociative properties that alter the Brains functions and perceptions leading to but not limited to : sensory deprivation, amnesia, dissociation, hallucinations, trances, analgesia, anesthesia, ataxia, cognitive impairment and memory impairment.
Indeed what the Scholars of Islam has provided us with of proofs and explanation are more than sufficient and we ask Allah to Bless and protect them and us.
We ask Allah for knowledge that is of benefit, good provisions, and actions that will be accepted.
jazaak Allaahu khayran
Assalamu alaikum. Thank you for writing this article. I think very few Muslims are aware of the prohibition on nutmeg. However, the availability or otherwise of any substance in Saudi Arabia is hardly an argument which strengthens the Islamic evidences… [response abridged by admin]
Wa alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Its just an anecdote and an answer to a Saudi mystery for some (Why can’t I find it in the spice section?), not an argument to strengthen evidences.
Assalaamu Alaykum,
May Allah reward you brother.
Is not very clear to me whether we can or can not consume products like chocolates or ice cream,or other sweets, that have vanilla extract as a flavouring?
wa ‘alaykis-salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. If the food item contains a pork product, any amount, then it is haraam. If it contains “alcohol” or other ingredients which may be intoxicants in and of themselves, then the product is judged by what it is now. If the chocolate intoxicates you when you eat a lot of it, then a little of it is haraam. If it does not intoxicate you, then it is not considered a khamr (intoxicant). And Allaah knows best.
salaam alaykum,
I just read this article but I have some food that contains nutmeg in my freezer.
can I still eat it or must I throw it away?
djazaak Allaahu khayran
wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. If the food item containing nutmeg (or any other intoxicant) intoxicates you when consumed in large quantities, then a small amount of the item is haraam. If not, then it is not considered an intoxicant. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu: Can you inform us about the Mono & Diglycerides found in most bread and snack foods. From the limited research that we have done, we have found that in the U.S. most M&D’s come from pork due to the fact that it is cheaper for the manufacturer. Baraka Allahu Feek, May Allaah preserve you and increase you in knowledge, ameen.
ERm, in the U.K., they don’t use them from pork because they are more expensive! We have indeed been favoured! Unsure in the US. If it says Suitable for vegetarian then it should be fine regardless as they won’t be from pork. I am unsure about food standard laws in the U.s. Perhaps it would be a good idea to research them and research what suitable for vegetarian means according to US law?
SlaamunAlaikum
totally unrelated to the topic but I think a bit relevant.
u mentioned that nutmeg has been taken off the markets which is good but what about other things that contain haraam substances?
One particular item (a watch) bought by a friend of mine in a market in [a city]. it had a leather strap which was made of pig leather.
what happened in this case? the quality police being negligent? or not bothered by things of that ilk?
can this website highlight this kind of issues to the people concerned, please? [Abridged by admin]
Wa ‘alaykum salaam wa rahmatullaah. These issues when found in Muslim countries are dealt with by reporting them to the authorities, not by discussing them in public. Document the complaint, provide picture evidence of things when possible, witnesses and contact information when appropriate, and contact me privately about violations in Saudi Arabia. MR at bakkah net. I am not a person in any type of authority myself, however I know people who are, and I can translate the complaint and help it get handled by the right people, in shaa’ Allaah. And Allaah knows best.
Assalammualaikum wa rahmatulllahi wa barakatuh,
Knorr ready-to-cook products I have bought ,contain “wineextract” (powder, and mixed with other ingredients or spices). As far as I can understand from the above texts, I can safely say that These mixed-powder-stuff are permissible to eat, is it correct ?
JazakAllah khair, and wassalammualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
What is the ruling of usage,selling,purchasing of medicines(sedatives,Anti depressants,Pshycotic drugs) like
clonazepam,
diazepam (Valium)
estazolam (Prosom)
lorazepam (Ativan)
nitrazepam (Mogadon)
oxazepam (Serax)
chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
alprazolam (Xanax)etc…
As-Salàmu ‘alaykum Ustàdhah Moosaa. Hayàk Allaah. I wanted to know if Poppy seeds are halal to consume. It has been communicated that they may be related to opium or that if one consumes them they may test positive for opioids in their system. I have also read a suggestion that they can be used as sedatives. Are poppy seeds halal or are they similar to nutmeg? Bàrak Allaahu feek.
Assalamo Alaikom wa Rahmatullah. Ustaadh. Waffaqakallah. Please advise whether coffee (percolated) is permissible for children to drink? Not the expensive stuff, just instant coffee. By children I mean 18mths +. If not, why not?
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Coffee is halaal, and something halaal is generally allowed for people of any age. It may not be the best for a child’s health, and some cultures may view it as being inappropriate, yet halaal is halaal. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakathuh
Hafidhakumullaah.
You have taught us that a food item is not judged on the basis of individual ingredients but based on what it is right now.my doubt is, what about other items. I don’t use sprays because I see Alchohol as ingredient. And i wish to buy a hair cream but on the bottle i saw the name of some varient of alcohol as ingredient. My wife who is a chemistry graduate, said alchohol has millions of types. So i wish to know all of them are haraam? Also about using the hair cream halal? (name:parachute after shower ). Jazakallah khair.
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Judge the spray, the hair cream, and everything else as a khamr or not by what it is now, not by the individual ingredients. May Allaah give you success.
With all due respect ustadh, how can one judgea hair cream or deodorant or perfume etc as an intoxicant?
It is a serious question, I don’t intend to mock. Like in not going to taste it etc and I doubt the company will tell you
No matter what substance it is – solid, liquid, gas, whether swallowed, sniffed, applied to skin, or whatever – if a lot of it intoxicates you, then a small amount of it is haraam. If you are concerned about a specific item, then google “Does ____ get you high?” and someone on this planet, from those most focused on finding different kinds of methods of intoxication, will have a discussion about how it is used to intoxicate. And Allaah knows best.
So using say for example a gas intoxicant for chemical purposes is Haram? And uses a intoxicant which is solid for makeup is Haram?
Bismillah,
Assalamu alikum
Brother,
I would like to know about the ruling on using Baking Powder in food products.
Baking powder contains Potassium bitartrate, along with other ingredients. Potassium bitartrate is obtained as a side product/residue during wine making.
So, what will be the ruling on using Baking powder.
JazakAllah Khayr
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. If baking powder intoxicates when a large quantity is used, then it is an intoxicant. If not, then it is not an intoxicant. And Allaah knows best.
AslamaAlykom Ustaad.I have a question regarding food colouring.Is it permissable to eat the red food stuffs which are coloured using insects ? I think they use it m’ n’s and skittles.JazakAllah khair
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
أحسن الله إليك
I want to ask,
A few days ago my aunty had sent me a pack of spices(Arabic spices,somekinds like Bahaarat or Rash el hanouts),for make some foods like qabuli rice or maraq etc.My aunty made it by herself and I’d knew it if she used nutmeg in it,because in my country,nutmeg sold in the markets very common and usually used as a spice.A lot of muslims people didn’t know about the rules from the scholars about this spice.
My question is,what should I do with the spices that my aunty had given to me?Should I throw it into the garbage,or may I use it for cooking?One pack of Arabic spices contains : cumin,nutmeg,corriander seeds,pepper etc,all of them already grounded.
جزاك الله خيرا وبارك الله فيك
وعليك السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
Pour out the nutmeg (dispose of it), like how the Companions poured out their wine when they learned it was prohibited. May Allaah make us closer to them in beliefs and practice, and Allaah knows best.
I emailed a halal organisation here in South Africa (sanha – south african national halaal authority) regarding this article and this is what they had to say… [message truncated by admin]
Pardon us for not approving the quote. We are not interested in spreading confusion. We have presented the issue, from classical math-habs, all four of which prohibit nutmeg as an intoxicant, legendary scholars like Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem, and even the Permanent Committee for Research and Fatwaa. All of this has been supported by scientific findings and even realities understood in popular culture. It is not for a Muslim to leave this level of clarity in his Religion to follow “a halal organisation in South Africa”. Quite simply, we advise you to take knowledge from the scholars of Islam.
Asalaamualayikum warahmatullah wabarakatu I’m a bit confused about his nutmeg thing Ya Ustadh Moosa
Is the nutmeg itself an intoxicating or does it become an intoxicating after a process is done to it such as fermenting? [question abridged by admin]
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. You are asking about “ground nutmeg” most likely. The powder which is sold in the spice section of your supermarket called “nutmeg” is simply ground nutmeg. It is a khamr itself, whether swallowed as powder or mixed into a drink, according to the scholars. Any halaal thing which ferments into an intoxicant, like apple juice or grape juice, is also classified as a khamr after fermentation. But that’s not really related to the issue of nutmeg. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamu alaikum.
I’ve seen many of a times people who call themselves “Hanafi” but indulge in innovations or other misguided activities. Or Shafi’i or Maliki or Hanbali. What is the ruling on the one who ascribes to these math – habs?
Jazakallahu Khairan
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Ascribing to a school of Fiqh is not related to the level of a person’s guidance or piety. It just means that he has studied or ascribes to a particular math-hab. How accurate that ascription is, all things considered, can only be known by a case-by-case study. And Allaah knows best.
[Let’s try to keep the comments related to the content of the article please. -Admin]
Asalama aleykum, please advise on the use and administration of opioid based medications such as pethidine codeine morphine as well as those used routinely during operations for general anaesthesia ie bupivicaine, fentynl knowing full well that the purpose of these medications is to block the senses from feeling pain especially acting on those in the brain, spinal cord etc. Please may you ask the scholars, I apologise if this is not the correct platform but would like some clarification BarakAllahu feek.
Bismillah
Assalamu alaikum
A brother is doing areacanut business.Areacanut is natural food.But here it is always used and mixed with addictive substances like gutka , panmasaala etc which can even cause cancer.Is this buisiness halaal?
JazaakAllahu Khair
Assalamu 3laikum wa ra7matullahi wa barakatuh ya a5i. I have a concern, many cosmetics contain alcohol and/or animal products. For instance, in red lipsticks, it’s so common to come across the ingredient ‘Carmine’ which is actually made from cochineal beetles. Some cosmetics may even contain pork, wa Allahu 3lam. What is the ruling on wearing such products? What is the stance of the 3lema on this affair? May Allah (Sub7anahu wa ta3la) increase us in beneficial knowledge and protect us from that which is evil, Aameen. Jazak Allah 5air.
Assalam alaykum warahmatuLlahi wabarakatuHu, please I’ll like to clarify the use of powdered nutmeg as ingredients in making snacks. My wife just informed me that she uses it as part of ingredients in local Nigerian foods like puff puff, akara, moi moi etc. My question is, should we stop adding the nutmeg as an ingredient, though none of these foods intoxicate. JazaakaLlahu khayraa
Asalumualaykum
What are the intoxicant properties in nutmeg
Asalm-o-alaylum,
My question may not be relevant on that particular forum but i Didnt know where to put it.so,i want to Ask if is it halal to consume an animal or any animal baked product if the animal is slaughtered by a NON muslim (such as kosher meat).thanks
Wa ‘alaykum as-salaam wa rahmatullaah. “Kosher” is a term used to refer to products that contain meat or meat by-products slaughtered by the Jews. The Jews are Ahlul-Kitaab, as are Christians, and sp such products are halaal by clear textual evidence of the Book of Allaah. [Quran 5:5] This does not apply to non-Muslims other than Jews and Christians though. Their slaughtered meats (and the by-products of those meats) are not permissible.
As-Salaamu ‘alayk wa rahmatullaah,
What about leather shoes and belts we buy and we do not know if they come from permissible slaughtered animals(i.e. by muslims or people of the book). What is the ruling on using/buying these items?
I do not see this discussed.
BarakaAllahu Feek
Salam,my question is regarding the cheeses,almost all the cheeses are made by animal rennets.so if the animal is a cow or a lamb(but has not slaughtered according to islamic rulling)then consuming the cheese will be halal or the cheese will be considered Haram?
As Salaamu alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatu, May Allah preserve you. What is the best way that we may come to know whether a pastry with nutmeg as an ingredient will intoxicate in large amounts or not?
As far as I know, the small amount of nutmeg used in baked goods could not intoxicate, no matter how much of the baked goods you ate. And Allaah knows best. (Remember, this does not mean Muslims can purchase and use nutmeg.)
You say that it is okay to purchase foods that contain small amount of nutmeg that don’t intoxicate, but how can this be permissible? The people who put the nutmeg in the foods are committing a sin. By us Muslims buying these food products, it encourages the producers of the food item to make more, to do more haram. Allah (‘azza wa jal) says something like “to not help each other in sin and transgression.” If Muslims keep buying these foods, then we are supporting those who produce them. We must boycott these items. Therefore, I personally avoid buying these products with nutmeg, even if they are halal. Do you agree with my reasoning Sheikh. Please explain to me why you think that it is okay to purchase such foods with nutmeg (that don’t intoxicate).
No, I do not agree, because the ruling on those items is based on what those items are now, not what each of the individual ingredients would be if consumed alone. Please understand that natural alcohol exists in many basic breads and fruits, and we cannot call them intoxicants because of that. And as for the disobedience of the people who made an item using an intoxicating ingredient in tiny amounts, then the sin of purchasing and using such things is on them and not you, and we have been forbidden from overburdening ourselves religiously! And Allaah knows best.
I’m not trying to argue, but what do you think would happen if no one bought these products with nutmeg (or alcohol, etc.)? I think that it is obvious that the producers would stop manufacturing it. I am not concerning with the ruling on eating the food, but rather purchasing it. Is it not true that everyone who buys such things is contributing to their sin? It is as if we are approving their actions and requesting them to do more haraam. No one forces us to buy these products and they are not necessary, so I don’t see any overburdening. The difference with these foods with haram ingredients as opposed to fruits and bread is that the haram stuff is added into them, not inherently present.
Also, can I ask, what is the ruling on a food product that contains an ingredient named “spice” (and the product is not a homogeneous mixture)? I think that it would be considered one of the doubtful matters. I had these peanuts one time that had an ambiguous “spice” ingredient listed so I avoided it. I contacted the store and I got a reply saying that the spice was indeed nutmeg!
If someone of influence were to say: “If only they removed the nutmeg… we would buy this product,” and this led to a review of their use of nutmeg, that might be helpful. However, we can not require that or assume that purchasing a halaal food items is blameworthy cooperation upon disobedience. Note the difference. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu, please can you help me understand if mace spice is permissible? I know the ruling of nutmeg but I am not sure if mace comes under the same ruling. It is the outer shell of the nutmeg. JazakAllahu khair for your time.
As Salaamu alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh
Is Eucalyptus oil halaal to use on our skin or it’s leaves in tea?
Is wormwood halaal to drink as well? And can we have this plant in our garden where we grow foods?
What is the ruling on using khas khas ( poppy seeds ). Does it intoxicates ?
بارك الله فيك
Assalamu’alaikum Sheikh, thank you for this article. I’m a new Muslim living in the USA and I was hoping for some clarification on this issue. My knowledge of Islam isn’t that comprehensive yet, so I apologize if my questions seem foolish or long-winded.
1. If I understand your article correctly, does this mean that Soy Sauce is halal to consume and cook with? There is a small amount of alcohol in soy sauce, but I’ve never heard of, or experienced, intoxication when consuming or eating food cooked with soy sauce.
2. I purchase pastries from my local grocery store (such as apple strudels, carrot cake, cookies, etc.). I recently noticed on the ingredients labels that these items contain “nutmeg” or “spices” (I’ve read online that “spices” is a generic term manufacturers use to encompass many different spices, including but not limited to, nutmeg). I’ve eaten these products all my life, and in many cases, I have these pastries everyday, but I’ve never noticed any effect on me, no matter how much I consume. My family members also eat them, and I’ve never noticed any effects on them. Do these types of examples, where the nutmeg is one of many ingredients in the foods, and the products don’t cause intoxication, meet the criteria that these products are halal to buy/consume?
3. As far as the description “no matter how much is consumed,” is there a way of knowing how much is enough to consume before we can reasonably claim that it does not have an intoxicating effect? If you drink 10 cups of coffee, for instance, it will have a hyperactive effect on you, yet coffee is halal. So how much should we consume before we can safely say a product does not intoxicate “no matter how much is consumed”? Sometimes, I’ll have two or three pastries at a time, or more than 1 piece of cake, and it does nothing. However, if I were to eat the entire cake on my own, to the point of being stuffed to nausea, it would cause discomfort and maybe some effects. Does this mean eating the cake would be disallowed?
4. You said that nutmeg needed to be a “minor” ingredient in order for it to be permissible. I checked online on the FDA website (the government body that is responsible for regulating food ingredients in the U.S.), and it says “On a product label, the ingredients are listed in order of predominance, with the ingredients used in the greatest amount first, followed in descending order by those in smaller amounts.” So does this mean if “nutmeg” or “spices” are listed near the end of the list, then it’s halal to consume, but if it’s at the beginning, it’s not? Is there a basic rule of thumb for how far down the list the ingredients should be? I assume, generally speaking, that nutmeg/spices are usually used in small amounts in a product, but if we’re not completely sure, such as when we get the food from a restaurant or coffee shop, is it permissible to eat/drink when we only know that the nutmeg is simply ONE of MANY ingredients, and it’s likely that the food will not intoxicate? Please note I’ve never seen nutmeg or spices listed at the beginning of an ingredients list, only at the end; I’m just asking for future reference.
5. Finally, I’m wondering about drinks made at coffee shops like Starbucks, or those made from automated machines. Sometimes the employees will make a coffee drink, and then sprinkle on top of it what they call a “dusting” or “sprinkling” of cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Basically, this is a powder they put on top of the foam/milk before serving it to you. If this “dusting” is added to the top of the coffee, does it make it haram to drink since it’s not mixed with the liquid, but is on top, in powdered form? What about if before drinking it, it is mixed (either by us or the employee) with the larger liquid, so that it’s no longer distinguishable? In the case of machines, there is no way to check the ingredients, since the machines usually don’t list them, and there’s no way to know if nutmeg has been mixed when the drink was being made. What is the ruling in these cases?
I know I asked a lot, and I apologize in advance. These issues have been causing me great distress and I’m hesitant to buy/eat anything outdoors for fear of consuming haram. Thank you very much for your time, and may Allah reward and protect you. Jazak’Allah.
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. May Allaah bless you for seeking clarification, my respected new Muslim brother!
1. Yes, you’ve understood correctly.
2. Yes, likewise.
3. It comes in some of the versions of the hadeeth, like in Jaami’ at-Tirmithee: ما أسكر الفرق منه فملء الكف منه حرام (Whatever intoxicates by the faraq, then a small amount in the palm of your hand is haraam”) A faraq is a large jug of about 19 liters. The point is not to specify that as what is meant by a large quantity, but to give one example. There is no specific definition of a large quantity that I know of to specify the generality of the hadeeth, so I believe it remains based on how it is understood linguistically, so: as much as a person could consume. And Allaah knows best.
4. Yes, an ingredient listed lastly or near the end of the list of ingredients indicates its small quantity in that item. Again, the real judgment on that finalized product is made based on whether or not it intoxicates when consumed in large amounts.
5. I don’t know. And Allaah knows best.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Ustad is consuming Tabasco sauce permissible? I dont know whether it contains alcohol or not but during production its kept in barrels which were used to make whiskey. From what I understand if it doesn’t intoxicate then it’s permissable
جزاك الله خيراً
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabasco_sauce
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
The process, based on the source you’ve provided, includes the following: “To prepare the barrel, the inside of the barrel is de-charred (top layer of wood is removed), torched, and cleaned, to minimize the presence of any residual whiskey.”
If this is correct, it should be sufficient, and Allah knows best.
And I worry that this question might be coming close to kathrat as-Su’aal (excessive questioning), since it may be investigating a halaal food item until some tiny detail is found which then becomes a concern, and Allah knows best. So be careful…
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh
Ustadh
If a person doubt whether the food containing nutmeg or not. Does this render the food to be halal as the principle the everything deem to be permissible ? The examples of food are some curry which contain nutmeg , the ingredient is known based on the information on the internet however, we do not if the one who cooks it put it in.
JazakAllah Khair
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. Based on the most correct position that things classified as khamr (intoxicants) are not physically najas (impure), then the food product which has an amount of an intoxicant in it, is judged by what it is now, not what the individual ingredients would do on their own. So a cake with nutmeg in it is judged by its effect when eaten in large quantities. If you ate many pieces of a cake made with an amount of nutmeg, and became intoxicated as a result, then a crumb of that cake is haraam to consume. This is based on the hadeeth (which means), “Whatever intoxicates in large amounts, then a small amount of it is haraam.” (ِAhmad & the four Sunan, authentic) With this, it is important to note that this discussion so far has been only about the final product, when made by others. It is not permissible for us to make such a cake, because that would include that we purchase, store, and use nutmeg, which is an intoxicant. It would be like buying beer or wine to cook with, which is not permissible, even if the resulting food items do not intoxicate. And Allah knows best.
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Moosaa,
May Allaah reward you. I got very confused. I’ve been warning my friends from listening to Soofees and Ash’aris. But here I see that the scholars are taking Fiqh rulings from him, taking his ruling on the permissibility of nutmegs.
I thought the methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah was to abandon the books of the people of innovation.
Perhaps it’s permissible to take the good from them, so long as one is qualified? I was a bit relieved to read that scholars used his works. What principle was used here to allow Ahlus-Sunnah to take Fiqh rulings from Ahlul-Bid’ah?
Please note I am in no way “challenging” or “attacking” you or the scholars. I’m just asking because I’m just confused.
Baarak Allaahu Feek.
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. Ibn Hajar al-Haytamee had some unique works which some scholars deem to be significant enough not to ignore, while the author was a man of deviation and enmity for the scholars of the Sunnah in some very serious issues of creed. His hatred of Ibn Taymiyah and the scholars of Sunnah leads some scholars to say: Ignore his books and seek the supposed benefit in them from the books of Ahlus-Sunnah. This is clearly a safer position. Yet, please notice that I have only quoted a passage from him, from that which the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah considered significant enough to quote themselves. Otherwise, we fall back on the general methodology of not reading from or referring to the books of the people of deviation. And Allah knows best.
This question comes up: “If the scholars quote from the books of Ibn al-Jowzee, an-Nawawee, both Ibn Hajar’s (al-‘Asqalaanee and al-Haytamee), when they all had serious errors in creed, then why do you warn us from listening to people who have similar errors today?”
The very important answer: The people you are referring to, the Sufi Ash’aris of today, do they have any outstanding works that we need, which cannot be replaced by the work of Ahlus-Sunnah? And to be clear, this is not in the average person’s opinion, who might say, “Oh wow, So-and-So’s Seerah classes are second to none!” and the likes. What is meant is the same as is applied to an-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar and their likes: Scholarly works recognized as significant and unique BY THE SCHOLARS, while they still warn against the errors in those books!
Aboo ‘Abdir-Rahmaan as-Sulamee, the great imaam among the Taabi’oon, narrated once with a Murji’ in his chain, saying, “So-and-So, the Murji’, narrated to me…” So he was asked, “Why do you narrate from a Murji’?” He said, “I am selling you the meat with the bones.” Meaning: He clarified that the person in the chain was a Murji’ and did not hide his status, for an important narration that he did not have something from Ahlus-Sunnah to replace it with. Notice how they were though, “Why do you narrate from a Murji’?” indicating that this was strange and out of the ordinary in the first place. The report was collected by al-Khateeb, see: Sharh Hilyat Taalib al-‘Ilm of Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (p.145)
The promoters of deviants want neither of these two necessary parts of the analogy. They want the average Joe’s praise of the deviants work to establish their scholarly status up there next to an-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar. Yet, it doesn’t work like that. Lots of YouTube views or popularity among the masses does not earn a person scholarly status. And secondly, they also want us to ignore and never speak about the errors or creed of those deviants. So what seems like a valid claim before inspection actually falls flat on its face, and becomes known as a failed attempt to connect two clearly different scenarios, and Allah knows best.
Assalamu’Alaykum .
If our Deen is complete and that the people of sunnah have all the truth with them when combined , then why is there a work outside their fold in which there are benefits outside that of the fold of the people of the sunnah , Bārakallāhufeekum ?
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaakuh. Because Allah will aid His Religion howsoever He chooses! He is the One who chose to aid His Religion through the jihaad of a man from the people of the Hellfire! The man who fought bravely was fighting in the way of Allah, crushing the enemies on the battlefield, but he was a man from the people of Hell! When wounded, he impaled himself upon his sword and committed suicide. (Bukhari & Muslim) And Allah is the One who decreed for the Jews to inform the Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) that the Companions had been saying, “It is as Allah and Muhammad have willed.” And so, through their interaction, Allah clarified the impermissibility of that, upon the tongue of His Messenger. So Allah is the One who shows His Creation that He will aid His Religion howsoever He likes, even by way of evil people, as the entire affair is in His Hand alone! and Allah knows best.
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahe wa barkatuhu, Brother Moosaa. To respond to a question of Abu Maryam Hussain bin AbdulQayyum on April 28, 2014 at 2:26 am you said gelatine is not haram as it is changed due to processing. We live in Canada, we avoid many food as those contain glycerine. My question is : Is glycine halal analysing on the same logic? Please respond. Jazakallahu Khairan.
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. I do not know if gelatin has undergone the process of istihaalah or not, and for that reason, I do not purchase anything with gelatin in it, as I consider it a pork by-product, and I do not have clarity that it should be classified as a new substance. What you are referring to is the opinion of one of my teachers, not my position, to be clear. What you have referred to is here: https://www.bakkah.net/en/nutmeg-the-spice-is-an-intoxicant-khamr.htm#comment-11405
As for glycerine, then I do not know.
Products containing gelatin are usually unhealthy anyways. It’s something easy to avoid and there are many alternatives that have a greater benefit in this life and the next.
Good point, may Allah reward you, Yousef. Gummi Bears aren’t exactly a superfood! Aside from the unhealthy candies, there are a few cases that are actually relative to good health, like when a beneficial medication is only available in “gel-caps” encapsulated in gelatin. Even in such cases, I would still advise that safety in the Religion is important and well worth the inconvenience of finding that medication in a different form (in non-emergency cases). And Allah knows best.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته Ustadh, JazaakAllaah Khayr for the explanations above. To check my understanding could you please confirm if the below is correct?
1. As Muslims, we cannot own or use nutmeg in our food but if the food is prepared by someone else and nutmeg is used in small quantities then it’s permissible to consume as the finished product won’t intoxicate when taken in large amount?
2. If I purchase jerk seasoning or old bay seasoning where nutmeg is listed as one of the ingredients, this is permissible to use as one can’t separate the nutmeg from other ingredients and using large amount won’t intoxicate?
3. Haribo or gummy bears, are scholars of the opinion that despite the gelatin in its content, it is permissible as it’s gone through processing but you personally won’t buy such a product as you aren’t sure if it has gone through processing?
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
1. That seems correct, and Allah knows best.
2. This also seems correct, and Allah knows best.
3. I’ve always avoided gelatin myself and I have always advised my brothers and sisters to avoid it, as it is a pork by-product. I consider the possibility that it has gone through istihaalah and become a new substance to be speculative, and we should stick to what is clear and proven and leave off what is doubtful when it comes to the limits of Allah. In this case, we know for sure it is a pork by-product, and we are unsure if it has actually gone through a transformation (istihaalah) to become a new substance, so apply the principles: “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt,” and, “Certainty is not affected by doubt.” And Allah knows best. Review this official fatwa from the Permanent Committee: [click here]
NOTE: This discussion is about gelatin from pork. There are vegan forms of gelatin, as well as bovine (from cow) and fish gelatin. These are all permissible. (The bovine gelatin needs to be from halaal beef of course.)
It is also worth noting that “gummy bears” and similar items are not healthy food choices at all, whatever the ingredients!
To be clear: Many people attribute to me that I have said gelatin is permissible. I do not recall ever holding that position or teaching it. I have only translated for one of the mashaayikh (about 20 years ago) his argument that gelatin is permissible because it has gone through istihaalah. I have been asked about his opinion, and I have explained it, as a duty to him, not that it is my position. Please understand the role of a translator/student vs. the role of a teacher. If I am translating, it is not at all from the responsibility of the translator to interject with his opinion about whether he agrees or not with an opinion.
Who is the Shaykh that you translated the topic of gelatin and istaahalah (transformation) from?
Shaykh Muhammad ‘Umar Baazmool
Assalamu alaykum Shaykh, please have a look at this article/audio related to nutmeg based on speech from Shaykh Abdullaah Al-Bukhari hafidahUllaaah: https://tasfiyah.com/is-nutmeg-allowed/
I can’t locate the fatwa from the lajna. Can you direct me to it? Appreciate it.
I could not locate it online, sorry. You will just have to use the reference provided in the article, and find a real copy of Volume 22 of the Lajnah’s Fatwaa collection. I just checked the printed version for accuracy, and the pages cited are accurate, wal-hamdu lillaah.