Butter Made from Cows’ Rennet
Fatwa No: 370123

Question

i started seeing in the internet that some butter may be haram in europe . do i have to search and call the company even though i don't know which butter is haram and i don't know language ?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If you know for certain that some type of food contains something that is forbidden, then you must avoid it. But if you do not know about this, then you can eat from it because in principle all types of food are permissible and not forbidden.

The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads:

It is clear to those who follow what is written in various books of Fiqh in chapters about food and other matters that in principle all kinds of food are permissible…..” [End of quote]

Hence, you are not required to investigate about its contents or to contact the company that produces it.

The Standing Committee was asked:

What is the ruling on eating cheese made from cows’ rennet?

Answer: “There is nothing wrong with eating cheese that is made from the rennet of cows, and it is not obligatory to ask about it. The Muslims have been eating cheese made by non-Muslims since the Era of the Companions until today but they never asked about the type of the rennet….” [End of quote]

Allah knows best.

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