Answered by SunniPath Answer Service Team
I live in Canada and most of soaps, shampoos and Body creams and moisturizers contain glycerine. The source of this glycerine can be animals (which include pigs too) or plants, based on whatever was available at the time of production. Some companies say that they try to use vegetable based glycerine most of the time but they cannot guarantee it. It is very hard to find vegetable-based products, and if found, they are way to expensive. So I have the following questions:
Wa Alaykum Assalam wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu,
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful & Compassionate
From the link provided below:
“ In both cases the original state undergoes tremendous changes making the final product something altogether different. Soap also undergoes tremendous changes from its original substance, hence all soap will be permissible to use for Muslims.”
If you still prefer something that is not animal based, the last time I checked, Dial Soap and Keri Lotion were both free of animal products (this may have changed, Allah knows best) and are reasonably priced. Products from The Body Shop are also mainly free of animal products (email them concerning specific items, and they will answer).
For a more detailed explanation of issues of halal/haram products, please see the following link:
Kosher, Gelatin, Mono-diglycerides, Soaps, Lotions…
If you have further questions, please ask.
Wassalam,
The Sunni Path Q/A Team