Fatwa ID: 04872

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question

Is it permissible for a person to intentionally add chemicals or other materials, thus, after Tabdeel Mahiyat that thing becomes permissible

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

Answer

Tabdeel-e-Mahiyah is the total transformation of an item whereby the original components maintains no properties of its former state and differs completely from it in application and qualities and due to this fact the name of the item also changes.

An example of this in the books of jurisprudence is given by ‘Allamah Ibn Aabideen, in regards to grape juice(Aseer) which is pure, but when it is fermented and it changes into wine (Khamr), it becomes impure, and thereafter it can further change into vinegar [Khal] which is pure again. (Raddul Muhtar, Vol 5, P320)

Regarding your question, in principle, if someone intentionally added some chemicals into wine, which lead it to become vinegar then technically speaking it will be considered permissible.

However, there are many counter reasons which will make it impermissible. For example, how on earth did a Muslim get wine in the first place? If he brought it then such purchase will be deemed unlawful in the Shariah.

Saaiduna Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah said, ‘Allah’s curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol.  The one who distils it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilises money from it, the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else’. (Sunan Ibn Majah p.242 v.2)

Another example can be given in the producing of soap where animal fats are used to then transform it into soap. The same question arises here as to how the Muslim got hold of animal fats. The base ruling in the Shariah is that which is unlawful to consume is also unlawful to sell. (Taqrir Tirmizi p.223 v.1)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham