Fatwa ID: 06390
Answered by: Alimah Zakiratul Hoque
Question:
I wanted to ask about a supplement called Serrapeptase, it’s an enzyme. The brand I got says it’s vegetarian, and it also comes in a vegan formula. I was confused as to how it can be vegan if it’s taken from an insect.
Google says about this enzyme: “It’s produced by bacteria in the digestive tract of silkworms and allows the emerging moth to digest and dissolve its cocoon…” so the silkworms excrete this enzyme to break open the moth. It also said that now it’s produced through a fermentation process in the labs.
After calling the company they confirmed that initially like about a decade ago when the product was being made, the enzymes were taken from silkworms which were then synthesized in the labs and fermented with bacteria to produce more of the enzymes. And after that, the synthesized version has been used to reproduce more and more. And hence they claim no animal byproduct is used nor are the silkworms harvested. In fact, they said most vitamins that they claim are vegan/vegetarian initially were made like that.
Now is this product halal for us to consume? It is a supplement but we want a family member to try this to avoid possible surgery in the future.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“The ones who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whose description they find in their Torah and the Gospel. He commands them to do good and forbids them from evil, permits for them what is lawful and forbids to them what is impure, and relieves them from their burdens and the shackles that bound them….” (Qur’an, 7: 157)
Insects are included in the term ‘impure’ in the above verse. Therefore, it would not be permissible to use Serrapeptase if it is extracted from silkworms, as it is an insect-produced enzyme. If the Serrapeptase is produced in a lab and does not involve a silkworm, you should find out further details regarding the ingredients and the manufacturing process before consuming it.
You should speak to a reliable Muslim doctor to get medical advice regarding alternative Halal medication. However, if there are no other options and the choice is between consuming Serrapeptase or having surgery, it would be permissible to consume Serrapeptase to avoid further harm if the doctor says there would be serious complications if surgery is done, as it would be the lesser harm (Qawaaid Fiqhiyyah, Pg 32).
However, this decision should not be made based on an assumption. Without medical advice, you should not assume that surgery is necessary, or that surgery would be more harmful.
In summary, you should not consume Serrapeptase if it is produced by a silkworm. If it is produced in a lab, you should investigate the ingredients and manufacturing process. And you should make a decision regarding whether to use it after consulting a trusted Muslim medical professional.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَىٰهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْخَبَـٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَٱلْأَغْلَـٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
الضرر الأشد يزال بالضرر الأخف
Only Allah knows best
Written by Alimah Zakiratul Hoque
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
