PART 3 – COMMERCIAL CHOCOLATES ARE UNDOUBTEDLY DOUBTFUL
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “Verily, Halaal is clear and Haraam is clear. In between (these two categories) are the doubtful things. Many people do not know these (doubtful things). Whoever abstains from the doubtful things, has saved his Deen and his honour. And, whoever indulges in doubtful things, will indulge in Haraam.” [Bukhari]
The above Hadeeth clearly teaches us to abstain from doubtful things. In another Hadeeth, the COMMAND by Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam is to abstain and shun doubtful things – not to look for excuses by saying it is not Haraam. By staying away from doubtful things, we are protecting our Deen and our reputation.
From the time of the Sahaabah right down to this day the ta’leem (teaching/instruction) and emphasis of the Shariah have always been on abstention from anything which hovers between haraam and halaal. Remember that when a command is issued by the Rasool of Allah, it is not to be regarded with insignificance and discarded as has become the entrenched practice nowadays.
When it comes to any edible, especially commercial products, then we have to be sure about the ingredients. Advice is not given to just doubt everything. However, commercialized products have a myriad of concealed ingredients, i.e. one is unware of the true nature of the ingredients. Many of the ingredients are camouflaged with E-numbers, many are unknown and some ingredients are even concealed.
Furthermore, certain ingredients can be derived from both, plant and animal. This makes it extremely doubtful. The doubt magnifies in view of the fact that many of the companies are run by Kuffaar or Fussaaq who simply do not care about the Shariah. Aggravating the situation are the halaal councils who certify numerous Haraam things as halaal and look for loopholes and justification for the permissibility of products which are not just doubtful, but clearly Haraam. In this regard, take note of a few ingredients to make it easier to understand.
1 – Shellac (E904). This ingredient is derived from insects. Yet, Sanha regards it to be Halaal. Cadbury Nutties, etc. contain this Haraam ingredient. Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug and it is a glazing agent. Beware of Smarties!
2 – Liquor. Liquors such as rum are added as flavourants, etc. Imagine a chocolate containing a few drops of beer! Nauseating, repulsive and Haraam for every Muslim! Recently, some corrupt molvis declared a cake with rum to be Halaal. How will you know which flavourant contains what haraam constituents when even upside down muftis are giving corrupt fatwas that rum is halaal so long you don’t get drunk!!!
3 – Ethanol (E1510) and various alcohols which are found in famous intoxicants – all are Haraam. Sanha and its sister bodies regard ethanol, etc. to be halaal. This ingredient is also concealed, as a certain percentage of the Haraam does not have to be mentioned in the ingredients. One has to be very careful with vanilla.
4 – Carmine (E120). A red colouring from a crushed beetle. But, you will find the halaal logo even on such haraam products. Disgusting and putrid!
5 – Gelatine. A famous haraam ingredient, especially the bovine gelatine. Do not be fooled with a halaal logo. Besides this, there are many other doubtful ingredients.