Lawful & Unlawful

16^th February 2020

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: I use a fabric conditioner and I discovered it contains an ingredient called tallow. Upon contacting Unilever, a major company that deals with cosmetic products, they confirmed that it was an animal-derived product. My question is, would it be permissible to use such detergent product?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

Based on my enquiries and research into the matter, animal-derived ingredient exists across many cosmetic and food products.[1] Animal ingredient comes in different forms under different names so the scope of permissibility depends on whether or not such an ingredient results in a significant “Chemical” change whereby it forms into something else (a new product, with different properties) (McMurry, Organic Chemistry, 6^th Edition). A detailed answer is necessary which should hopefully not only answer the case in question but apply across other cosmetic products also that contain similar ingredients as well.

So to begin with, what is Tallow? Tallow[2] is derived from the animal fat that is made by rendering (melting) the suet, the white fatty layer that surrounds the meat or organ; kidney or loin, of an animal such as sheep, goat, cow or pig. It mainly consists of glyceryl esters, (such as Tri-Glycerides) of oleic, palmitic, stearic acids, linoleic and myristic acid. These terms commonly appear on the ingredient packet, so one must be aware that they are animal fat.[3] Tallow exists in a wide variety of products such as paints, soaps, shaving creams, comfort detergent as well as other personal care products.[4] The reason why they are used in products is so to bind the mixture of the other chemicals together.[5] In doing so it makes the product conducive to fulfilling its purpose.

There are two key issues relevant to its Islamic fiqh perspective; the ruling of the fat derived from animals whether pure or impure and secondly, if the substance is deemed impure, then does its ruling change when added into cosmetic products in addition to other chemicals. Regarding the first point, the flesh and fat of an animal are deemed impure unless it is slaughtered by severing the throat; with or without the recital of Almighty Allāh’s blessed name on it. Cutting the throat causes to drain out all of the blood in the animal which is the main source of the animal’s impurity. Once the blood is drained out, then the flesh and fat (as well as the bone and skin) become pure, though not permissible to eat if it is a non-Halāl animal or a Halāl animal that is slaughtered without Allāh’s name being mentioned on it.[6] Hence, if it is proven that the animal was slaughtered before harvesting its fat to be rendered down into Tallow then it is deemed pure. Pig, however, is an exception to this ruling as it is regarded “absolute impure” – najis al-ayn compared to other non-Halāl animals. Its flesh, fat, skin or any of its body parts remain impure even after it is slaughtered.[7]

If the animal was not slaughtered, then this leads to the second point that does the ruling change or not if it has undergone significant “chemical change”?

The mainstream Hanafi jurists view that any impurity that undergoes significant change whereby its entity (the very molecular structure) changes into something else then so does its ruling change. The common example cited is alcohol changing into vinegar which becomes Halāl to consume and not vice-versa. Another case example is that if soap was manufactured with impure oil then the soap remains pure and permissible to use, with the similar reason that the impurity changes as a result of the additional ingredients in the soap. This is known as tabdeel-mahiyyat – actual physical and chemical change of molecular property that either becomes something else or it no longer retains its original property and molecular structure. This view was maintained by Imām Muhammad rahimahullah, who is from amongst the senior Hanafi Jurists, which the later Hanafi jurists adopted due to public predicament.[8] In Abideen Shami rahimahullah, a contemporary Hanafi jurist argues that this principle is not restricted to soap only but applicable in all instances where the actual chemical change occurs.[9] This includes modern cosmetic products whereby due to the change of molecular property with addition to other chemicals become pure and permissible to use.

What constitutes actual chemical change (in some cases physical change or quality change – Tabdeel sifat) is a topic in itself but what is important to know is that certain chemical changes can lead to a change of physical property, provided that it is significant enough whereby it is referred to something else. This can at times occur due to other chemical additives etc. Therefore, it can be safely stated that Tallow or any other animal fats found in cosmetic products are permissible to use due to a higher chance of it undergoing chemical and physical change due to other chemical additives.

The above was the fatwa position but from a personal piety perspective, it is preferable to use those detergent and cosmetic products that are not derived from nor contain animal fat.

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written and researched by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] An example of food is margarine which contains natural fat from animals.

2.Tallow is molecule which is made up of mainly triglycerides and triesters (R,R’, R” = C11-C19 chains) (Animal fat), whose major constituents are derived from stearic and oleic acids. The Triglyceride can be broken down to simpler molecules by the process of “saponification”, which is the hydrolysis of the animal fat with an alkali. This normally occurs when the solid dry soap comes into contact with water. The alkalinity will come from the other suspended substances which the soap or cosmetic has been manufactured with. This is due to the LeBlanc Process which made Na2CO3, this process became commercially available in the 19 century. The end molecular products of the animal fats are a fatty aliphatic chain, the soap and a glycerol molecule. (McMurry J (2003), pg. 1027-1033). So the process of “Tabdeel-mahiyyat”, is evident. (Mufti Abu Bakar Karolia, Chemist)

[3] Some of these components can be derived from plants too but they are mostly obtained from animal fats. See the links below for more information on tallow.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallow

https://blog.kettleandfire.com/what-is-tallow/

https://www.britannica.com/science/tallow

https://gentleworld.org/hidden-animal-fats/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/2311208/tallow-animal-fat-new-notes/

https://www.dummies.com/food-drink/recipes/vegetarian-vegan/hidden-animal-ingredients-in-foods/

[4] Same reference as above

[5] McMurry J, (2003), Organic Chemistry, Page 1027-1033, 6th Edition, Brooks/Cole

[6] According to some sources, manufacturing companies receive the animal flesh from slaughterhouses. See the links above.

Kasān, Badā’i Sanāi, Kitāb al-Tahārah, vol 1 p. 86 – shamila

[فَصْلٌ بَيَانُ مَا يَقَعُ بِهِ التَّطْهِيرُ]

(وَمِنْهَا) الذَّكَاةُ فِي تَطْهِيرِ الذَّبِيحِ، وَجُمْلَةُ الْكَلَامِ فِيهَا أَنَّ الْحَيَوَانَ إنْ كَانَ مَأْكُولَ اللَّحْمِ فَذُبِحَ طَهُرَ بِجَمِيعِ أَجْزَائِهِ إلَّا الدَّمَ الْمَسْفُوحَ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَأْكُولَ اللَّحْمِ فَمَا هُوَ طَاهِرٌ مِنْ الْمَيْتَةِ، مِنْ الْأَجْزَاءِ الَّتِي لَا دَمَ فِيهَا، كَالشَّعْرِ وَأَمْثَالِهِ، يَطْهُرُ مِنْهُ بِالذَّكَاةِ عِنْدَنَا.وَأَمَّا الْأَجْزَاءُ الَّتِي فِيهَا الدَّمُ كَاللَّحْمِ وَالشَّحْمِ وَالْجِلْدِ فَهَلْ تَطْهُرُ بِالذَّكَاةِ، اتَّفَقَ أَصْحَابُنَا عَلَى أَنَّ جِلْدَهُ يَطْهُرُ بِالذَّكَاةِ وَقَالَ الشَّافِعِيُّ: لَا يَطْهُرُ وَجْهُ قَوْلِهِ أَنَّ الذَّكَاةَ لَمْ تُفِدْ حِلًّا فَلَا تُفِيدُ طُهْرًا وَهَذَا؛ لِأَنَّ أَثَرَ الذَّكَاةِ يَظْهَرُ فِيمَا وُضِعَ لَهُ أَصْلًا، – وَهُوَ حِلُّ تَنَاوُلِ اللَّحْمِ – وَفِي غَيْرِهِ تَبَعًا فَإِذَا لَمْ يَظْهَرْ أَثَرُهَا فِي الْأَصْلِ كَيْفَ يَظْهَرُ فِي التَّبَعِ؛ فَصَارَ كَمَا لَوْ ذَبَحَهُ مَجُوسِيٌّ.(وَلَنَا) مَا رُوِيَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «دِبَاغُ الْأَدِيمِ ذَكَاتُهُ» أَلْحَقَ الذَّكَاةَ بِالدِّبَاغِ، ثُمَّ الْجِلْدُ يَطْهُرُ بِالدِّبَاغِ كَذَا بِالذَّكَاةِ؛ لِأَنَّ الذَّكَاةَ تُشَارِكُ الدِّبَاغَ فِي إزَالَةِ الدِّمَاءِ السَّائِلَةِ، وَالرُّطُوبَاتِ النَّجِسَةِ، فَتُشَارِكُهُ فِي إفَادَةِ الطَّهَارَةِ، وَمَا ذُكِرَ مِنْ مَعْنَى التَّبَعِيَّةِ فَغَيْرُ سَدِيدٍ؛ لِأَنَّ طَهَارَةَ الْجِلْدِ حُكْمٌ مَقْصُودٌ فِي الْجِلْدِ، كَمَا أَنَّ تَنَاوُلَ اللَّحْمِ حُكْمٌ مَقْصُودٌ فِي اللَّحْمِ، وَفِعْلُ الْمَجُوسِيِّ لَيْسَ بِذَكَاةٍ؛ لِعَدَمِ أَهْلِيَّةِ الذَّكَاةِ، فَلَا يُفِيدُ الطَّهَارَةَ فَتَعَيَّنَ تَطْهِيرُهُ بِالدِّبَاغِ، وَاخْتَلَفُوا فِي طَهَارَةِ اللَّحْمِ وَالشَّحْمِ، ذَكَرَ الْكَرْخِيُّ فَقَالَ: كُلُّ حَيَوَانٍ يَطْهُرُ بِالدِّبَاغِ؛ يَطْهُرُ جِلْدُهُ بِالذَّكَاةِ، فَهَذَا يَدُلُّ عَلَى أَنَّهُ يَطْهُرُ لَحْمُهُ وَشَحْمُهُ وَسَائِرُ أَجْزَائِهِ؛ لِأَنَّ الْحَيَوَانَ اسْمٌ لِجُمْلَةِ الْأَجْزَاءِ.وَقَالَ بَعْضُ مَشَايِخِنَا وَمَشَايِخِ بَلْخٍ: إنَّ كُلَّ حَيَوَانٍ يَطْهُرُ جِلْدُهُ بِالدِّبَاغِ يَطْهُرُ جِلْدُهُ بِالذَّكَاةِ، فَأَمَّا اللَّحْمُ وَالشَّحْمُ وَنَحْوُهُمَا فَلَا يَطْهُرُ، وَالْأَوَّلُ أَقْرَبُ إلَى الصَّوَابِ؛ لِمَا مَرَّ أَنَّ النَّجَاسَةَ لِمَكَانِ الدَّمِ الْمَسْفُوحِ، وَقَدْ زَالَ بِالذَّكَاةِ.

Ibn Nujaym, Bahr Rāiq, Kitāb al-Tahārah, vol 1 p. 189

وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ مَا طَهُرَ جِلْدُهُ بِالدِّبَاغِ طَهُرَ بِالذَّكَاةِ لَحْمُهُ وَجِلْدُهُ سَوَاءٌ كَانَ مَأْكُولًا أَوْ لَا أَمَّا طَهَارَةُ جِلْدِهِ، فَهُوَ ظَاهِرُ الْمَذْهَبِ كَمَا فِي الْبَدَائِعِ وَفِي النِّهَايَةِ أَنَّهُ اخْتِيَارُ بَعْضِ الْمَشَايِخِ وَعِنْدَ بَعْضِهِمْ إنَّمَا يَطْهُرُ جِلْدُهُ بِالذَّكَاةِ إذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ سُؤْرُهُ نَجِسًا اهـ. وَأَمَّا طَهَارَةُ لَحْمِهِ إذَا كَانَ غَيْرَ مَأْكُولٍ فَقَدْ اُخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ فَصَحَّحَ فِي الْبَدَائِعِ وَالْهِدَايَةِ وَالتَّجْنِيسِ طَهَارَتَهُ وَصَحَّحَ فِي الْأَسْرَارِ وَالْكِفَايَةِ وَالتَّبْيِينِ نَجَاسَتَهُ وَفِي الْمِعْرَاجِ أَنَّهُ قَوْلُ الْمُحَقِّقِينَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا وَفِي الْخُلَاصَةِ هُوَ الْمُخْتَارُ وَاخْتَارَهُ قَاضِي خان، وَفِي التَّبْيِينِ أَنَّهُ قَوْلُ أَكْثَرِ الْمَشَايِخِ، وَأَمَّا الْمُصَنِّفُ فَقَدْ اخْتَلَفَ كَلَامُهُ فَصَحَّحَ فِي الْكَافِي نَجَاسَتَهُ وَاخْتَارَ فِي الْكَنْزِ فِي الذَّبَائِحِ طَهَارَتَهُ وَسَنَتَكَلَّمُ عَلَيْهَا بِدَلَائِلِهَا وَبَيَانِ مَا هُوَ الْحَقُّ ثَمَّةَ إنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَكِنْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ الْكُتُبِ أَنَّ الذَّكَاةَ إنَّمَا تُوجِبُ الطَّهَارَةَ فِي الْجِلْدِ وَاللَّحْمِ إذَا كَانَتْ مِنْ الْأَهْلِ فِي الْمَحَلِّ، وَهُوَ مَا بَيْنَ اللَّبَّةِ وَاللَّحْيَيْنِ، وَقَدْ سَمَّى بِحَيْثُ لَوْ كَانَ مَأْكُولًا يَحِلُّ أَكْلُهُ بِتِلْكَ الذَّكَاةِ فَذَبِيحَةُ الْمَجُوسِيِّ لَا تُوجِبُ الطَّهَارَةَ؛ لِأَنَّهَا إمَاتَةٌ وَقَدْ قَدَّمْنَا عَنْ مِعْرَاجِ الدِّرَايَةِ مَعْزِيًّا إلَى الْمُجْتَبَى أَنَّ ذَبِيحَةَ الْمَجُوسِيِّ وَتَارِكِ التَّسْمِيَةِ عَمْدًا تُوجِبُ الطَّهَارَةَ عَلَى الْأَصَحِّ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَأْكُولًا، وَكَذَا نَقَلَ صَاحِبُ الْمِعْرَاجِ فِي هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ الطَّهَارَةَ عَنْ الْقُنْيَةِ أَيْضًا هُنَا وَصَاحِبُ الْقُنْيَةِ هُوَ صَاحِبُ الْمُجْتَبَى، وَهُوَ الْإِمَامُ الزَّاهِدِيُّ الْمَشْهُورُ عِلْمُهُ وَفِقْهُهُ

[7] Ibn Nujaym, Bahr Rāiq, Kitāb al-Tahārah, vol 1 p. 185

وَكُلُّ مَا يَقَعُ عَلَيْهِ الذَّكَاةُ فَعَظْمُهُ لَا يَكُونُ نَجِسًا بِخِلَافِ الْآدَمِيِّ وَالْخِنْزِيرِ اهـ. وَكَذَا ذَكَرَ الْوَلْوَالِجِيُّ وَذَكَرَ فِي السِّرَاجِ الْوَهَّاجِ مَعْزِيًّا إلَى الذَّخِيرَةِ أَسْنَانَ الْكَلْبِ طَاهِرَةً وَأَسْنَانَ الْآدَمِيِّ نَجِسَةً؛ لِأَنَّ الْكَلْبَ يَقَعُ عَلَيْهِ الذَّكَاةُ بِخِلَافِ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَالْآدَمِيِّ اهـ. وَلَا يَخْفَى أَنَّ هَذَا كُلَّهُ عَلَى الْقَوْلِ بِطَهَارَةِ عَيْنِهِ؛ لِأَنَّهُ عَلَّلَهُ بِكَوْنِهِ يَطْهُرُ بِالذَّكَاةِ، وَأَمَّا عَلَى الْقَوْلِ بِنَجَاسَةِ عَيْنِهِ فَلَا تَعْمَلُ فِيهِ الذَّكَاةُ فَتَكُونُ أَسْنَانُهُ نَجِسَةً كَالْخِنْزِيرِ

[8] Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Tahārah, vol 1, p. 50

[الْبَابُ السَّابِعُ فِي النَّجَاسَةِ وَأَحْكَامِهَا وَفِيهِ ثَلَاثَةُ فُصُولٍ]

[الْفَصْلُ الْأَوَّلُ فِي تَطْهِيرِ الْأَنْجَاسِ]

الْحِمَارُ أَوْ الْخِنْزِيرُ إذَا وَقَعَ فِي الْمَمْلَحَةِ فَصَارَ مِلْحًا أَوْ بِئْرِ الْبَالُوعَةِ إذَا صَارَ طِينًا يَطْهُرُ عِنْدَهُمَا خِلَافًا لِأَبِي يُوسُفَ – رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ -. كَذَا فِي مُحِيطِ السَّرَخْسِيِّ……….جُعِلَ الدُّهْنُ النَّجِسُ فِي الصَّابُونِ يُفْتَى بِطَهَارَتِهِ؛ لِأَنَّهُ تَغَيَّرَ. كَذَا فِي الزَّاهِدِيِّ

Muheet biryani, Kitāb al-Tahārah, vol 1, p. 191 – shamila

ولكنا لا نفتي بنجاسة الصابون لأنا لا نفتي بنجاسة الدهن؛ لأن الأصل الطهارة، والنجاسة يعارض أمراً نادراً وقع، إنما نفتي بنجاسة الدهن، ولا نفتي بنجاسة الصابون؛ لأن الدهن قد تغير وصار شيئاً آخر، وقد ذكرنا أن من مذهب محمد رحمه الله أن النجس يصير طاهراً بالتغيير، يفتى فيه بقول محمد رحمه الله لمكان عموم البلوى.

Ibn Nujaym, Bahr Rāiq, Kitāb al-Tahārah, vol 1 p. 394

وَفِي الْخُلَاصَةِ وَعَلَيْهِ الْفَتْوَى وَفِي فَتْحِ الْقَدِيرِ أَنَّهُ الْمُخْتَارُ؛ لِأَنَّ الشَّرْعَ رَتَّبَ وَصْفَ النَّجَاسَةِ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَقِيقَةِ وَتَنْتَفِي الْحَقِيقَةُ بِانْتِفَاءِ بَعْضِ أَجْزَاءِ مَفْهُومِهَا فَكَيْفَ بِالْكُلِّ فَإِنَّ الْمِلْحَ غَيْرُ الْعَظْمِ وَاللَّحْمِ فَإِذَا صَارَ مِلْحًا تَرَتَّبَ حُكْمُ الْمِلْحِ وَنَظِيرُهُ فِي الشَّرْعِ النُّطْفَةُ نَجِسَةٌ وَتَصِيرُ عَلَقَةً وَهِيَ نَجِسَةٌ وَتَصِيرُ مُضْغَةً فَتَطْهُرُ وَالْعَصِيرُ طَاهِرٌ فَيَصِيرُ خَمْرًا فَيُنَجَّسُ وَيَصِيرُ خَلًّا فَيَطْهُرُ فَعَرَفْنَا أَنَّ اسْتِحَالَةَ الْعَيْنِ تَسْتَتْبِعُ زَوَالَ الْوَصْفِ الْمُرَتَّبِ عَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى قَوْلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَرَّعُوا الْحُكْمَ بِطَهَارَةِ صَابُونٍ صُنِعَ مِنْ زَيْتٍ نَجَسٍ اهـ. وَفِي الْمُجْتَبَى جَعْلُ الدُّهْنِ النَّجَسُ فِي صَابُونٍ يُفْتَى بِطَهَارَتِهِ؛ لِأَنَّهُ تَغَيَّرَ وَالتَّغْيِيرُ يُطَهِّرُ عِنْدَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَيُفْتَى بِهِ لِلْبَلْوَى

The similar ruling applies to if pig fat was found in soap and it is certain that it has undergone significant change then using the soap will be permissible. See Mufti Kifayatullah, Kifayatul Mufti, Kitāb al-Tahārah, fourth Bab of soap, vol 2, p. 277-284

[9] Durrul Mukhtār wa hashiyah Ibn Ābideen Shāmi, Kitāb al-Tahārah, Bāb al-Anjas, vol 1 p. 519

ثُمَّ هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةُ قَدْ فَرَّعُوهَا عَلَى قَوْلِ مُحَمَّدٍ بِالطَّهَارَةِ بِانْقِلَابِ الْعَيْنِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْفَتْوَى وَاخْتَارَهُ أَكْثَرُ الْمَشَايِخِ خِلَافًا لِأَبِي يُوسُفَ كَمَا فِي شَرْحِ الْمُنْيَةِ وَالْفَتْحِ وَغَيْرِهِمَا. وَعِبَارَةُ الْمُجْتَبَى: جَعْلُ الدُّهْنِ النَّجِسِ فِي صَابُونٍ يُفْتَى بِطَهَارَتِهِ؛ لِأَنَّهُ تَغَيَّرَ وَالتَّغَيُّرُ يُطَهِّرُ عِنْدَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَيُفْتَى بِهِ لِلْبَلْوَى. اهـ. وَظَاهِرُهُ أَنَّ دُهْنَ الْمَيْتَةِ كَذَلِكَ لِتَعْبِيرِهِ بِالنَّجِسِ دُونَ الْمُتَنَجِّسِ إلَّا أَنْ يُقَالَ هُوَ خَاصٌّ بِالنَّجِسِ؛ لِأَنَّ الْعَادَةَ فِي الصَّابُونِ وَضْعُ الزَّيْتِ دُونَ بَقِيَّةِ الْأَدْهَانِ تَأَمَّلْ، ثُمَّ رَأَيْت فِي شَرْحِ الْمُنْيَةِ مَا يُؤَيِّدُ الْأَوَّلَ حَيْثُ قَالَ: وَعَلَيْهِ يَتَفَرَّعُ مَا لَوْ وَقَعَ إنْسَانٌ أَوْ كَلْبٌ فِي قِدْرِ الصَّابُونِ فَصَارَ صَابُونًا يَكُونُ طَاهِرًا لِتَبَدُّلِ الْحَقِيقَةِ. اهـ. ثُمَّ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْعِلَّةَ عِنْدَ مُحَمَّدٍ هِيَ التَّغَيُّرُ وَانْقِلَابُ الْحَقِيقَةِ وَأَنَّهُ يُفْتَى بِهِ لِلْبَلْوَى كَمَا عُلِمَ مِمَّا مَرَّ، وَمُقْتَضَاهُ عَدَمُ اخْتِصَاصِ ذَلِكَ الْحُكْمِ بِالصَّابُونِ، فَيَدْخُلُ فِيهِ كُلُّ مَا كَانَ فِيهِ تَغَيُّرٌ وَانْقِلَابُ حَقِيقَةٍ وَكَانَ فِيهِ بَلْوَى عَامَّةٌ، فَيُقَالُ: كَذَلِكَ فِي الدِّبْسِ الْمَطْبُوخِ إذَا كَانَ زَبِيبُهُ مُتَنَجِّسًا وَلَا سِيَّمَا أَنَّ الْفَأْرَ يَدْخُلُهُ فَيَبُولُ وَيَبْعَرُ فِيهِ وَقَدْ يَمُوتُ فِيهِ، وَقَدْ بَحَثَ كَذَلِكَ بَعْضُ شُيُوخِ مَشَايِخِنَا فَقَالَ: وَعَلَى هَذَا إذَا تَنَجَّسَ السِّمْسِمُ ثُمَّ صَارَ طَحِينَةً يَطْهُرُ، خُصُوصًا وَقَدْ عَمَّتْ بِهِ الْبَلْوَى وَقَاسَهُ عَلَى مَا إذَا وَقَعَ عُصْفُورٌ فِي بِئْرٍ حَتَّى صَارَ طِينًا لَا يَلْزَمُ إخْرَاجُهُ لِاسْتِحَالَتِهِ.

قُلْت: لَكِنْ قَدْ يُقَالُ: إنَّ الدِّبْسَ لَيْسَ فِيهِ انْقِلَابُ حَقِيقَةٍ؛ لِأَنَّهُ عَصِيرٌ جَمَدَ بِالطَّبْخِ؛ وَكَذَا السِّمْسِمُ إذَا دُرِسَ وَاخْتَلَطَ دُهْنُهُ بِأَجْزَائِهِ فَفِيهِ تَغَيُّرُ وَصْفٍ فَقَطْ؛ كَلَبَنٍ صَارَ جُبْنًا، وَبُرٍّ صَارَ طَحِينًا، وَطَحِينٍ صَارَ خُبْزًا؛ بِخِلَافِ نَحْوِ خَمْرٍ صَارَ خَلًّا وَحِمَارٍ وَقَعَ فِي مَمْلَحَةٍ فَصَارَ مِلْحًا، وَكَذَا دُرْدِيُّ خَمْرٍ صَارَ طِرْطِيرًا وَعَذِرَةٌ صَارَتْ رَمَادًا أَوْ حَمْأَةً، فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ كُلَّهُ انْقِلَابُ حَقِيقَةٍ إلَى حَقِيقَةٍ أُخْرَى لَا مُجَرَّدُ انْقِلَابِ وَصْفٍ كَمَا سَيَأْتِي – وَاَللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ –

16^th February 2020

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: Is it permissible to accept gifts from Non-Muslims?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer: In reference to the above query, it is permissible to accept gifts from non-Muslims,[1] as long as the gift is halal and it is from a permissible source.[2] Sayyiduna Anas radhiyallahu anhu narrates that a Jew once brought a sheep to the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. He accepted the gift and ate from it.[3]

[Allāh Knows Best]

Written by:  Apa Gul-e-Maryam        Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed

Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Muheet Al Burhani,Kitab Karhiyya,Vol 5,Pg 367

وفي «عيون المسائل» : رجل أهدى إلى إنسان أو أضافه إن كان غالب ماله من حرام لا ينبغي أن يقبل ويأكل من طعامه ما لم يخبر أن ذلك المال حلال استقرضه أو ورثه، وإن كان غالب ماله من حلال فلا بأس بأن يقبل ما لم يتبين له أن ذلك من الحرام؛ وهذا لأن أموال الناس لا تخلو عن قليل حرام وتخلو عن كثيره، فيعتبر الغالب ويبنى الحكم عليه

[2] Fatawa Hindiyya,Kitab Karhiyya,Vol 5,Pg 342

أَهْدَى إلَى رَجُلٍ شَيْئًا أَوْ أَضَافَهُ إنْ كَانَ غَالِبُ مَالِهِ مِنْ الْحَلَالِ فَلَا بَأْسَ إلَّا أَنْ يَعْلَمَ بِأَنَّهُ حَرَامٌ، فَإِنْ كَانَ الْغَالِبُ هُوَ الْحَرَامَ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ لَا يَقْبَلَ الْهَدِيَّةَ، وَلَا يَأْكُلَ الطَّعَامَ إلَّا أَنْ يُخْبِرَهُ بِأَنَّهُ حَلَالٌ وَرِثْتُهُ أَوْ اسْتَقْرَضْتُهُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ، كَذَا فِي الْيَنَابِيعِ.

[3] Fathul Bari,Chapter on Accepting Gifts from Mushrikeen,Vol 5,Pg 231,Hadith No. 2617

أَنَّ أُكَيْدِرَ دُومَةَ أَهْدَى لِلنَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثَوْبَ حَرِيرٍ فَأَعْطَاهُ عَلِيًّا فَقَالَ شَقِّقْهُ خُمُرًا بَيْنَ الْفَوَاطِمِ فَيُسْتَفَادُ مِنْهُ أَنَّ الْحُلَّةَ الَّتِي ذَكَرَهَا عَلِيٌّ فِي الْبَابِ الَّذِي قَبْلَهُ هِيَ هَذِهِ الَّتِي أَهْدَاهَا أُكَيْدِرٌ وَسَيَأْتِي الْمُرَادُ بِالْفَوَاطِمِ فِي اللِّبَاسِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ثَانِيهَا حَدِيثُ أَنَسٍ أَيْضًا أَنَّ يَهُودِيَّةً أَتَتِ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِشَاةٍ مَسْمُومَةٍ فَأَكَلَ مِنْهَا الْحَدِيثَ وَسَيَأْتِي شَرْحُهُ فِي غَزْوَةِ خَيْبَرَ مِنَ الْمَغَازِي وَاسْمُ الْيَهُودِيَّةِ الْمَذْكُورَةِ زَيْنَبُ وَقَدِ اخْتُلِفَ فِي إِسْلَامِهَا كَمَا سَيَأْتِي
قَوْلُهُ فَأَكَلَ مِنْهَا فَجِيءَ بِهَا زَادَ مُسْلِمٌ وَأَحْمَدُ فِي رِوَايَتِهِ مِنَ الْوَجْهِ الْمَذْكُورِ هُنَا فَأَكَلَ مِنْهُ 

23^rd January 2020

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: I am a 38 year old woman and been married for two years but not been able to conceive in that time. After undergoing medical investigations/treatment, doctors have advised me that I am not able to conceive due to a lack of eggs and that the only option would be egg donation, which would be from Spain.  My query is, is egg donation allowed under any circumstances in Islam?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to your query, Islām is very strict concerning procuring a third-party’s semen or an egg for childbirth. As a point of principle, it is only the husband who has the right to inseminate his wife’s egg and similarly, the wife to receive her husband’s semen to fertilise her egg. This is so to prevent a third-party’s semen (or an egg) from mixing with the couple’s egg or semen. [1] There is a prophetic narration wherein the Messenger of Allāh sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “It is not permissible for a man who believes in Allāh and the last day to irrigate his water (inseminate) in tillage other than his own.”[2] Although this statement was made in a particular context, its application is generic which means that it is not permissible for the husband to implant his semen into another woman’s egg other than his wife’s egg. Implanting his semen in an anonymous egg received from Spain falls under this remit of prohibition as he is irrigating his semen in an egg other than his own wife’s egg. Therefore, it is not permissible to receive an egg donation to conceive a child.

As a recommendation, as Muslims, we must ultimately place our trust in Allāh Almighty and continue supplicating to Him as He is the One who bestows His creation with children. Nothing falls outside of His control and power. I would recommend the following Dua to you.

رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ

Trans: O My Lord! Bestow upon me pure offsprings (children) from you. Verily You are the All-Hearer of supplication. (3:38)

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written and researched by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Sarakhsi, al-Mabsoot, vol 13 p. 146

[بَاب الِاسْتِبْرَاءِ]

وَالْحِكْمَةُ فِي ذَلِكَ تَعَرُّفُ بَرَاءَةِ الرَّحِمِ وَصِيَانَةُ مَاءِ نَفْسِهِ عَنْ الْخَلْطِ بِمَاءِ غَيْرِهِ وَالتَّحَرُّزُ عَنْ أَنْ يَصِيرَ مَاؤُهُ سَاقِيًا زَرْعَ غَيْرِهِ وَلَكِنَّ الْحُكْمَ يَثْبُتُ بِثُبُوتِ عِلَّتِهِ

Kasān, Badā’i Sanāi, Kitāb al-Istihsan, vol 5 p. 120

[كِتَابُ الِاسْتِحْسَانِ]

وَالْأَصْلُ فِيهِ مَا رُوِيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – أَنَّهُ «قَالَ فِي سَبَايَا أَوْطَاسٍ أَلَا لَا تُوطَأُ الْحَبَالَى حَتَّى يَضَعْنَ وَلَا الْحَيَالَى حَتَّى يُسْتَبْرَأْنَ بِحَيْضَةٍ» وَلِأَنَّ فِيهِ خَوْفَ اخْتِلَاطِ الْمِيَاهِ وَقَدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – «مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاَللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يَسْقِيَنَّ مَاءَهُ زَرْعَ غَيْرِهِ» وَكَذَا فِيهِ وَهُمْ ظُهُورُ الْحَبَلِ بِهَا فَيَدَّعِيه وَيَسْتَحِقُّهَا فَيَتَبَيَّنُ أَنَّهُ يَسْتَمْتِعُ بِمِلْكِ الْغَيْرِ.

[2] Abu Dawood, No: 2158

بَابٌ فِي وَطْءِ السَّبَايَا

حَدَّثَنَا النُّفَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، حَدَّثَنِي يَزِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي حَبِيبٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مَرْزُوقٍ، عَنْ حَنَشٍ الصَّنْعَانِيِّ، عَنْ رُوَيْفِعِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ، قَالَ: قَامَ فِينَا خَطِيبًا، قَالَ: أَمَا إِنِّي لَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ إِلَّا مَا سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: يَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ، قَالَ: «لَا يَحِلُّ لِامْرِئٍ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أَنْ يَسْقِيَ مَاءَهُ زَرْعَ غَيْرِهِ» – يَعْنِي: إِتْيَانَ الْحَبَالَى – «وَلَا يَحِلُّ لِامْرِئٍ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ مِنَ السَّبْيِ حَتَّى يَسْتَبْرِئَهَا، وَلَا يَحِلُّ لِامْرِئٍ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أَنْ يَبِيعَ مَغْنَمًا حَتَّى يُقْسَمَ».

Ibn Battal’s commentary of Saheeh al-Bukhari, vol 6 p. 358

بَاب هَلْ يُسَافِرُ بِالْجَارِيَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْتَبْرِئَهَا

ومعلوم أن من سنته أن الحائل لا توطأ حتى تحيض حيضة؛ خشية أن تكون حاملاً، وأن الحامل لا توطأ حتى تضع؛ لئلا يسقى ماءه زرع غيره، فلما كان الاستبراء أمانة ارتفعت فيه الحكومة، وفى هذا حجة لمن لم يوجب المواضعة على البائع، وهو قول جماعة فقهاء الأمصار غير ربيعة ومالك بن أنس، فإنهما أوجبا المواضعة فى الجوارى المرتفعات المتخذات للوطء خاصة،

15^th July 2019

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question:  The Hadith prohibiting tattoos specifies women and not men. What is the evidence to suggest that tattoos are impermissible for men?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to your query the prohibition of tattoos in Islām is the same for both men and women. There is a hadith reported from Sayyidunā Abū Hurairah radhiyallahu anhu that the Messenger of Allāh sallallahu alayhi wasallam forbade tattooing with specifying women.[1] The gender specificity here was because in those days, this practice was more common amongst women than men. This ruling applies to all permanent tattoos made on the body via needles and ink. As a point of principle, where there exists a common underlying cause (illa), the ruling applies generically. [2] Now since the application of tattoos is a painful process, putting oneself in unnecessary pain is not allowed in Islām for anyone be it male or female.

Moreover, its prohibition lies in that fact that tattooing results in changing the natural creation of Allāh Almighty.[3] As this same reasoning is present when men get tattooed, the ruling of prohibition applies to them also. [4]

[Allāh Knows Best]

Written by:  Maulana Anas Mullah       Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed

Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Imam Bukhari, Kitab Al-Libaas, Baab Al – washimaat, vol 7, pg 166,

حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «العَيْنُ حَقٌّ» وَنَهَى عَنِ الوَشْمِ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ بَشَّارٍ: حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ: حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ: ذَكَرْتُ لِعَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَابِسٍ، حَدِيثَ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، فَقَالَ: سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ أُمِّ يَعْقُوبَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، مِثْلَ حَدِيثِ مَنْصُورٍ

[2] Usool al-shashi,Fasl fi Mutaliqaat Al-nusoos, pg 104

وَأما دلَالَة النَّص فَهِيَ مَا علم عِلّة للْحكم الْمَنْصُوص عَلَيْهِ لُغَة لَا اجْتِهَادًا وَلَا استنباطاوَحكم هَذَا النَّوْع عُمُوم الحكم الْمَنْصُوص عَلَيْهِ لعُمُوم علته

ثمَّ دلَالَة النَّص بِمَنْزِلَة النَّص حَتَّى صَحَّ إِثْبَات الْعقُوبَة بِدلَالَة النَّص

[3] Qari, Mulla Ali, Miraqaat al Mafaatih, Kitaab Al libaas, vol 8, p227, Dar al Kotob al Ilmiyyah

والنهي عن ألوشر والوشم لما فيهما من تغيير خلق الله ذكره القاضي وغيره من الشراح

[4] Asqalani, Ibn Hajar,Fathul Bari, Kitab Al Libas, vol 10 p372

قَوْلُهُ لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الْوَاشِمَاتِ جَمْعُ وَاشِمَةٍ بِالشِّينِ الْمُعْجَمَةِ وَهِيَ الَّتِي تَشِمُ وَالْمُسْتَوْشِمَاتِ جَمْعُ مُسْتَوْشِمَةٍ وَهِيَ الَّتِي تَطْلُبُ الوشم وَنقل بن التَّيْنِ عَنِ الدَّاوُدِيِّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ الْوَاشِمَةُ الَّتِي يُفْعَلُ بِهَا الْوَشْمُ وَالْمُسْتَوْشِمَةُ الَّتِي تَفْعَلُهُ وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ وَسَيَأْتِي بَعْدَ بَابَيْنِ مِنْ وَجْهٍ آخَرَ عَنِ مَنْصُورٍ بِلَفْظِ الْمُسْتَوْشِمَاتِ وَهُوَ بِكَسْرِ الشِّينِ الَّتِي تَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ وَبِفَتْحِهَا الَّتِي تَطْلُبُ ذَلِكَ وَلِمُسْلِمٍ مِنْ طَرِيقِ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ مُهَلْهَلٍ عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ وَالْمَوْشُومَاتِ وَهِيَ مَنْ يُفْعَلُ بِهَا الْوَشْمُ قَالَ أَهْلُ اللُّغَةِ الْوَشْمُ بِفَتْحٍ ثُمَّ سُكُونٍ أَنْ يُغْرَزَ فِي الْعُضْوِ إِبْرَةٌ أَوْ نَحْوُهَا حَتَّى يَسِيلَ الدَّمُ ثُمَّ يُحْشَى بِنَوْرَةٍ أَوْ غَيْرِهَا فَيَخْضَرُّ وَقَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ فِي السُّنَنِ الْوَاشِمَةُ الَّتِي تَجْعَلُ الْخِيلَانَ فِي وَجْهِهَا بِكُحْلٍ أَوْ مِدَادٍ وَالْمُسْتَوْشِمَةُ الْمَعْمُولُ بِهَا انْتَهَى وَذُكِرَ الْوَجْهُ لِلْغَالِبِ وَأَكْثَرُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي الشَّفَةِ وَسَيَأْتِي عَنْ نَافِعٍ فِي آخِرِ الْبَابِ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ أَنَّهُ يَكُونُ فِي اللِّثَةِ فَذِكْرُ الْوَجْهَ لَيْسَ قَيْدًا وَقَدْ يَكُونُ فِي الْيَدِ وَغَيْرِهَا مِنَ الْجَسَدِ وَقَدْ يُفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ نَقْشًا وَقَدْ يُجْعَلُ دَوَائِرَ وَقَدْ يُكْتَبُ اسْمُ الْمَحْبُوبِ وَتَعَاطِيهِ حَرَامٌ بِدَلَالَةِ اللَّعْنِ كَمَا فِي حَدِيثِ الْبَابِ وَيَصِيرُ الْمَوْضِعُ الْمَوْشُومُ نَجِسًا لِأَنَّ الدَّمَ انْحَبَسَ فِيهِ فَتَجِبُ إِزَالَتُهُ إِنْ أَمْكَنَتْ وَلَوْ بِالْجَرْحِ إِلَّا إِنْ خَافَ مِنْهُ تَلَفًا أَوْ شَيْنًا أَوْ فَوَاتَ مَنْفَعَةِ عُضْوٍ فَيَجُوزُ إِبْقَاؤُهُ وَتَكْفِي التَّوْبَةُ فِي سُقُوطِ الْإِثْمِ وَيَسْتَوِي فِي ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلُ وَالْمَرْأَةُ

                    13^th July 2018

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: Is it permissible to drink cough medicine containing ethanol alcohol? Is the ruling the same if found in other products like cosmetic products and so on?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

The key issue to your query is the legal status of using ethanol alcohol. Ethanol (or Ethyl) is produced from the process of fermentation, which is the chemical breakdown of sugar by yeast. Its derivative sources are mostly fruits and vegetation products, commonly used for recreational purposes. Ethanol can be found in variety of sources such as medicinal applications, chemical solvents, anti-septic, household cleaning and cosmetic products and potentially in certain foods and drinks.  It is the key ingredient for all alcohol beverages, giving all alcohols its intoxicating effect. Ethanol is an intoxicating agent and albeit it is present in certain food (such as vanilla extract) and drinks as an additive and medicine such as cough medicine relatively in small quantity, it still holds its intoxicating properties. Its purpose as a food additive is to enhance the flavour of food extracts whilst in medicine, it is there to preserve the product.  When ethanol is denatured – adding substances such as gasoline after it is separated from water – it loses its intoxicating properties and no longer fit for consumption due to its toxic nature. It is this denatured ethanol that is used in fuel, antiseptic, solvents and cosmetic products.[1]

From the Islamic Shar’ee perspective, ethanol is not impure so long as it isn’t derived from grapes, dates and raisins. It is however intoxicating in nature (this is before it is denatured) and to consume anything intoxicating is prohibited due to the prophetic tradition, all intoxicating products are harām. On the basis of this, any food, drink, or medicine containing ethanol as an additive will not be permissible to consume. If it is known that source of ethanol is from grapes, dates or raisins then it is rendered impure and hence, not permissible. Consuming it for medicinal purpose is only permitted if the illness is unbearable, no alternative medicine exists and as advised by a reliable doctor; a Muslim or the one who respects Muslim values at the least.  All non-consumable products such as antiseptic, solvents and cosmetic ones that contain denatured ethanol are permissible to use as they are not considered impure due to the chemical process and non-derivatives of grapes, dates and raisins.

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Some useful links for further information on ethanol

https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/ethanol/

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-ethanol-formula-structure-uses.html

http://www.gm-bg.com/eng/products/food_drink

https://healthfully.com/cold-medicines-contain-alcohol-5554043.html

25^th November 2017

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: In the Hanafi madhab is permissible to engage in sports to pass time, or for leisure? Providing the satr is covered, deeni responsibilities are fulfilled, and it’s not paid for money?  “Every game a person plays is futile except for archery, training one’s horse and playing with one’s wife.” (Sunan Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Ibn Majah)

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to your query, there are various types of games with each one having specific rulings. There are permitted forms of games as well as prohibited forms. Prohibited games are those that either Islam clearly forbidden e.g. modern-day gambling machines, chess (according to the Hanafi Madhab only) or those games that intrinsically corrupt the spiritual heart. Those games that Islam does not clearly forbid nor intrinsically corrupt the spiritual heart are all permitted provided that they do not cause one neglectful of Allāh’s remembrance and obligations towards Him such as Salāh, do not involve imitation of other nations in those practices which the Shari’ah clearly forbids, doesn’t involve nor display what the Shari’ah prohibits to look at and nor are they generally detrimental to one’s physical and mental well being. Such games must be of those that procure physical and mental benefit for the individual. As for the Hadeeth you mentioned, it is not to rule out other games besides them as Harām (if the above conditions are complied with) but to guarantee that these activities outlined in the Hadeeth are beneficial, productive and rewarding with the right intention.

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

28th April 2017

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: Is it permissible to feed your pet cat meat slaughtered unislamaically, for instance Whiskas chicken, meat or rabbit.

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to your query, the key point to note is that pets must be given food that is pure. Meat; Halāl or non- Halāl, must be slaughtered correctly regardless if Allāh’s name is mentioned or not. The correct method of slaughtering is to sever the four main arteries; the gullet, windpipe and the two jugular veins, drains out the impurity; blood, from an animal. This enables the impure blood in the animal to be drained out. When this is done then the scholars state that the animal’s flesh, bones and skin of a Halāl and a non- Halāl animal becomes tahir (pure) and permissible but only animals can consume such flesh otherwise we as Muslims can only consume Halāl animals that are slaughtered on Allāh’s name. Pure meat Halāl or non- Halāl can be used for purposes other than eating such as feeding cats or dogs.[1] Most of the time the meat found in such packets in stores are not slaughtered according to the above method rendering the meat still impure and a maitah (carrion meat) which is prohibited even to feed other animals.[2]

Therefore, unless it is established that the meat is slaughtered according to the above method, you must abstain from purchasing prepacked cat food containing meat from stores. There are other alternative foods which you could feed your cat with such as fish, vegetarian food or even Halāl pieces of chicken and meat purchased from local Muslim stores.[3]

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Ibn Ābideen Shāmi, Kitāb al-Dhabā’ih p.446 vol 9

(وَذَبْحُ مَا لَا يُؤْكَلُ يُطَهِّرُ لَحْمَهُ وَشَحْمَهُ وَجِلْدَهُ) تَقَدَّمَ فِي الطَّهَارَةِ تَرْجِيحُ خِلَافِهِ (إلَّا الْآدَمِيَّ وَالْخِنْزِيرَ) كَمَا مَرَّ

(قَوْلُهُ وَذَبْحُ مَا لَا يُؤْكَلُ) يَعْنِي ذَكَاتُهُ لِمَا فِي الدُّرَرِ وَبِالصَّيْدِ يَطْهُرُ لَحْمٌ غَيْرُ نَجِسِ الْعَيْنِ لِأَنَّهُ ذَكَاةٌ حُكْمًا (قَوْلُهُ يَطْهُرُ لَحْمُهُ وَشَحْمُهُ وَجِلْدُهُ) حَتَّى لَوْ وَقَعَ فِي الْمَاءِ الْقَلِيلِ لَا يُفْسِدُهُ، وَهَلْ يَجُوزُ الِانْتِفَاعُ بِهِ فِي غَيْرِ الْأَكْلِ؟ لَا يَجُوزُ اعْتِبَارًا بِالْأَكْلِ، وَقِيلَ يَجُوزُ كَالزَّيْتِ إذَا خَالَطَهُ وَدَكُ الْمَيْتَةِ وَالزَّيْتُ غَالِبٌ لَا يُؤْكَلُ وَيُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ فِي غَيْرِ الْأَكْلِ هِدَايَةٌ

Mujma al-Anhar, p. 108  vol 2 – Maktab Shamila

وَفِي التَّنْجِيسِ أَنَّ الْمُخْتَارَ لِلْفَتْوَى جَوَازُ بَيْعِ لَحْمِ الْمَذْبُوحِ مِنْ السِّبَاعِ، وَكَذَا الْكَلْبُ وَالْحِمَارُ لِأَنَّهُ طَاهِرٌ وَيُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ فِي إطْعَامِ سِنَّوْرَةٍ، بِخِلَافِ الْخِنْزِيرِ الْمَذْبُوحِ لِأَنَّهُ نَجِسُ الْعَيْنِ، وَفِي التَّخْصِيصِ إشْعَارٌ بِعَدَمِ جَوَازِ هَوَامِّ الْأَرْضِ كَالْحَيَّةِ وَالْعَقْرَبِ وَدَوَابِّ الْبَحْرِ غَيْرَ السَّمَكِ كَالضِّفْدَعِ وَالسَّرَطَانِ

[2] Fatāwa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Karāhiyyah  p. 441 vol 5

[الْبَاب الْحَادِي وَالْعُشْرُونَ فِيمَا يسع مِنْ جِرَاحَات بَنِي آدَم وَالْحَيَوَانَات]

رَجُلٌ ذَبَحَ كَلْبَهُ أَوْ حِمَارَهُ جَازَ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ سِنَّوْرَهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يُطْعِمَهُ خِنْزِيرَهُ أَوْ شَيْئًا مِنْ الْمَيْتَةِ كَذَا فِي السِّرَاجِيَّةِ.

Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Karāhiyyah, p. 423 vol 5

[الْبَابُ الثَّانِي عَشَرَ فِي الْهَدَايَا وَالضِّيَافَاتِ]

وَلَا يَجُوزُ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ الْمَجْنُونَ الْمَيْتَةَ بِخِلَافِ الْهِرَّةِ، وَإِذَا تَنَجَّسَ الْخُبْزُ أَوْ الطَّعَامُ لَا يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ الصَّغِيرَ أَوْ الْمَعْتُوهَ أَوْ الْحَيَوَانَ الْمَأْكُولَ اللَّحْمِ، وَقَالَ أَصْحَابُنَا: لَا يَجُوزُ الِانْتِفَاعُ بِالْمَيْتَةِ عَلَى أَيِّ وَجْهٍ، وَلَا يُطْعِمُهَا الْكِلَابَ وَالْجَوَارِحَ، كَذَا فِي الْقُنْيَةِ.

[3] Some scholars have suggested an alternative that if someone placed the impure meat somewhere and drove the animal to it and consumed it at its own discretion then it is permissible. See below Ibn Ābideen Shāmi, Kitāb al-Ashribah, p.449 vol 6 – Shamila

(وَحَرُمَ الِانْتِفَاعُ بِهَا) وَلَوْ لِسَقْيِ دَوَابَّ أَوْ لِطِينٍ أَوْ نَظَرٍ لِلتَّلَهِّي، أَوْ دَوَاءٍ أَوْ دُهْنٍ أَوْ طَعَامٍ أَوْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ إلَّا لِتَخْلِيلٍ أَوْ لِخَوْفِ عَطَشٍ بِقَدْرِ الضَّرُورَةِ فَلَوْ زَادَ فَسَكِرَ حُدَّ مُجْتَبَى

(قَوْلُهُ وَلَوْ لِسَقْيِ دَوَابَّ) قَالَ بَعْضُ الْمَشَايِخِ لَوْ قَادَ الدَّابَّةَ إلَى الْخَمْرِ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ، وَلَوْ نَقَلَ إلَى الدَّابَّةِ يُكْرَهُ وَكَذَا قَالُوا فِيمَنْ أَرَادَ تَخْلِيلَ الْخَمْرِ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَحْمِلَ الْخَلَّ إلَى الْخَمْرِ وَلَوْ عَكَسَ يُكْرَهُ وَهُوَ الصَّحِيحُ  تَارْخَانِيَّةٌ

24^th April 2017

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: Could you please clarify if cochineal is permitted as it colours food such as yogurts pink or red and certain lipsticks.

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

Cochineal is a bug extract found in a variety of foods such as yogurts, ice-creams, most dairy based drinks, candy, chewing gums, jams. It is also found in many beauty products as well like lipsticks, nail polishes and eye-shadows. Presumably, it is the cochineal insect that gives the red (or pink) colouring. These bugs are collected from cactus plants, either dead or alive, crushed into powder and then added as a colouring agent in the aforementioned products. They are identified on the ingredient label with various names such as cochineal extract, carmine, crimson lake, natural red 4, C.I. 75470, E120, or even ‘natural colouring’.[1] It is the cochineal blood which gives it its red colouring. From the Shar’ee perspective, cochineal insect is treated as impure (najis) like all other insects [with the exception of locust which a Hadeeth permits too consume] which the Shari’ah prohibits its usage altogether. So, anything that contains cochineal bugs extract is unlawful to consume or apply externally due to its impurity.[2]

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] http://blog.hmns.org/2012/11/color-me-carmine-cochineal-bugs-in-our-food-and-drink/

http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/bugjuice.asp

[2] Fatawa Hindiyyah Kitāb al-Dhaba’ih, Bāb p. 289 vol 5

[الْبَاب الثَّانِي فِي بَيَان مَا يُؤْكَلُ مِنْ الْحَيَوَانِ وَمَا لَا يُؤْكَلُ]

أَمَّا الَّذِي يَعِيشُ فِي الْبَرِّ فَأَنْوَاعٌ ثَلَاثَةٌ: مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ دَمٌ أَصْلًا وَمَا لَيْسَ لَهُ دَمٌ سَائِلٌ وَمَا لَهُ دَمٌ سَائِلٌ، فَمَا لَا دَمَ لَهُ مِثْلُ الْجَرَادِ وَالزُّنْبُورِ وَالذُّبَابِ وَالْعَنْكَبُوتِ وَالْخُنْفُسَاءِ وَالْعَقْرَبِ وَالْبَبْغَاءِ وَنَحْوِهَا لَا يَحِلُّ أَكْلُهُ إلَّا الْجَرَادُ خَاصَّةً، وَكَذَلِكَ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ دَمٌ سَائِلٌ مِثْلُ الْحَيَّةِ وَالْوَزَغِ وَسَامٍّ أَبْرَصَ وَجَمِيعِ الْحَشَرَاتِ

The Qur’anic verse, “he permits for them the pure things and forbids them from the impure (khaba’ith)” (7:157) further supports the impermissibility of consuming bugs and insects due to their impurity. This will by default include cochineal insects as well.

16^th August 2016

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: What is the Islamic ruling regarding a person working in care home looking after the old which also requires cleaning their privates? Is it permissible or does one need to look for an alternative job?  

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

From the Islamic legal perspective, the person in question is not required to look for an alternative job. Working in care homes in looking after the old and sick people is a rewardable act in Islām. The question of cleaning their private area during their care is inevitable. As this is part of the job when working in care homes, it would be permissible as a necessity based on the rule that necessity permit prohibited acts.[1] The jurists have permitted a doctor to view the private area of a man or woman during surgical operation as a necessity. This is also applicable to cleaning the private area in the sense that both cases require tending to remove unwanted substance or harm, namely filth in this case which is a fundamental requirement in Islām for ones Ibādāt (worships) to be accepted. Islam allows exposure of the private area for this reason otherwise in normal circumstances it disallows it. As the rule of necessity applies, the following conditions must be met;[2]

1. Only that area should be exposed which is necessary. Seeing or exposing anything beyond the required area is not allowed because necessity is restricted only to its required perimeter.
2. Carers of the same gender as the patient should clean the private area. In other words, female carers should clean female patients and male patients should tend to male patients. This is because in the case of necessity, exposure of the private area to the same gender is considered a lesser degree harm than that of the opposite gender. Should this be near impossible for instance, carers are not allocated to one specific patient and due to the nature of the job, the time schedule varies as carers are rotated between different patients then as a last resort the carer can clean the private area of the opposite gender. But caution must be taken that carers do not look at the private parts of the patients unnecessarily. This also goes for female carer cleaning male patient also.

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Kasāni, Badā’i Sanā’i, Kitābul Istihsān, vol 6, p. 499

لِأَنَّ الْحُرُمَاتِ الشَّرْعِيَّةَ جَازَ أَنْ يَسْقُطَ اعْتِبَارُهَا شَرْعًا لِمَكَانِ الضَّرُورَةِ كَحُرْمَةِ الْمَيِّتَةِ وَشُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ حَالَةَ الْمَخْمَصَةِ وَالْإِكْرَاهِ لَكِنَّ الثَّابِتَ بِالضَّرُورَةِ لَا يَعْدُو مَوْضِعَ الضَّرُورَةِ لِأَنَّ عِلَّةَ ثُبُوتِهَا الضَّرُورَةُ وَالْحُكْمُ لَا يَزِيدُ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْعِلَّةِ هَذَا الَّذِي ذَكَرْنَا حُكْمُ النَّظَرِ وَالْمَسِّ

[2] Durrul Mukhtār wa Ibn Ābideen as-Shāmi, Kitābul Al-Hazr wal Ibāhat-Fasl Fin Nazr wal Lums, vol 9 p. 532-3

وَشِرَائِهَا وَمُدَاوَاتِهَا يَنْظُرُ) الطَّبِيبُ (إلَى مَوْضِعِ مَرَضِهَا بِقَدْرِ الضَّرُورَةِ) إذْ الضَّرُورَاتُ تَتَقَدَّرُ بِقَدْرِهَا)

وَقَالَ فِي الْجَوْهَرَةِ: إذَا كَانَ الْمَرَضُ فِي سَائِرِ بَدَنِهَا غَيْرَ الْفَرْجِ يَجُوزُ النَّظَرُ إلَيْهِ عِنْدَ الدَّوَاءِ، لِأَنَّهُ مَوْضِعُ ضَرُورَةٍ، وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي مَوْضِعِ الْفَرْجِ، فَيَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُعَلِّمَ امْرَأَةً تُدَاوِيهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ تُوجَدْ وَخَافُوا عَلَيْهَا أَنْ تَهْلِكَ أَوْ يُصِيبَهَا وَجَعٌ لَا تَحْتَمِلُهُ يَسْتُرُوا مِنْهَا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ إلَّا مَوْضِعَ الْعِلَّةِ ثُمَّ يُدَاوِيهَا الرَّجُلُ وَيَغُضُّ بَصَرَهُ مَا اسْتَطَاعَ إلَّا عَنْ مَوْضِعِ الْجُرْحِ

Ibn Nujaim, Bahr Raiq, Kitābul Karahiyyah-Fasl Fin Nazr wal Lums, vol 8 p. 353

وَالطَّبِيبُ إنَّمَا يَجُوزُ لَهُ ذَلِكَ إذَا لَمْ يُوجَدْ امْرَأَةٌ طَبِيبَةٌ فَلَوْ وُجِدَتْ فَلَا يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ لِأَنَّ نَظَرَ الْجِنْسِ إلَى الْجِنْسِ أَخَفُّ وَيَنْبَغِي لِلطَّبِيبِ أَنْ يُعَلِّمَ امْرَأَةً إنْ أَمْكَنَ وَإِنْ لَمْ يُمْكِنْ سَتَرَ كُلَّ عُضْوٍ مِنْهَا سِوَى مَوْضِعِ الْوَجَعِ ثُمَّ يَنْظُرُ وَيَغُضُّ بِبَصَرِهِ عَنْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ الْمَوْضِعِ إنْ اسْتَطَاعَ لِأَنَّ مَا ثَبَتَ لِلضَّرُورَةِ يَتَقَدَّرُ بِقَدْرِهَا