Ruling on Foods and Drinks that contain a small percentage of Alcohol

“Ghowl” refers to the alcohol. Alcohol that is a substance of intoxication is called ethyl alcohol, while methyl alcohol is a poisonous substance. All intoxicants and wine consist of ethyl alcohol.

The alcohol that exists in foods and drinks can be divided into three types:

First Type: Foods and drinks in which the percentage of alcohol is very high and causes intoxication to the person who eats that food or takes that drink. This is strictly prohibited by the consensus of all the ‘Ulama. It is considered Khamr (i.e. an intoxicant) and using or drinking it is a major sin.

Second Type: Foods and drinks where the percentage of alcohol is small. A little amount does not cause intoxication, but a lot of it will cause intoxication. This is also forbidden. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “If a large amount of anything causes intoxication, a small amount of it is prohibited.” [Abu Dawoud no. 3681 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Hasan Saheeh]

This is forbidden according to the majority of Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali scholars, whereas the Hanafi scholars said it is forbidden with the exception of grape juice; a person can drink a small quantity of it which doesn’t intoxicate. However, the correct opinion is that of the majority of scholars who said that a small quantity is Haraam whether it is grape juice or anything besides it.

Note: The meaning of the Hadeeth: “Whatever intoxicates in large quantity, a small amount of it is Haraam” is that if one drinks a little of it, it does not cause intoxication, but if one is tempted to drink more of it, he becomes intoxicated.

Third Type: The percentage of alcohol is so insignificant that consuming it in a large quantity will not cause intoxication. This is a consumable (useable)  amount because it is fully absorbed into the food or drink and has disappeared in it such that its essence is no longer present and no trace of it can be detected in the drink (or food) in terms of color, taste, or odor. This is found in many foods and drinks. Many canned foods, juices, medicines, and long-life dairy products consist of insignificant amounts of alcohol. This is because modern manufacturers use ethyl alcohol which they consider to be the best solvent and a good preservative. Therefore, they prefer it over other substances.

This type is permissible and there is no sin in taking them, with the consensus of the ‘Ulama.

Ibn Taymiyah (Rahimahullaah) mentioned a similar issue which the ‘Ulama call ‘the theory of consumption’. They say: “Because the percentage of alcohol is very insignificant, it is fully absorbed, just as a little impurity in the sea water will not contaminate it or cause it to become Najis (impure). The little impurity is absorbed and thus has no effect. Similarly, a small percentage of alcohol has no effect, and it is absorbed into the food or drink.”

Shaikh Sa’d Al-Khathlan responded to the counter argument of the above issue that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whatever intoxicates in large quantity, a small quantity of it is Haraam.”

He replied: “Right, and we abide by this, but consuming a large quantity of this drink or food will not cause intoxication, no matter how much the person drinks of it. For example, if one drinks orange juice, which consists of a very small amount of alcohol, he will not become intoxicated no matter how much he drinks of it, because the amount of alcohol is insignificant. There is no sin in that; the amount is figurative (and forgivable).”  

Barley Drink

Barley drink is produced in Saudi Arabia (and the Gulf region) and consists of 0.05% of alcohol. Many people call it beer – though it is not right to be called such a name, because beer is the name for a kind of Khamr (wine). Is it better to leave drinking it out of piety?

Shaikh Sa’d Al-Khathlan replied: “No, otherwise you should not drink orange juice which consists of 0.08% of alcohol, which has more percentage of alcohol than the barley drink.” As long as the percentage of alcohol is less than 1%, then this amount is very insignificant and consumable.

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said: “The basic principle concerning all kinds of food, drink, and clothing, is that they are permissible until and unless proof is established that they are Haraam. Allaah (Ta’ala) says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘He it is Who created for you all that is on the earth’ [Al-Baqarah (2:29)]. So if anyone says this drink is Haraam or this food is Haraam or this garment is Haraam, say to him, bring your proof. If he brings proof, then we should do whatever is indicated by the proof. If he does not bring proof, then his words are to be rejected, because Allaah (Ta’ala) says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘He it is Who created for you all that is on the earth.’ [Al-Baqarah (2:29)]. Everything in this world Allaah has created for us. This general meaning is confirmed by the word Jamee’an (translated here as ‘all’). And Allaah (Ta’ala) says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘While He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you.’ [Al-An’aam (6:119)]

So if something is Haraam, there should be a clear and detailed indication that it is Haraam. If there is no such proof, then it is not Haraam. The barley drink that is found in our markets here in the Land of the Two Holy Sanctuaries (Saudi Arabia) is all Halaal and there is no doubt concerning that in sha Allaah.

We do not think that just having an alcohol content in a thing makes it Haraam; rather if something contains a percentage of alcohol which will make a person intoxicated if he drinks it, then it is Haraam. But if the amount is miniscule and does not have any effect, then it is Halaal.” [Al-Baab Al-Maftooh]

Sources:

Contemporary Jurisprudence Issues by Shaikh Sa’d Al-Khathlan

IslamQA.info