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.