Most-asked question

Is food containing alcohol halaal?

46 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 4 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Camperdown). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“Modern-day perfumes which are alcohol-based are made from synthetic alcohol, and not alcohol which is derived from dates and grapes. Therefore, perfumes containing synthetic alcohol are permissible for external use. As such, it is permissible to sell such perfumes.”

Ibn Masood — Alcohol-Based Perfumes · 22 Jul 2025

“Minimal amounts of alcohol used in food products will be permissible to consume on condition that the alcohol is not sourced from grapes or dates. You may refer to Fatwa #31176 for a detailed answer.”

AskImam — What is the ruling of a small amount of alcohol in food products? · 14 Oct 2018

“Non-alcoholic beer is specifically marketed towards the Kuffaar and Fussaq who are accustomed to drinking normal beer. It has become a hallmark of the disbelievers and sinners. That is why, regular beer and non-alcoholic beer have identical tastes.”

Camperdown — 0% alcohol drinks · 22 Aug 2022

“If the alcohol is from besides grapes and dates, and there is no haraam or impure ingredient contained in it, then it will be permissible to use it for external reasons.”

Mufti Online — Alcohol denat in perfume · 19 Sep 2024

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Alcohol-Based Perfumes Ibn Masood · 22 Jul 2025
  2. 0% alcohol drinks Camperdown · 22 Aug 2022
  3. I'd like some clarification about alcohol content in drinks. Can i purchase them? AskImam · 20 Jan 2020
  4. Alcohol in perfumes Mufti Online · 9 Jul 2018
  5. Ethyl alcohol in food Ibn Masood · 21 Feb 2023
  6. alcohol in body creams or face washes and perfumes. Are this type of products halal to use? AskImam · 8 Dec 2019
  7. Using false eyelashes and alcoholic perfumes Mufti Online · 3 Jan 2018
  8. What is the ruling of a small amount of alcohol in food products? AskImam · 14 Oct 2018
  9. My husband drinks alcohol and forces me to drink Mufti Online · 10 Oct 2012
  10. Is it permissible to use alcohol as an ingredient? AskImam · 19 Nov 2016
  11. Alcohol denat in perfume Mufti Online · 19 Sep 2024
  12. Working for a Soft drinks bottler which sells non-alcoholic drinks AskImam · 25 Apr 2016
  13. Drinking non-alcoholic drinks Mufti Online · 22 Sep 2020
  14. Alcohol content in cooking spray AskImam · 14 Apr 2016
  15. Eating products with alcohol based flavours Mufti Online · 2 Mar 2019

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