Halal Issues

The forbiddness of Wine (Khamr)

One may notice that the arabic word «Khamr » ( wine, fermented drink) is derived from the verb" Khamara" which means hide , cover: The muslim woman's veil is also called «Khimar ». In the literal sense, the alcoholic drinks wrap the mind's reasoning, its clarity . Ibn Abbas asserts that the real evil of the alcoholic drinks is «the lost of religion».

Juducial decision regarding the presence of alcohol in food ingredients :

Following the discussion during the 8th juridico-medical conference of the Islamic Organisation of Medical Science held in Koweit, the following recommendations were set forward :

First recommandation

" It's not permitted to consume food products that contain even an insignificant percentage of alcohol, especially products found in abundance in western countries; such as chocolate and ice-cream together with some soft drinks in accordance with the juducial bearing which stipulates that any consumed substance resulting in drunkenness is forbidden regardless of its quantity; since there no juducial derogation concerning this matter".

Second recommandation :

Food products prepared with an insignificant percentage of alcohol serving as solvant in some ingredients that cannot be disolved in water (hydrosolubles) such as colorants. Stablisers and others are authorized since their use is required by major force in these products and also because the evaporation process result in the departing of almost the total amount of alcohol while preparing the food product".