Fatwa ID: 07060

Answered by: Maulana Burhaan Rahman

Question:

Salaams my wife was advised to take primrose oil, although it is not an urgent medical need, this was the only one she found indicating that the gel capsule is from “kosher gelatin”. Everything else has gelatin because it’s the only way to encapsulate the oil. Wanted to know if it’s ok or should be avoided.

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

Answer:

The only time one can consume haram foods is in the state of dire need and necessity where nothing else Halal is available.

Allah SWT mentions in the Qur’an:

وَمَا لَـكُمۡ اَلَّا تَاۡكُلُوۡا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسۡمُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيۡهِ وَقَدۡ فَصَّلَ لَـكُمۡ مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ اِلَّا مَا اضۡطُرِرۡتُمۡ اِلَيۡهِؕ

“And why should you not eat (meat) on which Allah’s Name has been recited (at the time of slaughtering the animal), when he has described to you in full what is forbidden for you, unless you are forced to do so by necessity?” [Surah An’aam verse 119]

With regards to your wife, you mentioned it’s not urgent and no complications is attached to it. Nevertheless, by the grace of Allah nearly everything we have in terms of medication, there’s always a Halal/vegetarian/vegan version. Gelatin is used as a gelling agent for capsules.

A vegetarian/vegan primrose oil you can consider:

The “Evening Primrose Oil” where the Capsule is made of Modified Starch, Glycerol, Carrageenan (seaweed gelling agent) and Vitamin E.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Burhaan Rahman

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham