Alcoholic Content in Soft Drinks

Answered by Sidi Salman Younas

Question: I was told from a few friends that soft drinks such as 7up, Dr. Pepper, and Crush all had some sort of alcohol. Are we still allowed to drink them? My heart tells me that even a drop of alcohol is impermissible and we aren’t allowed to drink it.

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

I pray you are well.

It would be permitted to consume drinks that have incidental traces of non-wine alcohol as long as:

a. It is not being used to intoxicate,
b. Not being used as intoxicants are used,
c. Not being used in an amount that intoxicates, and
d. Not being being used for vain purposes.

This is based on the position of Abu Hanifa and has been adopted by leading scholars of our time due to the widespread use of non-wine alcohol in both food items and external products (such as soaps or lotions).

As for wine, namely alcohol derived from the fermentation of grapes and dates, it is impermissible to consume in any amount as established by clear primary texts.

Wassalam
Salman

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani