Is Soya Sauce Permissible to Consume in Shafi’i School?

Question

I would like to know if naturally brewed soya sauce is lawful in the Shafi‘i School. The process of making soya sauce includes the fermentation of soya beans and wheat. During this process, the sugars break down and turn into 2-3 % alcohol. Does this make it unlawful for Shafi‘i followers to consume?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

The more precautious view is that this type of Soya Sauce is impermissible to consume, especially since there are now alcohol-free alternatives widely available, and Allah knows best.

The Shafi‘i School is the most conservative regarding liquid intoxicants. According to the Shafi‘i School, liquid intoxicants are considered filth and impermissible to consume, even in small amounts.

Other Schools, such as the Hanafi School, holds alternative views.

Every Intoxicant is Wine

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Every intoxicant is considered a type of wine, and all types of wine are unlawful.” [Ibn Hibban]

Liquid intoxicants (muskirat) are unlawful to consume and considered filth. This ruling applies to those that are ethyl and methyl-based alcohols.

Beer, wine and other consumed alcohols fall under this ruling and are considered filth in the Shafi‘i School. This unlawfulness applies to even one drop of a liquid intoxicant. [Dimyati, I‘ana al-Talibin]

All beverages that contain ethanol-based alcohol are unlawful to consume. If a particular sauce contains alcohol, then it would be unlawful to consume it no matter what the amount. However, untraceable amounts would be overlooked.

Though, we would strongly advise people to conduct proper and thorough research on what ingredients go into a particular food item before concluding its permissibility. Many people have inaccurate information regarding alcohol being in certain widely consumed foods and drinks and have been the cause of confusion for many of our brothers and sisters.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.