Date : 29-09-2020

Question :

I have bought bone broth powder from America. It is made from bones of cow, chicken and turkey without any additives. However, the word "Halal" wasn`t written on the can nor the method of slaughtering the animal. I bought this broth without paying attention to these details for I was concerned with the fact that it contains ingredients that help heal the intestines. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that normal stock powder contains harmful ingredients and is non-therapeutic. What is the ruling of Sharia on having this type of broth?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.


In principle, foods and drinks are lawful unless specifically forbidden for us through evidence from the Quran or Sunnah. Animals whose meat is permissible for Muslims to eat must be slaughtered in the Islamic form. Allah the Almighty says {What means}: " Say: "I find not in the message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine,- for it is an abomination - or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than God’s". But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- thy Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." {Al-An`am, 145}.


 


As for treatment, it must be sought through what is deemed lawful by Sharia. However, seeking treatment through using what is deemed unlawful is governed by the following rules of Sharia:


First: Treatment is sought for a necessity and necessities are estimated by the extent thereof.


Second: There is no other alternative for the forbidden medicine. Thus, for example, it isn`t permissible to use forbidden ingredients in nutritional supplements or to encapsulate them with such ingredients since there is an alternative from lawful animals, such as cows, fish or vegetable gelatin. And Allah the Almighty knows best.