Ethyl
Question :

There is an alcohol called Ethyl (also known as Ethanol) which is supposed to be in many normal drinks, by a percentage of around 0.05%. A beverage company has openly stated it on their website. The amount seems so small, and I am sure in essence it changes and doesn’t remain in its original form. I would like your view if those drinks with ethyl are permissible or not?

Answer :

Every liquid that can cause intoxication naturally is najis, and is prohibited to consume. If alcohol is added to a drink, even in such a minute amount, it is prohibited to consume.

Ethanol in Everything
Question :

Ethanol is found in almost everything we eat, from bread to fruits. Is it permissible to consume these things that contain Ethanol?

Answer :

It is permissible to consume bread and fruits and similar food items even if ethanol exists in them in a very small percentage, since it does not cause intoxication.

Vanilla Extract
Question :

Vanilla Extract includes Ethyl Alcohol within it, to extract the flavor from the Vanilla pods. Is it permissible to consume Vanilla Extract with Ethyl Alcohol as Ayatollah Saeed al Hakeem ruled that we are not allowed to drink or consume anything when Ethanol is mixed?

Answer :

If the substance naturally contains a very small percentage of alcohol in such a way that if consumed it does not cause intoxication, then it is permissible to consume.

Vinegar
Question :

Is it permissible to consume vinegar?

Answer :

Vinegar is permissible to consume as it does not contain alcohol.

Chicken Soup
Question :

Is it prohibited for me to eat chicken soup made from chicken that has not been not slaughtered in accordance with the Sharia?

Answer :

Yes, it is prohibited, since it consists of unlawful chicken or parts of it, or it has at the very least come into contact with it making the soup najis.

Korean and Japanese Cuisines
Question :

In Korean and Japanese cuisines, the food is sometimes fermented e.g. in Korea radish is mixed with sugar, salt and a few more lawful ingredients and kept overnight or so in order to ferment.
Is it allowed to prepare a dish like that and eat food fermented in this way?

Answer :

This food is permitted, as long as it does not cause intoxication.

Cannabis
Question :

Is it permissible to consume cannabis as medicine? Some people say that it is less damaging to the body than other pharmaceutical drugs and treatments for certain illnesses.

Answer :

It is prohibited to consume an intoxicant as a medicine, unless saving the life of the patient depends on it.

Glycerine
Question :

There is a substance widely used in the food market – for example, in cakes and muffins – called Glycerol (Glycerine), as a humectant or sweetener. Can I eat the cake if it contains this substance?

Answer :

If it is derived from a permitted source, then it is permissible to consume; otherwise, it is not permissible to consume.

Rice Wine
Question :

Is it permissible to eat foods that contain rice wine (like mirin) or rice wine vinegar?

Answer :

If it contains alcoholic intoxicants then it is prohibited to consume it. If it is then transformed into vinegar, it becomes permissible.

Barley Malt Extract
Question :

What is the ruling of consuming Barley Malt Extract?

Answer :

It is prohibited to consume barley water if its processing involves a method that makes it an intoxicant, even if the level of intoxication is very low.
If it is processed in such a way that it does not become an intoxicant at all, then it is permissible to consume it.
Hence, we cannot give one general ruling for barley water.

Food
Question :

If any food product contains wine, such as a sauce, is it permissible to consume?

Answer :

It is not permissible to consume wine or any food product that contains wine, even if the wine is in the smallest amount.