Jamiatul Ulama KZN Council of Muslim Theologians
Nasihah (Advice): Alcohol – The Accursed Drink
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar radiyallahu anhuma reported that Rasulullah Sallahu Alaihi Wassallam said, “Allah has cursed alcohol, the one who drinks it, the one who pours it, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one who squeezes (the grapes etc.), the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who carries it and the one to whom it is carried.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)
_____________________________________
Question and Answer:
- Recently, a post has been circulating declaring certain biscuits as Haraam due to them containing minute amounts of synthetic alcohol. We have consumed the said biscuits for many years and they are Halaal-certified as well. Kindly clarify whether the synthetic alcohol renders the biscuits Haraam.
- A. As per the Hanafi Mazhab, alcohols are divided into 2 types: Khamr and non-Khamr.
Khamr is alcohol derived from dates and grapes while non-Khamr is alcohol derived from other substances. The ruling regarding Khamr is that it is impure and Haraam, regardless of the amount and whether it intoxicates or not.
The ruling of non-Khamr is that its use and consumption are permitted when used in non-intoxicating applications like perfume or medicine etc. It is Haraam when used in intoxicating applications like alcoholic beverages.
The trace alcohol content in the said biscuits is from non-Khamr alcohols which the post acknowledges as synthetic alcohol. Its consumption is therefore permitted as one cannot become intoxicated from its consumption and neither is it intended for the same. [Ahsanul Fatawa 8 : 489, Fataawa DU Zakariyyah 6 : 672]
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Moosa Salie
Mufti Taahir Hansa
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport
Durban, South Africa
Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099
Email: fatwa@jamiat.org.za
Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163
Website : www.jamiat.org.za
