What is the rule about using things like toothpaste, shampoo, and body moisturizers that have “animal glycerine” added to them? Mono-glyceride and di-glyceride are added to some types of bread. Is it the basic principle to check or ask about the source of these materials and see if they come from animals or plants? Is asking about these things seen as going too far? What should we say to people who say that the basic principle is that something is okay as long as it’s not mixed with something haram? Or what should we say to people who say that religion is easy and we shouldn’t go too far or ask too much?
(a) It either comes from animals that are okay to eat and were killed according to sharee’ah, or it comes from sea creatures that don’t need to be killed. The ruling in this case is that it is permissible, with no doubt.
b) Either it comes from an animal whose meat and fat are not allowed to be eaten, like a pig, or it comes from an animal that is allowed to be eaten but wasn’t killed properly, so it is “dead meat.” The ruling in both cases is that it is haram, with no doubt.
Any Muslim who knows for sure or thinks it’s likely that pig meat, fat, or ground bones have gotten into food, medicine, toothpaste, etc., is not allowed to eat, drink, or use it. Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.” So if he was not sure about it, he shouldn’t use it. ”.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah ibn Qa’ood.
The Islamic Medical Sciences Organization in Kuwait put out a statement about the issue of haram and impure substances in food and medicine from May 22nd to May 24th, 1995. The statement says:
[6. Some types of cheese, oils, fats, ghee, butter, and some types of cookies, chocolate, and ice cream contain pork fat that has not been changed in any way. These foods are haram, which means they are not allowed to be eaten at all. This is because most scholars agree that pork fat is not pure (naajis) and not allowed to be eaten, and there is no need to eat them. End quote.
For something to be halaal, the fat must have been changed into something else, so that it is no longer called fat and doesn’t behave like fat. If that is the case then it does not come under the same ruling. Scholars call this istihaalah, which means “to change something into something else.” It can be seen from two different points of view. What was once good and okay but is now bad and dirty is called haram, and what was once dirty and bad but is now good and okay is called halaal.
Based on this principle, alcohol is impure, even though its origin is pure. If the reason why it was thought to be impure is gone, it should be thought of as pure. This is the basis of sharee’ah and the basis of reward and punishment.
This means that the right comparison is that this rule may apply to all other impurities that have been through a process of change. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took the mushrikeen’s body parts away from where his mosque would be built, but he didn’t take the soil away. And Allah says of milk that it comes “from between excretions and blood” [al-Nahl 16:66]. Most Muslims agree that an animal’s milk and meat are okay after it eats something dirty but is then restrained and fed something clean. A similar thing happens with crops and fruits: if they are watered with dirty water and then with clean water, they are okay because the dirty thing changes and becomes clean. On the other hand, if something pure changes into something impure, it is no longer pure (naajis). For example, food that turns into urine and feces is no longer food. It changes when something good turns into something bad, but not when something bad turns into something good. And Allah creates pure things from impure things and impure things from pure things.
It is not the origin of a thing that matters, but what it is now. The ruling on impurity can’t stay in place if the thing’s name and nature have changed. It depends on whether the name and character are present or absent to know if the ruling is present or absent. These texts don’t talk about crops, fruits, sand, salt, soil, or vinegar, either in terms of what they say or how they make sense. They only talk about the ban on dead meat, blood, pork, and alcohol. Some people said that alcohol changes from naajis to pure through a process called “istihaalah.” Others said that alcohol changes from naajis to pure through a different process called “istihaalah.” They were told that blood, urine, and feces became dirty through a change process so that they could become clean through a different change process. Thus analogy is in accordance with the text.
The Islamic Medical Sciences Organization in Kuwait put out a statement about the issue of haram and impure substances in food and medicine from May 22nd to May 24th, 1995. The statement says:
[8. Istihaalah, which means “change,” means that something can turn into something else with different properties. For example, an impure substance can turn into a pure substance, and a haram substance can turn into one that is fine according to sharee’ah.
This process makes soap made from pig fat or dead meat pure, and it’s okay to use.
It is okay to eat cheese that is made with rennet from the dead meat of animals whose meat is allowed. This type of cheese is called taahir.
You can’t use ointments, creams, or cosmetics that contain pork fat unless you are sure that the fat has changed into something else. But if there is no certainty, then they are naajis (impure).
If it is not known if the animals whose meat is allowed but needs to be slaughtered correctly to become halaal were slaughtered according to sharee’ah or not, then they should not be used. This is because slaughtered meat is haram unless it is known to be halaal. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that people shouldn’t eat game meat that had drowned because they didn’t know if the animal had died while being hunted or by drowning. And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said it was wrong to eat game caught by a dog whose owner had let it go and praised Allah while doing so, but he had other dogs with him. That’s because he doesn’t know if his dog or one of the other dogs caught it.
Adiyy ibn Haatim (may Allah bless him) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Let your dog go and say the name of Allah. If he catches something for you and you find it alive, kill it. If you find that he has killed it but hasn’t eaten any of it, eat it.” If you find a dead dog with your own, don’t eat it because you don’t know which dog killed it. Shoot your arrow and say the name of Allah. The game will disappear for a day, and all that will be left is the mark of your arrow. If you find it alive, you can eat it, but if you find it dead, you shouldn’t. ”.
…the ruling stays in place unless there is proof to the contrary. For example, the ruling on tahaarah (purity), breaking wudoo, staying married, possession, and commitments all stay in place unless there is proof to the contrary. In a hadeeth about hunting, it says, “If you find it drowned, do not eat it, because you do not know whether the water killed it or your arrow.” Another hadeeth says, “But if there are other dogs with him, do not eat it, because you mentioned the name of Allah over your dog, not any other dog.” ”.
Since meat is generally considered to be haram and there is some uncertainty about whether the conditions for its legality were met, the game is still considered haram as it was at the start.
If the substance is man-made or comes from plants, it can be used in these products as long as it is not poisonous or harmful by itself or when mixed with other substances.
There is nothing wrong with lipstick because the basic rule is that anything is okay unless it is clear that it is forbidden. However, if it turns out to be bad for the lips because it dries them out, then it’s not allowed. I have been told that it may dry out the lips. If that is proven then one is not allowed to so something that will harm one.
The Muslim should be careful with regard to his food, drink, clothing and all matters in his life. He should be careful to make sure that his money is halaal and that the things he eats and drinks are things that the Lord has cleared for him. He should also be careful in every part of his life to make sure nothing goes against the Qur’an and Sunnah.
It is essential to distinguish between products that are used in daily life and meat. It is generally believed that the first two are okay unless there is proof to the contrary. On the other hand, Ibn al-Qayyim said that meat is generally considered to be haram unless there is proof to the contrary.
When the Standing Committee was asked about the pork fat in some toothpastes and soaps, they said:
People we trust have not told us that some cleaning products, like Camay and Palmolive soaps and Colgate toothpaste, contain pork fat. Rather we have only heard of that through rumours.
Second, these things should be considered taahir (pure), which means they are okay to use, unless it can be proven from a reliable source that they are mixed with pork fat or something else that isn’t pure and isn’t okay to use. In that case it is haram to use them. But if the news is just a rumor and hasn’t been proven, you don’t have to stay away from it.
Third, if someone knows for sure that the cleaning product contains pork fat, they should not use it and should wash off any residue it leaves on their skin. However, the prayers he said while he was using it do not need to be said again, according to the correct scholarly opinion.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah ibn Qa’ood.
A lot of people say that the processed cheese they sell has pork fat in it, but we have no proof that it does. It is generally okay to use something, but if someone is sure that it contains pork fat or thinks that this is most likely the case, they shouldn’t use it.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah ibn Qa’ood.
We have found some publications which say that some soap is made from pork fat. What is your opinion?.
I believe that the main idea is that everything that Allah made for us on earth is okay, since Allah says (my interpretation of the meaning):
If someone says something is haram because it is dirty or something, then he needs to show proof. But believing all kinds of lies and what people say doesn’t make sense. If he says that this soap is made of pork fat, we say to him, “Bring proof. “If it turns out to be mostly pork fat, we should stay away from it.”
Demystifying the Origins of Glycerin Is This Ubiquitous Ingredient Actually Made From Pork?
As an extremely common ingredient found in everything from skin creams to baked goods, glycerin pops up on countless product labels we encounter daily. But despite its widespread use, the origins of this versatile additive remain murky to many consumers. The big question is: does pork play a role in the production of glycerin?
For those avoiding pork for religious, ethical or health reasons, getting clear answers on whether this prevalent ingredient is derived from pigs is important. In this comprehensive look at glycerin production methods, we’ll find out if pork is indeed used to make this mystery substance.
What is Glycerin and Why is it So Popular?
Also known as glycerol, glycerin is a colorless, odorless liquid with a sweet taste. It acts as a humectant, meaning it attracts and locks in moisture extremely effectively. This makes it a phenomenal hydrating and softening agent.
Thanks to its emollient properties that help smooth and moisturize skin, along with its non-toxic nature and solubility in water, glycerin has countless applications across industries:
- Beauty and skincare products
- Hair care items
- Toothpastes and mouthwashes
- Foods and beverages
- Pharmaceuticals and supplements
- Soaps and household cleaners
- Candles and more
By allowing products to retain moisture, feel pleasant, and properly distribute or dissolve components, glycerin has become an extensively used workhorse ingredient. But what are the main sources it’s derived from?
Does Glycerin Come From Pork? Getting to the Source
Here’s an overview of the primary origins glycerin can come from and how it’s obtained:
Animal Sources
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Tallow from beef or mutton is a very common source, providing glycerin as a byproduct of soap production using these animal fats Pork fat is also sometimes used
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Other animal fats like poultry fat may also be used on occasion, while pork lard is a less common potential source.
Plant Sources
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Vegetable oils like soybean, palm and coconut are frequent sources with glycerin obtained via hydrolysis of these oils.
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Glycerin can also be sustainably derived from algae biomass rather than animals.
Synthetic Production
- Glycerin can be synthesized in a lab from chemicals like propene or propylene glycol, without any animal or plant oils.
Why Consumers Want to Avoid Pork-Based Ingredients
While small, here are some of the main motivations for avoiding pork-derived ingredients:
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Religious dietary restrictions in faiths like Islam and Judaism prohibit pork consumption completely.
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Vegetarians and vegans exclude consumption and use of animal products, including pork and pork-derived ingredients.
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Some make health choices to avoid pork and nitrates, or simply feel pork is less healthy than other meats.
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Ethical concerns around factory farming conditions also lead some to avoid pork-based substances.
For these individuals, clear labeling indicating whether glycerin is likely pork-derived or vegetarian-safe is very important when selecting which products to buy or use. They aim to make aligned personal choices based on their priorities.
Identifying Pork-Based Glycerin on Ingredient Labels
When checking if glycerin contains pork, look for the following label terminology:
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“Vegetable glycerin” signals origins from plant-based oils only, not animal sources like pork. Suitable for vegetarian, kosher and halal consumers.
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Glycerin listed without specifying it’s “vegetable” may come from animal sources, so pork can’t be ruled out.
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Terms like “animal fat”, “tallow” or “lard” indicate pork or other animal origins are possible.
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Contacting the manufacturer directly can help if sourcing details are unclear.
Accessible Alternatives to Ensure Pork-Free Glycerin
Thankfully, there are several accessible pork-free options for consumers who want to avoid animal-derived glycerin:
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Vegetable glycerin from plant oils like soy, coconut and palm offers a versatile substitute suitable for most uses.
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Synthetic glycerin made from propene or propylene alcohol, without any animal or plant oils.
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Sustainably sourced glycerin from algae biomass.
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Opting for certified vegetarian/vegan products ensures no animal-derived ingredients like pork glycerin.
With more transparency from manufacturers and ample suitable alternatives available today, avoiding questionable pork-based glycerin has become much simpler for conscientious consumers.
Most Common Questions About Glycerin Origins
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about where glycerin comes from:
Is glycerin used in foods made from pork?
Not usually. Glycerin in food products normally comes from vegetable oils to meet kosher and halal standards. But it can also come from pork fat, so vegetable-sourced glycerin is best for vegetarians.
What percentage of glycerin is pork-derived?
Most glycerin comes from beef tallow or plant oils. The percentage from pork is estimated to be quite small, though exact data is limited.
Can glycerin be produced without using animals at all?
Yes, through vegetable oils from plants or synthetic production from chemicals like propene. It can also be sourced sustainability from algae.
Is glycerin in cosmetics vegetarian or animal-based?
Glycerin in cosmetics can come from either plant or animal origins unless specified as “vegetable glycerin”. Consumers must check with manufacturers on sourcing details.
What labeling terms indicate pork-sourced glycerin?
“Lard”, “tallow”, “fat” and “bone char” suggest animal origins. “Vegetable glycerin” indicates plant-based sources only. Plain “glycerin” has uncertain origins.
The Bottom Line: Assessing Glycerin Sources
While glycerin can come from pork fat, this is uncommon compared to beef tallow and vegetable oil sources. Seeking products with “vegetable glycerin” or certified vegetarian/vegan assurances allows more mindful consumers to avoid questionable pork-based glycerin. Thankfully with greater transparency and more plant-based alternatives available today, it’s easier than ever to source ethical glycerin.
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Glycerin & Gelatin | Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem
FAQ
Does glycerin contain pork?
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