Khamr is intoxicating liquor prepared for anything which befogs the mind. All alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, gin, whisky, rum, vodka, tequila, moonshine, etc., are Khamr.
The word khamr occurs six times in the Quran: once in the subjective case (5:90), twice in the objective case (12:36, 41), and thrice in the genitive case (2:219, 5:91, 47:15). Al-Quran Link: quran.com.
Quran 5:91
Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?
WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
Refers to pure ethanol (denatured ethanol) at any concentration. From a chemistry point of view, Alcohol refers to any compound containing the hydroxyl (-OH) group.
SOURCES OF ALCOHOL**
1. Agricultural Alcohol – derived from the biological fermentation process of carbohydrate source for example:
– Fermentation of sugar and
– Fermentation of starch
2. Synthetic alcohol – chemically synthesized from ethylene. The process :
– Indirect hydration through the addition of sulfuric acid
– Direct catalytic hydration of ethylene
3. Denatured Alcohol – removal of a specific property to make it poisonous and undrinkable.
Examples:
– gasoline
i.e., ethanol is an alcohol made from corn or grains that is added to gasoline to oxygenate fuel at the gas pumps. Compared to conventional gasoline, E10 and E85 (ethanol blend fuels), will absorb much more water, very quickly. – wiki.
– gasoline
i.e., ethanol is an alcohol made from corn or grains that is added to gasoline to oxygenate fuel at the gas pumps. Compared to conventional gasoline, E10 and E85 (ethanol blend fuels), will absorb much more water, very quickly. – wiki.
Malaysia National Islamic Fatwa Committee (JAKIM) Cordials that contain any flavoring substances with a certain amount of alcohol added as a stabilizer for the purpose of a drink are allowed on the condition that:
1. The alcohol* is NOT derived from “khamr” production
2. The quantity of alcohol in the flavor is small such that it will not intoxicate (<0.5%)
1. The alcohol* is NOT derived from “khamr” production
2. The quantity of alcohol in the flavor is small such that it will not intoxicate (<0.5%)
USAGE OF KHAMR AND ALCOHOL IN HALAL INDUSTRIES
- Alcohol in Drug
- Alcohol in Cosmetics
- Alcohol in Drinks
ISSUES IN HALAL INDUSTRY**
ISSUE # 1
If ethanol is produced using the same process as an intoxicating alcoholic beverage (i.e., fermentation), does it make it non-halal?
Fermentation is a common preservation process subjected to e.g., Wheat flour (sourdough), soya beans (soy sauce)
- Fermentation will not necessarily produce an intoxicating product
- The permissibility from a religious perspective and hence it is halal
Compliance of such a product will depend on the intention (Is it to produce an intoxicant?) and utilization of the product
ISSUE # 2
Is ethanol (alcohol) the same as an intoxicating alcoholic beverage (khamr)?
The misunderstanding was due to the incorrect translation of the term khamr (Arabic) to alcohol (English)
- The term alcohol, from the chemistry perspective, is more than just ethanol.
- The permissibility from a religious perspective and hence it is halal
Compliance with such a product will depend on the intention and utilization of the product
- Ethanol is not necessarily Khamr, although the intoxicating substance in Khamr is ethanol
ISSUE # 3
Is it permissible for alcohol (khamr) to be added in food, drink or food preparation drink? Will the alcohol totally evaporate during cooking?
ALCOHOL BURN-OFF CHART**
Baked/simmered dishes with alcohol stirred into the mixture:
- It is not permissible to add khamr to any food, drink or food preparation as this will be seen as contaminating the food with a prohibited substance
- Some khamr will remain in food even after it has been subjected to the most severe heating or cooking
-
Sources :
**DZULKIFLY MAT HASHIM
HALAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIALast updated 29 January 2016 Issue: 1
ALCOHOL CLEANSING
For alcohol cleansing, the use of i.e., clean tap water is adequate enough to make glasses or bottles to Halal again, as long traces of odor/smell, color and taste are no longer there.
Blog Review : Not all Islamic countries accepted a similar understanding. In Islam, we promote a respect to each other opinion, principle and interpretation within the wide range of the school of thoughts.
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