Fatwa ID: 07178

 

 

Answered by: Alimah Saniyah Bint Asrar

 

Question:

 

1) Can we eat foods that contain vanilla extract?

 

2) I need to wash the ihram clothes in preparation for Hajj. Can I use my usual detergent i.e persil/ariel or does it have to be a scent free detergent. I will not be adding any fabric softner or scent beads etc.

 

I am asking for the shafi rulings regarding the above.

 

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

 

Answer:

 

Regarding the permissibility of vanilla extract in Islam, it is generally considered halal, despite being mixed with alcohol during its preparation. This ruling is based on two key reasons:

 

1. Alcohol is Not Najis (Impure): Alcohol is not considered impure in a physical sense (najas); rather, it is deemed tahir (pure).

 

2. No Intoxicating Effect: The alcohol used in the preparation of vanilla extract does not have any intoxicating effect. When consuming vanilla extract, one does not become intoxicated, and no effect of alcohol is present. Any alcohol that might have been attached to the vanilla seeds during preparation disappears and leaves no trace.

 

Any amount of alcohol doesn’t automatically make something haram. If the alcohol content is high enough to cause intoxication when consumed, then it is haram. However, if the alcohol content is minimal, has evaporated, leaves no trace, and does not have any effect, then it is halal.

 

As for washing the Ihram with detergent, it is permissible to do so. The prohibition of using scent only applies once one is in the state of Ihram. However, it is important to make sure that the intention isn’t for fragrance and that the fragrance shouldn’t get on one’s body while they are in ihram.

 

 

 

فتح القريب المجيب في شرح ألفاظ التقريب = القول المختار في شرح غاية الاختصار ١/‏٥٩

ولما فرغ المصنف مما يطهر بالغسل شرَع فيما يطهر بالاستحالة، وهي انقلاب الشيء من صفة إلى صفة أخرى؛ فقال: (وإذا تخللت الخمرة)؛ وهي المُتخَذة من ماء العنب، محترمةً كانت الخمرة أم لا. ومعنى تخللت صارت خلًاّ، وكانت صيرورتها خلا (بنفسها طهرت). وكذا لو تخللت بنقلها من شمس إلى ظل وعكسه، (وإن) لم تتخلل الخمرة بنفسها بل (تخللت بطرح شيء فيها لم تطهر). وإذا طهرت الحمرة طهر دَنُّها تبعا لها.

 

 

روضة الطالبين وعمدة المفتين ٧/‏٣٠٤

مَتَى عَادَتِ الطِّهَارَةُ بِالتَّخَلُّلِ، طَهُرَتْ أَجْزَاءُ الظَّرْفِ لِلضَّرُورَةِ، وَعَنِ الدَّارِكِيِّ: إِنْ لَمْ يَتَشَرَّبْ شَيْئًا مِنَ الْخَمْرِ كَالْقَوَارِيرِ، طَهُرَ، وَإِلَّا، فَلَا، وَالصَّوَابُ الْمَعْرُوفُ: الطَّهَارَةُ مُطْلَقًا. وَكَمَا يَطْهُرُ مَا يُلَاقِي الْخَلَّ بَعْدَ التَّخَلُّلِ، يَطْهُرُ مَا فَوْقَهُ مِمَّا أَصَابَهُ الْخَمْرُ فِي حَالِ الْغَلَيَانِ، قَالَهُ الْقَاضِي حُسَيْنٌ، وَأَبُو الرَّبِيعِ الْأَيْلَاقِيُّ.

 

 

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Alimah Saniyah bint Asrar

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham