Question:
Respected Mufti Sahib,
Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
Could you please help me? I have recently been prescribed some medication that contains ‘pre-gelatinised maize starch’ and if possible I would really rather avoid such products in my diet, however, my GP prescribed me these tablets and I do feel the need to have started taking them already.
What to do? What are the penalties for taking Haraam substances as part of medical treatment? Is the offence very grave in the sight of Allah (SWT)?
I do hope Insha Allah, you would be able to give me some answers to this thorny issue and some practical advice.
Answer:
According to our finding and research of experts in the field of food industry, gelatine is a new compound the properties of which differ from that of its origin and a metamorphosis takes place in the manufacturing process of gelatine. Therefore, the gelatine is pure and lawful to consume. As a result, medication which contains “pre-gelatinized maize starch” is also Halaal.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
26 May 2005
17 Rabee’uth Thaani 1426