Halal Verdict: Tape’s Alcohol Content and Islamic Rulings
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- Indonesian tape contains fermentation alcohol but stays halal, as MUI scholars distinguish it from intoxicating khamar—echoing Imam Abu Hanifah’s nabidz ruling.
- From durian to tape: Trace alcohol in foods isn’t haram unless it intoxicates, per Islamic fiqh from Imam Syafi’i and Abu Hanifah.
- MUI clarifies tape’s halal status despite alcohol, classifying it as non-intoxicating nabidz, not forbidden khamar.
Tape, a popular Indonesian staple made from cassava or glutinous rice, undergoes fermentation that produces alcohol. Yet, why isn’t it classified as khamar—intoxicating substances deemed haram in Islam?
Citing the official LPPOM website, scholars on the MUI Fatwa Commission explain that while some alcohols are forbidden, others are not. Foods or drinks that intoxicate fall under khamar and are strictly haram.
Imam Syafi’i, for one, rules that khamar is both haram and najis (impure). This stems from the Quranic verse describing it as “a work of Satan,” implying material impurity.
Other scholars, like Imam Abu Hanifah, agree khamar is haram but not najis. They base this on Quran 5:90-91, which bans khamar outright. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed companions to discard their khamar stocks but didn’t require washing the containers—suggesting no lingering impurity.
Imam Abu Hanifah further distinguishes that khamar always contains alcohol and is haram, but alcohol isn’t always khamar. Take overripe durian: it produces alcohol that can intoxicate the sensitive, yet no scholar bans durian or fruit juices with trace alcohol.
This logic extends to Indonesia’s beloved tape. Fermentation yields alcohol, but it doesn’t qualify as khamar or haram since it doesn’t intoxicate.
Imam Abu Hanifah labels such alcohol-bearing foods like tape as nabidz, not khamar. Nabidz becomes haram only if it causes intoxication; otherwise, it’s halal fare.
Indonesianpost.com | Kumparan
