GMO foods
Question:-
My research has noted that there are differing views on this. From a health perspective there are supporters of it as well as those that are against it. Similarly from a Fatwa perspective I have seen differing views from ulema as to whether GMO foods are Halaal. Currently in south Africa, 85% of maize, 95% of soy and 100% of cotton are GMO. Extracts from these such as corn syrup, soy, etc. are used widely in the manufacturing of food products, chocolates, etc. Even the active ingredient ascorbic acid which is found in most commercial Vitamin C supplements is derived from GMO corn. In simple terms, the only way to really avoid GMO foods is to avoid all commercial food products and grow your own food.
Quran talks about consuming foods that are Halaal and Tayyib. Are the concepts all Halaal and Tayyib distinct i.e. food can be Halaal but not Tayyib, or do both terms always need to be assessed together when determining whether food is permissible for consumption? If distinct, will one be sinful if one consumes food that is not Tayyib, seeing that Quran tells us to consume that which is tayyib?
Answer:-
1. If the gene of a crop is isolated, and thereafter grown on a Halaal growth medium, then the crop grown from the said gene, which is referred to as a ‘new trait’, will be considered as “Halaal”. In conclusion, if genetically Halaal material is used in producing genetically modified organisms, then it will be Halaal, otherwise not.
2. ‘Halaal’ refers to that which Allah Taála has made permissible. ‘Tayyib’ refers to that food which another person doesn’t have any right in. Hassan Basri Rahimahullah stated, “I wish I have absolutely pure food so that I may distribute it amongst the ill that are lying in hospital, as Allah Taála has kept cure in Halaal food,”. [Re:- Zakheeratul Jinaan Pg.337 Vol.13]
Mufti Shafi Saheb Rahimahullah has stated that “Tayyib” refers to that which is pure. Whatever has been made Haraam in Shariah is neither pure, nor is it good for human consumption. In conclusion, “Tayyib” refers to those Halaal food items that are pure externally, as well as internally. [Re:- Maáriful Quraan Pg. 316 Vol.6]
Some of the current day Mashaaikh have stated that ‘Tayyib’ refers to wholesome food. If we apply this definition, then unhealthy food will be excluded from the category of “Tayyib”. This, in essence, means that the actual food item is “Halaal” as the ingredients are Halaal, but it will not be considered as “Tayyib” due to it not being wholesome. Keeping the above two definitions in mind, one will not be sinful for consuming food that is not categorized as ‘Tayyib’, as the reality is that the food item is Halaal.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 13 Jumadal Ukhra 1443 / 16 January 2022