Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I am reading about probiotics and some of the bacteria being “human-derived.” It is a question as to whether that means actually coming from humans or just meaning that it can thrive in the human gut.
Is it permissible to take these probiotics, as they have undergone multiple changes before becoming a probiotic?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Thank you for your question. Based on my understanding of probiotics and how they are cultured, after consulting a God-fearing authority on the issue, I can present the following points:
The fact that probiotics are sourced initially from potentially impure origins (human/animal matter) may raise concerns about the permissibility of their consumption, especially for non-essential medical use.
Most commercially available probiotics are isolated initially and purified from human or animal origin. Once isolated and purified, the desirable components are cultured in a lab and artificially reproduced. Therefore, the probiotics available for human consumption are artificial, lab-produced cultures that do not come from humans or animals.
Since no traces of impurities remain with the artificially reproduced product, they are permissible for consumption, and Allah knows best.
I pray that this helps.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.