Non-halal Medicine

Non-halal Medicine

    

     The word ‘medicine’ is derived from Latin as medicina (the art of healing).  It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness in human beings. Contemporary medicine applies health science, biomedical research, and medical technology to diagnose and treat injury and disease typically through medication and surgery. Non-Halal, also traditionally known as ‘Haram’ means anything that is unlawful or unallowable, forbidden, interdicted, illegal or banned and they are regarded as Najis (unclean) in Islamic thinking. Haram is always associated with what is bad and harmful such as behaviour, speech, dress, conduct, manner and Islamic dietary law.

       Haram is a widely-used synopsis to define all that is “forbidden” or “illicit” by God. This can be an act of sin or evil or consumption or benefit from flesh or otherwise of certain animals, or those animals that are not forbidden deemed not to have been Islamic slaughtered in accordance to God’s prescribed teaching.Anyone who engages in Haram is liable to incur the punishment of Allah in the Hereafter . Also Haram is food that has been stolen or acquired through unethical means. Islam also prohibits the usage of any materials that are detrimental to the spiritual or mental well-being of a person, such as alcoholic drinks and drugs. Non-halal medicine is medicine that are made from non-halal ingredients. As mention above, non-halal ingredients are something that are forbidden and unlawful in Islam. Items to be aware, Capsules- Pharmaceutical and Vitamins, Nutritional Supplements, Protein powders, Vitamins and minerals, Clexane and FraxiparineI have made some research about the uses of haram medicines. There are so many people that are still questioning about these kinds of medicine. Here I have met a few questions and the opinion from some websites that are written by ulama’ or pious people. One of them is, “Is it permissible to use Haram medicines?”. This questioned is answered by Shaykh Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam, Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK. He said, “In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,The scholars (within the Hanafi School) have differed as to the permissibility of using unlawful (haram) medication. It is related from Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him) - the founder of the school- that it will not be permissible to use anything that is unlawful even for medical purposes. However, according to Imam Abu Yusuf (Allah have mercy on him) it will be permitted.

     Hence, Imam al-Sarakhsi (Allah have mercy on him) states:“According to Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him), it will not be permitted to drink the urine of animals whose meat is Halal  for medication or any other purpose, due to the statement of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace): “Indeed Allah Most High has not placed cure in that which He has made unlawful for you”.  However, according to Imam Muhammad (Allah have mercy on him), it is permitted to drink the urine of animals whose meat is Halal for medication and other purposes, because it is considered pure according to him.

     Imam Abu Yusuf (Allah have mercy on him) on the other hand, is of the opinion that it will be permitted to drink it but only for medication purposes, due to the Hadith of al-Urayniyyin (m: where the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) gave permission for some members of the tribe of Urayna to drink the urine of camels as medication).” The fact is that the scholars of the Hanafi School (and also other schools) have differed in this issue due to the apparently conflicting Hadiths found in this regard. Some narrations indicate that it is unlawful to use unlawful medication, whilst others seem to indicate that it will be permitted to use unlawful substances for medical purposes.The other question is “What is the ruling on the gelatin in medicine or vitamins?”. The explanation for this question is:- The source of gelatin is the collagen found in the skin and bones of animals like cattle, pigs, poultry, and fish. Cellulose from plants may also be used. If one is unsure of the source of a tablet or capsule, then it is considered pure by default. أما المشكوك فيحكم عليه بالطهارة عملا بالأصل . Medicine or vitamins that include gelatin may either be in a capsule or tablet form. In tablet form, besides for coating, the gelatin may have also been used as a processing agent (even if not mentioned on the label). During production, the gelatin may have been mixed with something else until its qualities were obliterated [istihlak]. The fuqaha discussed cases of istihlak. For example:1) A pilgrim eating food with perfume in it. . 2) A small piece of flesh falling into meat, not making eating the entirety unlawful.  Reason being:

لأنه لما استهلك فيه صار كالعدم

“Because once its own qualities were obliterated, then it became as if non-existent.” (Ibid)

Capsules and coatings may also be made from gelatin.The fuqaha addressed the issue of medicine made from an impurity. Ibn Hajar al-Haytami stated, “It is permissible to use medicine made from a dead animal’s hoof or bones (sic), pure or mixed…”  ‘Umum al-Balwa; The principle is:  المشقة تجلب التيسي. “Difficulty brings about ease. Difficult circumstance permits dispensation. Various reasons allow relaxation in a given ruling. One such reason is: public affliction or ‘umum al-balwa.  In conclusion,The presence of gelatin in some medications and vitamins may be regarded as istihlak. Thefuqaha discussed using impurities medicinally. 

       

        The widespread use of gelatin in pharmaceuticals and vitamins could make avoiding it a public affliction [‘umum al-balwa]; and therefore excusable. If equivalent alternatives exist, then one should opt for them instead.And Allah knows best.The other question is, “Could you clarify whether alcohol in medicine is permitted in our madhaab and what are the evidences for this and the conditions?” The explanations is , The Sultan of the Scholars, Al-Izz b. Abd al-Salam mentioned regarding using impurities for medicinal purposes that it is permissible when no other pure substance can stand in its place. This is because the advantage of recovery and health is greater than avoiding impurities. Then he stated that according to the relied-upon view using liquid intoxicants [khamr] medicinally is impermissible. 

      In his Fatawa, Ibn Hajar drew a distinction between the medicinal use of pure [bi sirfiha] liquid intoxicants and that which has been mixed with other ingredients [bi makhlutiha]. He mentioned that the second type is permissible, while the first is not.  Perhaps, the khilaf in the School pertains to using liquid intoxicants as medicine; but not necessarily to using medicines containing liquid intoxicants.  Khatib mentions that antidotes concocted [tiryaq ma’jun] with it are permissible when there is no substitute. Also, it should be anticipated that the medicine will speed up one’s recovery, either by a doctor’s recommendation or through one’s own knowledge.  In conclusion, it is unlawful to consume liquid intoxicants, even under the pretense of medicinal reason or health benefit. Currently, some medicines prescribed or sold over-the-counter contain alcohol, and likewise other impurities. It is permissible for a sick person to use these medicines when there is not a pure substitute available and it must be anticipated that the medicine will in fact speed up recovery.

          There is an article about these issues in Malaysia. The title is Develop Halal Medicines Seriously - Perak Mufti. It is published by Bernama about 7 months ago.Perak mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria has urged all quarters to work hard to develop Halal medicines for Muslims.He said non-Halal (not permissible in Islam) medicines were allowed in Islam under unforeseen circumstances and 'istihalah' (material transformed into other substances that are different from its origin either in nature, substance or name), Muslims must strive to seek alternatives to replace them."If we continue to use non-Halal medicines on these two grounds, we will not change. We can achieve it if we continue to strive for it."Otherwise, are we going to claim unforeseen circumstances for 500 years?" he asked during the Halal Medicines: Issues and Challenges Roundtable at the Institute of Islamic. On the other hands drugs that contain pork are one of the weapons of the enemies of Islam in religious cripple the people of Muhammad. You yourself can look around you and see how weak Muslims in recent times. It is not as commanding as such as time of the Prophet and his companions. Do you just want to just keep quiet on this issue and continuously supporting the medications that contain pork? NO! Or you will continue to be indifferent to turn a blind eye to this issue? NO!

You may say that the collapse of the Muslims today are due to other factors and not caused by medication containing pork. I do not deny what you may think of it. However, did you know that the enemies of Islam Muhammad SAW rather subtly attacking people? 

This is because they recognize that if the Muslim community through physical attacks, they can be lost easily. Therefore, the best thing for them is to use methods that are fine enough so you did not realize it himself. 

I mean the approach is to give the people of Muhammad SAW digest illegal substance into the body unconsciously. They were pretty sneaky tactics. The drug is a substance that is believed to cure a disease. Then, they use the drug as a 'tool' to weaken the Muslims to mix modern pig illegal substances into the drug that is processed. Then, the drugs that contain pork has been distributed and sold to patients around the world. You as a patient would have to use these drugs because you want to be healthy. 

Finally, medications that contain pork flows into your body without you realise.In your opinion, is it tactic of the enemy is successful? Yes. So, what are the factors that made them successful? Of course, due to the people of Muhammad who do not care about the drugs they use! 

     Why the enemies of Islam use is prohibited as a 'tool' to undermine the people of Muhammad in this sophisticated age? Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah, verse 168, which means:  "O people, eat what is on earth, lawful and good, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan, the devil truly is an open enemy for you" . As the enemies of Islam know that what is prohibited is something that is prohibited by God because of its negative effects on the heart of a Muslim. So, with their detailed plans to use what is prohibited as a 'tool' that could undermine the people of Muhammad. What’s the result? The enemies of Islam and Muslims are now getting stronger. The enemies of Islam succeed because they make subtle attack on the roots of the Muslim faith. When heart of a Muslim weak and damaged, the entire nation of Muhammad is no longer united and divided.This is the critical situation facing Muslims around the world. This looks trivial but fierce enough impact! So, what should you do? What is the solution?The first choice is alternative. To the knowledge of all Muslim friends, you actually have a lot of alternatives that can replace the drugs derived from pigs. But, many do not know and ignore the existence of these alternatives. Probably due to the lack of exposure to alternatives, then people gave reasons to use an emergency situation.Our nation was shocked by a situation when the authorities finally banned the use of drugs derived from pork after the discovery of alternative medicines that are not derived from pigs. This matter is discussed further in the information below: 'Law the uses of Fraxiparine and Clexane Drug '. Discussions of the National Council for Fatwa Islamic Affairs Malaysia to-87 time, which sat on 23 - June 25, 2009 has discussed the Law of Clexane Drug Use and Fraxiparine. 

     Discussions have concluded that: Islam prohibits the use of illegal drugs from source to treat a disease, except in cases where no drugs from legitimate sources are found and to avoid harm at the rate required only to drugs from legitimate sources are found.

Therefore, in relation to the use of drugs that are considered Clexane and Fraxiparine emergency to patients to prevent blood clotting formulation immediately when the patient is at the level of chronic. Translated decided that the use of both drugs is prohibited because it is produced from sources that are prohibited by Islam, because this time there is an alternative drug Arixtra produced from clean sources and have the same function and effectiveness of Clexane and Fraxiparine . 

Translated decision on referring to the two types of drugs derived from pigs that have been used in the treatment of blood clotting. Meanwhile, an alternative option for the treatment of drug Arixtra has been in existence since 10 years before this Muzakarah held again.Why do the authorities do not know right from the start? Is it a developed country and Malaysia did not cause alternatives that do not come to our country? Who is to blame?

        From a newspaper, I have chosen an article for government and the leaders to list quickly without medications halal certificate. KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) - Fomca asking for the list of any medications that do not get the halal certification from the. Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and the companies that have applied for the halal certificate issued medication.Director of Communications Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said the move was crucial in helping consumers avoid buying drugs that are not halal."Although no specific act on these matters the authorities and the media should play their role to make a big deal of all medications that contain non-halal," he told reporters after the round-table conference of Halal Pharmaceuticals: Issues and Challenges at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia ( IKIM) here on Tuesday.Two other presenter is a specialist pharmaceutical School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof Dr Zhari Ismail and Head of Department of Fiqh and Usul Universiti Malaya (UM) Dr. Saadan Man.

          

          Mohd Yusof said the existing guidelines on halal products, particularly that provided Jakim Halal Standard MS2424 and the presence was not enough to overcome the problem of unlawful dumping of drugs in this country.In order to ensure the problems plaguing society today does not persist, he called for specific legislation in halal products created immediately.

"Now that there are about halal is the Trade Descriptions Act, but there is no law to make sure that all products sold to Muslims must get halal certification.As long as there is no such law, as long as we are faced with the dilemma of halal products, particularly pharmaceuticals, "he said. Earlier in his speech, Mohd Yusof said the effort to create more clean of drugs also depends on the role played by the user."When people ask halal medicines and manufacturers had to obtain halal certification to enable their products purchased.

"The problem in Malaysia, many users do not care attitude about the products they buy. They are not sensitive and only received only medication prescribed to them," he said.

Hence, he said Fomca has collaborated with the Ministry of Health to provide Know Your Medicines campaign to ensure consumers are aware of the contents of medications they take.

About 30 percent of the 100 health products tested in the laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is not halal as the gelatin capsule from pigs.

The Dean Prof Dr Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman said all the products tested over the last year was sent by the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau and the product manufacturer to identify the source of gelatin that they use."Of the 100 products we tested, 30 per cent is unlawful to use gelatin from pork because it is cheaper than beef gelatin.  Meanwhile, a group of researchers led by USM Associate Professor Dr Gam Lay Harn managed to produce Malaysia's first method for identifying the sources of materials for gelatin capsules.

Dr Gam said, using techniques of protein extraction and separation of the right, the government has developed a method to identify whether the source of gelatin from cattle or pigs.

        Research was aided Zuraidah Mohd Zobir, Beow Yap Keat and Lim Chu Ai. Dr Gum said in a mixture containing 20 percent or more of pig gelatin capsules each, his 100 percent confident of detecting the gelatin content.He expects the method has won many awards in Malaysia and overseas now accepted around the world especially in Muslim countries because it involves the product clean and unclean. BERNAMAIn conclusion, you have to know about the medicine whether it is permissible or not. You need to refer to the muslim doctor.  If the non-halal medicine is the only way to cure the disease, you can use as long as it is for medication only. But, if there is another alternative way, you are totally forbidden to use the non-halal medicine. As a muslim, we know what Allah said that every disease have cure. So, there must be good medicine instead of the non-halal. So, the muslim should work harder to find out the best medicine for muslim without using the forbidden materials.