Use of Gelatin in food and other products - An Islamic Perspective

All praise is for Allah and blessings be on Nabi Muhammad alihisalatowasalam.





Here is a short note on the use of Gelatin in food and other products of use:

Gelatin is a protein made from animal products.It is produced by partial hydrolysis of collagen extracted from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as domesticated cattle, chicken, pigs, and fish.Chemically and medically, gelatin is totally a different product than its source collagen, and has totally different properties.

Those products that are forbidden by Islamic law, does not retain their applicability when the basic characteristics by which the product is identified are changed.The knowledge that have come to the ulema through professionals in the particular field, they have come to the conclusion, that Gelatin does not retain the true characteristic of the collagen of its source and so there is margin for its use.However due to the differences in the specialist in this field, some ulema have labelled it a better option to avoid Gelatin from sources which are haram(forbidden), such as pig.

Keeping in mind the difference of Islamic Jurists on this issue, ulema have requested Muslim industrialists to make their products from completely halal products so there is no shadow of doubt in it.

Source: Islamic Fiqh Academy India

In the end I would quote a hadith:

On the authority of Abu Abdullah al-Nu’maan ibn Basheer (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say, ‘That which is lawful is clear, and that which is unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful [or ambiguous] matters about which not many people are knowledgeable. Thus, he who avoids these doubtful matters certainly clears himself in regard to his religion and honour. But he who falls into the doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like a shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Verily every king has a sanctuary and Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. In the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be sound, all of the body is sound and which, if it be diseased, all of the body is diseased. This part of the body is the heart.” (Recorded in Bukhari and Muslim).

HIV A.I.D.S and Marriage in Islam

All praise is for Allah and blessings be on RasulAllah salalahoalihiwasalm.

Following issues have been agreed upon by Ulema(authentic islamic scholars) regarding A.I.D.S:

1-If any A.I.D.S patient does not reveal his disease and marry a woman, she(the woman) has the right to fasakh* nikah(marriage agreement).

2-If after marriage, a man aquires A.I.D.S and it reaches a level where his symptoms get very worse, again, the woman has the right to fasakh nikah.

3-If an A.I.D.S patient become pregnant and according to qualified medical doctors her child would be affected by the disease for sure, the woman can be given permission to do abortion before life starts in a child ie. according to Islamic Jursiprudents as 140 days.

4-It is the responsibility of the person who has A.I.D.S to reveal his illness to his family and associates, also to use safety precautions for others.

5-If the A.I.D.S patient is not allowing his doctor to reveal his illness, but the Doctor belives that hiding his illness will cause harm to his family, friends or others who are associated with him, it is the responsibility of the doctor, to report to the Health Department and related persons.

6-A.I.D.S patients should not be left alone and neglected, and it is the duty of his family, friends and society to take care of him while taking precautions. including taking his care, medicines and treatment.

7-Children who have A.I.D.S should not be devoid of education and taking all precautions, arrangements should be made for their basic right to education.

8-It is better to avoid visiting areas where A.I.D.S is endemic, but if there is immense need, then there is an exception to this rule.

9-If an A.I.D.S patient intentionally tries to transmit his disease to a healthy person, this act is haram, gunah- e kabira( great sin),and this person will be liable to punishment by law.

Source : Islamic Fiqh India


* fasakh - This word is a term of fiqh(islamic jurisprudince) and should be discussed with a qualified scholar of Islam.All matters before taking any action should be dealt with an alim.This article is just for information purpose.

Cloning of Humans, Animal and Plants

All praise is for Allah and blessings be on Nabi Muhammad and his noble family.

Cloning is an evolving faculty, and extensive work is underway to clone different species,

In light of all the details and methodology of cloning, and the possibilities of its social and ethical

evils as a result, Human Cloning is Haram( Forbidden) in any case, whatsoever.


Cloning of Animals, Plants and all other non-human species, which could be beneficial for

humans,and that do not endanger human ethics,morals,body  and his religion, are allowed in Islam.


I appeal the authorities in muslim countries to make laws, so that our countries are not used as experimental grounds for any sort of research or trials on human cloning.

And Allah knows best.


The Fatwa has been taken from Islamic Fiqh Academy India
Further read on cloning , refer to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cloning/

Coming Soon - Organ Donation , Euthanasia , Cloning and Much Much More IA

With the Name of Allah, and the will of Allah, I will be writing on important topics such as Organ Donation, Euthanasia, Cloning , Disconnecting Ventilator , Medical Insurance, Marriage of an AIDS patient and much more.

All praise is for Allah, Ulema(Scholars) of Islam has done a great deal of work in this field.Its just that people are unaware of it.I will act as a bridge to pass this knowledge to layman of religion.

This guide will be very helpful for all professions, specially those related to medical field.

Please pray , that may Allah reward me for this work, amen.

Principle 2 - Islamic Medical Ethics believes Illness and Health is in God's Hand

The Holy Quran says:

"Who created me, and it is He Who guides me;

"Who gives me food and drink,

"And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me;

"Who will cause me to die, and then to life (again);

"And who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the day of 
Judgment  
   
(26:78-82)

Islam believes that God not only created this world but also He is sustaining the world.He is not only controlling major events but also minute events in the universe.Life ,death , illness and cure is all in His hands.

This dogma never means that we don’t go for treatment which is proved by the life of Messenger of Allah ,but I believe psychologist would understand the implication of believing in a super natural power.This belief boost a patients self confidence and fastens patients recovery. Moreover  a sense of not being alone saves the patient from depression which is the worst outcome of almost every chronic or severe illness.There are certainly many other benefits which are impossible to mention here.

Principle One - Islamic Medical Ethics believe in across the board service to Humanity

Quran says:

On that account We ordained for the Children of Isra`il that if any one killed a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed  the whole humanity: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole humanity. Then although there came to them Our messengers with clear (guidance), yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land. (5:32)

PRINCIPLE 1            SAVE A LIFE - SAVE HUMANITY   

Islam believes in serving humanity and saving lives based on humane values.No difference of cast, colour ,religion or ethnic background is taken into consideration.The only factor behind serving people is that they are all creation of One God and progeny of single parents, Adam and Eve.