Would This Non-alcoholic Craft Beer Be Lawful?

Question

Upstreet Craft Brewing, out of PEI, has announced the launch of a new line of non-alcoholic craft beers under the brand name Libra. After two years of research and development, the brewery developed a method of creating a non-alcoholic beer that does not rob it of its craft beer appeal. “It’s essentially brewed the same way as our other alcoholic beer with the addition of small but important tweaks throughout the process,” said Head Brewer and Co-Owner Mike Hogan, “these changes ensure the beer doesn’t ferment past 0.4% alcohol while still allowing for full-body flavors because we are not de-alcoholizing the beer like in traditional methods.”

Since it doesn’t ferment past 0.4%, would it be Halal, or is that 0.4% still filthy (najas)?

Answer

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

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

Even a tiny amount of alcohol in the beer is considered filth and impermissible to consume. Moreover, products that imitate intoxicants glorify what Allah has prohibited and should be boycotted by Muslims, and Allah knows best.

Stay Away

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Khamr (wine) was forbidden in and of itself.” [Nasa’i]

Allah says: “O believers! Wine, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful.” [Quran, 5:90]

Note that Allah says, “shun them (fajtanibuh),” meaning, stay far away from them. Products that seek to bring people as close to “the real thing” as possible defy the Quranic injunction in the above verse, and Allah knows best.

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.