Fatwa ID: 08812

Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi

Question:

Is spirit vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, any vinegar that is derived from dates, grapes, corn, wheat or barely halal to consume, as it’s said that there will be a minute amount that is left behind, the amount can vary. Would I need to get in contact with the companies or would they be fine and permissible to consume?

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

Answer:

Vinegar is made through a two-stage fermentation process, sugar (from dates, grapes, corn, wheat, etc.) is converted into ethanol (alcohol). Ethanol is then oxidized into acetic acid, the sour component that makes vinegar, removes the intoxicating property from the substance.

The transformation of alcohol into acetic acid is so complete that the original haram substance (alcohol) no longer remains in its intoxicating or forbidden form. Wine is impure and prohibited. However, if wine turns into vinegar by itself, it is permissible.

Therefore, spirit vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, any vinegar that is derived from dates, grapes, corn, wheat or barely when alcohol is fully transformed into vinegar, it is no longer considered alcohol and becomes permissible to consume.

References:

الْيَقِينُ لَا يُزَالُ بِالشَّكِّ

Qawaid al Fiqhiya

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ نِعْمَ الإِدَامُ الْخَلُّ ‏”‏

Sunan Abi Dawud 3820

لْأَوَّلُ (نَبِيذُ التَّمْرِ وَالزَّبِيبِ إنْ طُبِخَ أَدْنَى طَبْخَةً) يَحِلُّ شُرْبُهُ

Rad al Muhtar Vol 6 Pg 452 Maktaba Shamila

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham