Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
I have been drinking milk kefir for years and I believe it is halal and good for your health.
I started recently drinking water kefir and was told that it was haram as the fermentation was faster and therefore more alcohol is in the drink after 24hrs. I was also told that if you leave the drink to ferment 48hrs (called ‘double fermentation’) then it is definitely haram.
Can you please clarify this? Is it true?
Answer
The double fermented water kefir would still be permissible to consume. The alcohol content within it is not wine – which, according to the Hanafi school, must be made from dates or grapes. This means that it is a pure liquid. [Maydani, al Lubab]
Also, the double fermented water kefir is not intoxicating, and it is not used as wine. Therefore, it remains permissible to consume.
Please refer to the below-given link for more details.
Is Propylene Glycol Permitted to Use and Consume?
Enjoy the drink, and thank Allah for the taste and the benefit it brings. Allah has said, “O Believers, eat of the delicious foods We have provided for you and thank Allah-if, indeed, you worship Him.” [Quran, 2:172]
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani