Posted by cemertugus > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

Just for your information, Muslim have guideline release by Majlis Fatwa. The Muzakarah of Fatwa Committee of National discussed regarding this issue.

Based on briefings, presentations and explanations presented by experts from the Halal Product Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia and taking into account the decisions that have been decided in the Muzakarah of Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia earlier, the Special Muzakarah of the National Council Fatwa Committee For Malaysia's Islamic Religious Affairs which deals with Alcohol Issues in Food, Drinks, Fragrances and Medicines on 14th to 16th July 2011 have agreed to decide as follows:
1) Each alcoholic beverage contains alcohol. However, not all alcohol is an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol obtained from the process of making alcoholic beverages is prohibited and najis (impure)

2) Whereas the alcohol produced through other processes than for making alcoholic beverages is not najis (impure) but prohibited (should not) to be consumed in its original form because it is poisonous and lethal.

3) Soft drinks that are processed or made not for the purpose of producing liquor and its alcohol content is under 1% v/v, then it is permissible to be consumed.

4) While for soft drinks made with the same intention and process of making liquor, whether it contains a lot or a little alcohol, or if its alcohol is distilled, it is prohibited to be consumed.

5) Food or drinks that naturally contain alcohol, for example, fruits, nuts or grains and its extract, or if the alcohol is produced as a by-product of the food or drink-making process is not najis (impure) and is permissible to be consumed.

6) Foods or drinks that contain added flavour or colouring that contains alcohol as a stabilizer is permissible if it is not produced from the process of making liquor and the alcohol percentage content in the final product is not more than 0.5%.

7) Medicines and fragrances that contain alcohol as its solvent is not najis (impure) and it is permissible if the alcohol is made not through the process of making liquor.

https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/irsyad-fatwa/irsyad-fatwa-umum-cat/3097-irsyad-al-fatwa-series-290-the-ruling-of-food-coloring-containing-20-alcohol

Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

Forget about human-made ruling. Islam clearly prohibits the consumption of intoxicants, particularly alcohol, regardless of the amount. Even if the alcohol content is minimal, the mere presence of alcohol in these foods contradicts halal principles. Hence, shouldn't any level of alcohol that results from fermentation, even if it doesn’t intoxicate, still invalidates the food’s halal status?

Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

Stick to The Principle of Caution (Ihtiyat): In Islamic law, there is a strong principle of avoiding doubtful matters (shubuhat). If there is any uncertainty about the alcohol content in these traditional foods, Muslims are encouraged to avoid them to maintain their adherence to halal dietary laws.

Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

Comparing to Contemporary Halal Certification Standards: Modern halal certification bodies take a stringent approach to the inclusion of alcohol in food products. For a food to be certified halal, it must not contain any alcohol.

Posted by cemertugus > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

Fatwa release/issue by majlis fatwa does not simplify "just human-made ruling", they (Fatwa Committee) are professional in their field to do research details and Quran and Hadis as reference. The fatwa will be guidelines for Muslim for more details.

Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

And yes, because these are man-made and arbitary - should change with time and technology

Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

That means, today, there are advanced scientific methods available to detect even trace amounts of alcohol in foods.

Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

Whether hi-tech testing for pig dna in chocolate or simple test tube testing for alcohol in tempoyak- the presence of either one is strictly prohibited by heaven, no? What u say are man-made human's excuse, no?

Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

Divine law as unwavering: From this viewpoint, the presence of even the smallest trace of a forbidden substance is enough to render a product impermissible, as religious law is seen as unwavering and not subject to human rationalization. Thus, while technology can help identify these substances more accurately, the fundamental issue is not technological capability but the underlying religious mandate to avoid what is forbidden.

Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

The idea that these rules come straight from the big boss upstairs pretty much makes any opposing opinions about as useful as a chocolate teapot. In this case, it’s all about sticking to the heavenly script, no shortcuts or modern-day workarounds. If anyone tries to wiggle in some flexible interpretation, it's basically just humans looking for a divine loophole to bend the rules!