Continuing from Parts I, II and III,
Ruling on using materials to which “animal glycerine” has been added
Question:
What is the ruling on using materials to which “animal glycerine” has been added, such as toothpaste, shampoo and body moisturizers. What is the ruling on mono-glyceride and di-glyceride, which are added to some kinds of bread? Is the basic principle that one should check or ask about the source of these materials, and find out whether they are animal or vegetable? Is checking on these things regarded as a kind of going to extremes? How should we respond to those who say that the basic principle is that a thing is permissible so long as it is not mixed with anything haraam? Or those who say that religion is easy and we should not go to extremes or ask too much?
Answer:
(…)
Fifthly:
The Muslim should be careful with regard to his food, drink, clothing and all matters in his life. He should be careful to ensure that his wealth is halaal and he should be careful to ensure that what he eats and drinks are things that the Lord has permitted to him. And he should be careful in all areas of his life to ensure that none of them goes against the Qur’aan and Sunnah.
It is essential to distinguish between products that are used in daily life and meat. The basic principle in the former case is that they are permissible unless there is proof to the contrary, and the basic principle with regard to meat is that it is haraam – as stated above by Ibn al-Qayyim – unless there is evidence to the contrary.
The scholars of the Standing Committee, when asked about pork fat in some kinds of soap and toothpaste, said:
We have not heard through any trustworthy channels that some cleaning materials contain pork fat, such as Camay and Palmolive soaps and Colgate toothpaste. Rather we have only heard of that through rumours.
Secondly: the basic principle with regard to such things is that they are taahir (pure) and it is permissible to use them, until it is proven from a trustworthy source that they are mixed with pork fat or some similar impure substance which it is haraam to use. In that case it is haraam to use them. But if the news is no more than a rumour and is not proven, then it is not obligatory to avoid using it.
Thirdly: The one who has proof that the cleaning material is mixed with pork fat must avoid using it, and he must wash off whatever of it is on him. But the prayers that he offered during the time when he was using it do not have to be repeated, according to the correct scholarly opinion.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Qa’ood.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (5/385, 386).
And they said:
With regard to the manufactured cheese which many people say contains pork fat, we have no proof that it contains pork fat. The basic principle is that things are permissible, but if a person is certain that it contains pork fat or he thinks this is most likely to be the case, it is not permissible for him to use it.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Qa’ood.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (22/111)
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:
We have found some publications which say that some soap is made from pork fat. What is your opinion?
He replied:
I think that the basic principle is that everything that Allaah has created for us on earth is permissible, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“He it is Who created for you all that is on earth”
[al-Baqarah 2:29]
If someone claims that something is haraam because it is impure etc, then he must bring evidence, but believing all kinds of illusions and everything that is said makes no sense. If he says that this soap is made of pork fat, we say to him, “Bring proof.” If it is proven that most of it is made of pork fat, then we must avoid it.
Liqaa’aat al-Baab il-Maftoohah (31/question no. 10).
And Allaah knows best.
Posted by Wata 
Wata - Malaysian Oil and Gas Engineer 