Purity: Ruling on Using Kefir (kafīr) Containing Small Amounts of Alcohol

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Purity: Ruling on Using Kefir (kafīr) Containing Small Amounts of Alcohol

English:

Question #305:

There is a substance called ‘kafīr’ which is used in food and medical industries, and during fermentation 5% to 8% alcohol is found in the produced material, and this small quantity of alcohol does not cause any kind of intoxication. Is there any problem from the shar‘ī viewpoint in using this substance?

Answer #305:

If the alcohol present in the product is intoxicating by itself, it is ḥarām to be consumed and, by obligatory caution, najis, even if it is not intoxicating for the consumer due to its small quantity and its being mixed with the produced item. But if there is a doubt as to its being intoxicant in itself or as to its being originally a liquid, the rule is different.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Ruling of Intoxicants