When is a product prohibited for a Muslim to consume?
In general, all foods are considered halal for Muslims unless there is a specific text prohibiting them. The prohibitions mentioned in religious texts include dead meat (carrion), pork, spilled blood, and anything that has been dedicated to other than Allah. Egypt Vitamins is committed to providing products that align with Islamic law, carefully selecting supplements free from prohibited ingredients like pork-derived gelatin or other non-halal substances.
At Egypt Vitamins, we prioritize offering halal and safe products for our Muslim customers in Egypt and the Middle East. We continuously strive to ensure that our products meet the highest religious and health standards.
It came in the Quran, specifically Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3):
“ Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah…”
قال تعالي: {حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ …}
When is a Product Considered Halal?
A product is considered Halal if it is free from components that are clearly prohibited in Islam. For example, plant-based products that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients are free from dead animals, swine, and anything dedicated to other than Allah, making them Halal. Additionally, if a product is free from alcohol and other substances harmful to health, it is unequivocally Halal and does not require certification to be deemed permissible for Muslims.
In cases where there is scholarly disagreement about certain products, we adhere to the opinions of the Islamic Medical Fiqh Assembly, which comprises a group of trusted scholars, biologists, chemists, and religious jurists from various Islamic countries. These experts are capable of discerning the truth, weighing matters with a proper Islamic perspective that balances religious and scientific considerations.
Important Islamic Legal Concepts
1. Istihala (Transformation):
Istihala refers to the process by which a substance undergoes a chemical transformation, changing from one state to another. This transformation affects the substance’s original properties, such as color, taste, smell, and other characteristics, like its intoxicating effects. Islamic scholars have different opinions on the permissibility of products resulting from Istihala. Some scholars consider these products Haram (forbidden), while others regard them as Halal (permissible).
Example of Istihala:
- The conversion of wine into vinegar, where the vinegar no longer possesses the properties of wine, such as its color, smell, or intoxicating effect.
- The extraction of gelatin from animal fats, including pork, which results in a substance that no longer retains any of the original characteristics.
In simpler terms, a substance resulting from Istihala does not carry the ruling of the original material, as it no longer retains any of its original attributes.
2. Certainty Is Not Overturned by Doubt:
It is a well-established principle that what has been definitively declared Halal (permissible) cannot be considered Haram (forbidden) without equally definitive evidence. Doubt about a product’s permissibility does not automatically render it Haram; at most, it may be classified as Makruh (disliked). It is crucial to recognize that all foods are originally considered Halal unless a clear and definitive Islamic text indicates otherwise.
Key Principle:
- Wine, dead animals, blood, and pork have been explicitly prohibited by clear texts and are only permissible in cases of absolute necessity for a Muslim.
3. Necessity Permits the Forbidden:
Islamic law recognizes that necessity can make what is otherwise forbidden, permissible. Each case of necessity is evaluated based on its circumstances. For instance, a patient who would suffer severe harm or death without certain medical treatment is obligated to use that treatment, even if it involves substances that are generally considered Haram.
Examples of Necessity:
- Blood transfusions.
- The use of anesthesia in surgeries.
- The use of alcohol for sterilization purposes.
4. Hardship Brings Ease:
This principle is fundamental in Islamic jurisprudence. It states that when fulfilling a religious obligation becomes overly difficult or impossible, concessions (rukhsa) are allowed to ensure that the burden is not unbearable. This principle is applied in various situations where strict adherence to certain rules would result in undue hardship.
Examples of Ease in Practice:
- During urination, it is challenging to ensure that no trace of urine touches the clothes or skin. Given this difficulty, Islamic scholars provide leniency in such cases, as the religion does not impose undue hardship.
- The presence of minuscule amounts of forbidden substances, such as animal rennet in imported cheese, is tolerated under this principle.
How Do We Search for Halal Products?
Since we began importing supplements and vitamins from non-Muslim countries, we’ve been diligently searching for products that comply with Islamic law. Our search process is divided into several stages:
- Searching for 100% Plant-Based Halal Products:
We are among the first companies to import 100% plant-based products. Currently, more than 75% of our products are plant-based, free from animal ingredients, and free from any substances resulting from Istihala (transformation). - Searching for Products Free from Controversial Ingredients:
In cases where the product contains animal ingredients, we strive to ensure that it is free from any substances that are subject to scholarly disagreement. This approach is taken to clear ourselves and our customers from any doubts when using these products. - Searching for Products Approved by Scholarly Consensus:
We also consider products that have been approved by reputable Islamic scholarly bodies, such as the Islamic Fiqh Academy. These products can be used in cases of necessity or when no alternatives are available.
What Happens If a Product Is Found to Be Haram?
Despite our meticulous and continuous research, there may be instances where a product that is Haram (forbidden) for Muslims to consume reaches us. In such cases, it is also forbidden for us to sell it. We then dispose of the product and do not list it on our store due to the prohibition of its use and sale. Additionally, we take steps to ensure that we do not purchase that product again in the future.