Question

After reading a Q&A about ethanol in sandwiches, I feel it is necessary to bring to your attention that alcohol derived from sugar cane is, in fact, intoxicating and I am including a link to clarify this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum

With this in mind, would the sandwiches still be halal to eat if the amount of ethanol isn’t enough to intoxicate?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

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

Answer:

Synthetic alcohols and all alcohol besides those which are not extracted from dates and grapes in foods are permissible to use and consume as long as it is not used to intoxicate.

Therefore, if the amount of ethanol in the food is intoxicating, then it will not be permissible to consume that food, otherwise it will.

This is because alcohol extracted from sugar canes falls under the category of Khamr Ghair Haqeeqi (i.e. not khamr) and alcohol extracted from dates and grapes fall under Khamr Haqeeqi.

Saaiduna Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said “Khamr (wine) is from these two trees, dates and grapes.” (Sahih Muslim p.167 v.2)

Only Allah knows best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham