Is it okay to drink bone broth made from the bones of an animal that wasn’t killed according to Sharia (non-halal meat)?
For Muslims adhering to halal dietary guidelines, checking ingredients on food labels becomes second nature. Between gelatin, enzymes, flavorings and more, determining what meets Islamic standards takes diligence. One question that often arises is whether common beef stock and broths qualify as halal.
In this article, we’ll examine how beef stocks and broths are made, key differences between them, and factors that impact their halal status. Whether you are avoiding pork and alcohol or following a fully halal diet, this breakdown can help inform your purchasing choices.
Halal Dietary Guidelines for Meat Products
First, let’s review the basic criteria that make meat permissible under Islamic law:
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Must come from an acceptable halal animal species – cattle, goat, sheep, chicken, etc. Pork is haram (impermissible).
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Animal must be slaughtered through ritual zabihah cutting the throat – not stunned prior to death.
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Must invoke Allah’s name during slaughter.
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Blood must be completely drained from the meat.
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Cannot contain any alcohol, pork derivatives like lard or gelatin, or other najis (impure) ingredients.
When sourced from properly slaughtered halal cattle and made without alcohol or pork-based ingredients, beef stock can potentially qualify as halal. But variables in production make close inspection essential.
Key Differences Between Beef Stock and Broth
While often used interchangeably, stock and broth vary in preparation and ingredients:
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Beef stock – Made from bones meat, and vegetables simmered for hours. Provides richer mouthfeel.
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Beef broth – Made from meat and vegetables simmered relatively briefly. Tends to be lighter tasting.
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Bone broth – Simmered for 24+ hours to extract nutrients from bones. Doesn’t usually contain meat.
Stocks utilize more bones and therefore have higher gelatin content from collagen. Broths focus more on meat. But terms are sometimes used loosely, so check the label.
Why Gelatin Matters for Halal Status
Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen extracted from animal bones and connective tissue. It is commonly used as a thickener and stabilizer in stock and broth.
Gelatin can come from cattle or pigs. Porcine gelatin is not halal. But in some interpretations, beef gelatin is acceptable if the cattle are slaughtered properly. Standards vary between certifying organizations.
Stocks emphasize bone used, so they are more likely to contain gelatin. Check the ingredient list for “beef gelatin” versus just “gelatin” which could be porcine. Call the manufacturer if uncertain.
Other Ingredients That Can Compromise Halal Status
Aside from gelatin source, stocks and broths may contain other problematic ingredients like:
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Wine or brandy – Sometimes used for flavoring but render product haram.
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Pork-based flavors – Natural or artificial flavorings can include pork extracts or pork enzyme rennet and make product haram.
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Shared equipment – Stocks produced on lines also used for pork or alcohol products may be considered by some to be contaminated.
When purchasing packaged stocks and broths, diligent label reading is essential to watch for these ingredients. When dining out, discuss with your server to understand preparation and potential cross-contamination.
Tips for Choosing Halal-Friendly Beef Stocks and Broths
When shopping, look for:
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Clear labeling of “halal” or “halal-certified”
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Specific indication of “beef gelatin”, not just “gelatin”
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No alcohol, pork, or pork extracts/enzymes in the ingredients
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Produced in a halal-dedicated facility if avoiding any cross-contamination
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Trusted Islamic certifying agency symbol like HFCE, ISWA Halal, etc.
Homemade beef stock using bones from properly slaughtered halal cattle and free of alcohol is another good option for control over ingredients.
Are All Beef Stocks and Broths Halal?
No, not necessarily. The potential inclusion of pork-based gelatin, shared equipment with pork production, alcohol flavorings, and other factors mean close inspection is required when choosing stocks and broths.
Ideally, purchase products marked as certified halal by a recognized Islamic agency. When dining out or using commercial products, discuss preparation and research brands to feel confident they meet halal standards.
While it takes some diligence, beef stocks and broths can certainly be part of a halal lifestyle. Arm yourself with information, read labels thoroughly, and look for halal certification to identify options compliant with your religious dietary needs.
Ruling on selling dead meat
According to al-Bukhari (2236) and Muslim (1581), Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say in Makkah during the year of the conquest, “Allah and His Messenger have forbidden the sale and purchase of alcohol, dead meat, pork, and idols.” This means that you can’t buy or sell dead meat. ”.
So it is not permissible for the Muslim to buy any part of dead animals, bones or otherwise.
Thirdly:
The impurity (najasah) of the bones of dead animals
Many scholars say that the bones and flesh of dead animals are not pure (najis). However, Hanafi scholars and Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah say that they are pure (tahir), assuming that they are free of all flesh, fat, moisture, and grease.
According to the view of the majority, the broth made from these bones is impure (najis).
The book Zad al-Mustaqni’ says that all parts of a dead animal are dirty, except for the hair and other parts.
It includes the wool of sheep, the hair of camels, the feathers of birds, the hair of goats and cattle, and other things like that. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said this.
Exempted from that are the following:
1. In the view of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him), the bones of dead animals. This is also one of the two views of the Hanbali madhhab. People say that the fact that bones can feel pain and other things shows that they don’t really have life because blood doesn’t flow through them and a bone can’t have life unless it is part of the body is proof of this. So it’s not like the rest of the body; it’s like hair, nails, etc.
One could also say that blood is the best way to tell if a part of the body is pure or not, and living things that don’t have circulatory systems are thought to be pure.
The Hanbali madhhab seems to have the right view on this matter, though, because the difference between bones and living things that don’t have a circulatory system is that the latter are free-living things, while bones are considered dirty because they connect to the rest of the body. Moreover, bones can feel pain, so they are not like nails or hair. Also, the idea that blood doesn’t flow through bones isn’t always true, since some bones show signs of blood being there. “(Ash-Sharh al-Mumti‘ (1/93).
It is not okay to buy dead animal bones, cook them, and drink their broth. This is true whether the bone is whole and stays that way, or if it is ground up and broth is made from the powder that is sold dried, and so on.
And Allah knows best.
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Source: Islam Q&A
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FAQ
What beef stock is halal?
Is Campbell’s beef stock halal?
Is beef stock actually beef?
Is Knorr beef stock halal?
What should be known about halal meat?
Here’s what you need to know about halal meat. According to Islamic dietary laws, meat from cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry is considered halal. Unlike Jewish kosher dietary laws, halal laws allow the eating of shellfish and crustaceans, land birds such as ostriches, and camel meat.
Is beef halal?
Certain cuts and organs are considered impermissible: So popular beef cuts like steaks, roasts and ground beef are fine, while other parts like the intestines must be avoided. In order for beef to be Halal, it must be slaughtered in a specific manner known as Dhabiha. This method of slaughter aims to minimize animal suffering.
What are halal stocks?
Halal stocks are stocks in companies that employ halal practices. Under the Islamic precepts of Shariah, investors are allowed to invest money in the stock market if certain criteria are met. If a person invests in halal stocks, any money he or she makes from these investments is also considered to be halal.
Is camel meat halal?
According to Islamic dietary laws, camel meat is permissible. Unlike Jewish kosher laws, halal laws allow the eating of shellfish and crustaceans, land birds such as ostriches, and camel meat. What meat is not considered halal?