Fatwa ID: 08502
Answered by Maulana Nuski Cassim
Question:
I have a question regarding the obligation to investigate the purity (taharah) of skincare and personal care products in the West, particularly concerning glycerin in moisturisers and similar products.
1. General Obligation to Investigate
• If a product contains glycerin, lecithin, or other potentially animal-derived ingredients, am I required to investigate whether these ingredients come from a halal source?
• Does the principle of default purity (asl al-taharah) apply unless there is clear evidence of impurity?
2. Past Products Used
• If I have used moisturizing products without checking their glycerin source in the past, am I required to investigate those now?
• If I later find out that they contained animal-based glycerin from non-halal slaughter, does that affect previous prayers or wudu?
3. Current Products and Practicality
• Given that most products in the West are not halal-certified and companies do not always disclose ingredient sources, to what extent am I required to actively investigate each product before use?
• If the manufacturer cannot confirm whether an ingredient is from a halal or haram source, can I assume it is pure (tahir) by default?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
When it comes to animal ingredients found in cosmetic products such as glycerine, lecithin, etc., it is worth noting that many of these ingredients undergo a process of metamorphosis (istihalah).[1]
Moreover, as you have mentioned, companies do not always disclose ingredient sources and many a times the company representatives cannot confirm whether an ingredient is from a halal or haram source.
Thus, one is to assume it is pure (tahir) and permissible by default—as is the basis of all things [excluding meat] until proven otherwise.[2]
Though it is of vital importance to ensure that which we eat and consume is halal, we are not obligated to go into extremes when it comes to doing so.
Another point to consider is that most cosmetic products from lotions to soaps contain some, if not all, the ingredients you mentioned. Hence, it will pose a great difficultly to the masses if they were to call every company and ascertain the source of every ingredient—therefore, in cases of public affliction (umum al-balwa) such as this, rulings are relatively relaxed, and the ruling will be on purity and permissibility—as doubts are of no legal consideration.[3][4]
Having said this, if a person was to go ahead and ascertain the sources of these ingredients for all their cosmetic products, then this would be from their precaution and not necessarily something which is obligatory to do.[5]
Therefore, you do not need to investigate the ingredient sources of past cosmetic products used nor do you have to investigate them in the future. Furthermore, vegan or halal cosmetic products can also be opted for in place of the conventional ones [if easily available].
References:
- ثم هذه المسألة قد فرعوها على قول محمد بالطهارة بانقلاب العين الذي عليه الفتوى واختاره أكثر المشايخ
جعل الدُهْن النجس في صابون يفتى بطهارته؛ لأنه تغير والتغير يطهر عند محمد ويفتى به للبلوى. اهـ. وظاهره أن دهن الميتة كذلك لتعبيره بالنجس دون المتنجس
[كتاب حاشية ابن عابدين، ج. ١، صفحة ٣١٦، مكتبة الشاملة]
2. وأن الحاجة تنزل منزلة الضرورة مادامت متعينة، وأن الأصل في الأشياء الإباحة مالم يقم دليل معتبر على الحرمة، كما أن الأصل في الأشياء كلها الطهارة مالم يقم دليل معتبر على النجاسة.
[كتاب الفقه الاسلامي وادلته، ج.٧، صفحة ٥٢٦٤، دار الفكر]
3. إِنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ، وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّينَ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ غَلَبَهُ
[صحيح البخاري، رقم الحديث: ٣٩]
4. لان الشك أضعف من اليقين فلا يعارضه
[القواعد الفقهية مع الشرح الوجيز، الصفحة ١٥، دار الترمذي]
5. فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُم
[سورة التغابن، رقم الآية: ١٦]
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Nuski Cassim
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
