Why do Some Halal Experts Say Alcohol Is Permissible in Food?
Understanding Alcohol in Islamic Law
In Islam, consuming intoxicants is clearly haram. However, scholars differ on whether all forms of alcohol in food products are impermissible, especially when the alcohol is used as a processing aid or flavour carrier and is no longer intoxicating or present in a noticeable amount.
Some halal experts accept that trace amounts of alcohol, particularly ethanol, used in manufacturing processes, such as in flavouring extracts or fermentation, do not render the final product haram, provided the alcohol is not added to cause intoxication, and it has either evaporated, transformed, or become negligible.
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Chemical Transformation and Istihlak
This permissibility frequently relies on two Islamic legal tenets. The first is istihalah (transformation), which means that a haram substance changes completely into a different substance and is no longer the same. The second is istihlak (dilution), which looks at whether the haram part is so small that the halal part takes over and the haram part has no effect.
For example, when alcohol is used to extract flavour from vanilla and then evaporates during processing, many scholars consider the final product halal, as it does not retain the intoxicating nature of the original alcohol.
Divergence Between Schools of Thought
The Hanafi school generally holds a stricter view and does not allow any form of alcohol derived from grapes or dates, even in small quantities. Other schools, such as the Maliki and Shafi’i, may be more flexible, especially if the alcohol is synthetic, industrially produced, or has lost its intoxicating properties.
These different rulings are why some halal certifiers will only accept ingredients that come from alcohol under strict conditions, while others will not accept them at all.
Allah Almighty states in the Noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 219:
‘They ask you (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) about intoxicants and gambling; say (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ): “In these (habits) is a great sin, and (potential superficial) benefits for mankind; but the (impact of) the sin is much greater than the (potential superficial) benefits of both of these acts”…’
This Verse shows that alcohol is harmful due to its intoxicating effect. If that effect is absent, some scholars argue, the ruling may differ accordingly.
Conclusion
Some halal experts say alcohol is permissible in food when it is present only in trace amounts, is not intoxicating, and does not serve a recreational purpose. These opinions are based on principles of transformation and dilution within Islamic law. Different schools and certifiers have different ideas, but the most important thing is whether the substance is still haram. Muslims should follow the advice of scholars and certifiers they trust, and they should do so with honesty and awareness.
