This page provides a comprehensive list of ingredients that are deemed halal, haram, or have conditional terms, according to Shi’a Fiqh. You may browse or use the search bar to find an item. If there are any items missing or inaccurate, please contact us.
A
- Acetic Acid
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
(AKA E260)
- Adipic Acid
- Halal
- Agar Agar
- Halal
- Ahlul Kitab Slaughtered Meat
- Haram
- Allantoin
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Allis Shad Fish
- Halal
- Anchovy fish
- Halal
(AKA Anchovies)
- Antelope
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Apes
- Haram
(AKA monkey, gorilla, etc)
- Apocarotenal
- Plant-derived but the production process involves gelatin or lard.
–
If lard is used: Haram
If haram gelatin is used: Haram
If halal gelatin is used: Halal
Unknown production: Halal
(AKA C30, E160e)
- Apple Cider
- Non-alcoholic: Halal – predominantly in North America. Simply pressed apples.
Alcoholic: Haram – predominantly outside North America. Fermented alcoholic drink.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Halal
- Arugula
- Halal
B
- Ballerus Fish
- Halal
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Contains natural alcohol due to fermentation process: Halal
Contains najis alcohol manually added during production: Haram
Contains non-najis alcohol manually added during production: Halal if absorbed into the food during production
Unknown Alcohol Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Barbel Barbus FIsh
- Halal
- Barley Malt Extract
- Halal
- Barramundi Fish
- Halal
- Basa Fish
- Haram
- Bass Fish
- Halal
- Bat
- Haram
- Bear
- Haram
- Beer Batter Fish
- Haram
- Big Eye Catalufe Fish
- Halal
- Birds of Prey
- Haram
(AKA eagle, hawk, buzzard, harrier, osprey, owl, falcon, vulture, etc)
- Bitterling Fish
- Halal
- Black Bass Fish
- Halal
- Bleak Fish
- Halal
- Boar
- Haram
- Bovine
- Term refers to ‘cow’
–
Zabiha Cow Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Cow Source: Haram
Unknown Cow Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Bream Fish
- Halal
- Brill Fish
- Halal
- Buffalo
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Butter Fish
- Halal
C
- Camel
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Carbon Black
- Plant Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal
(AKA E153)
- Carmine
- Ingredient made from haram insects
—
Raw or unprocessed form: Haram
—
Istihala (transformation) takes place during production, and it loses it’s original form in the eyes of the people, OR it is added in a minimal amount that is absorbed into the food: Halal
–
(AKA Cochineal, natural red 4, E120, crimson lake)
- Carp Fish
- Halal
- Carrageenan
- Halal
- Casein
- Plant Source: Halal
Halal Animal Source: Halal
Haram Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal
- Cat
- Haram
- Catfish
- Haram
- Caviar
- Halal Fish Source: Halal
Haram Fish Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Cheese
- Cheese contains enzymes and/or rennet
–
Refer to ‘Rennet’ and ‘Enzymes’ sections for more details
- Chicken
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Chocolate Liqueur
- Haram
(Different from ‘Chocolate Liquor’ which is Halal)
- Chocolate Liquor
- Halal
(Different from ‘Chocolate Liquer’ which is Haram)
- Chub Fish
- Halal
- Clam
- Haram
- Coal Fish
- Halal
- Cod Fish
- Halal
- Collagen
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Halal Fish Source: Halal
Haram Fish Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal
- Common Nose Fish
- Halal
- Confectioner’s Glaze
- Confectioner’s Glaze is primarily produced from Shellac, which is haram.
–
Plant or Vegetable Source: Halal
Shellac Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
–
(AKA food grade glaze, pharmaceutical glaze, resinous glaze)
Not necessarily the same as doughnut glaze
- Corn Syrup
- Halal
(AKA Dextrose)
- Cow
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
(AKA beef, veal)
- Crab
- Haram
- Crawfish
- Haram
(AKA Crayfish)
- Cream of Tartar
- Haram – biproduct of wine-making barrels
(AKA potassium bitartrate)
(Different from Tartar Sauce)
- Crocodile
- Haram
D
- Dace Fish
- Halal
- Danube Roach Fish
- Halal
- Deer
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Diglyceride
- Plant Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Disodium Inosinate
- Plant Source: Halal
Alcohol Source: Haram
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
(AKA Disodium 5-Inosinate, Sodium 5-Inosinate, IMP, E631)
- Dog
- Haram
- Dolphin
- Haram
- Donkey
- Zabiha Animal Source: Makruh
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Duck
- Zabiha Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
E
- Eel
- Haram
- Elephant
- Haram
- Enzymes
- Plant Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
(AKA chymosin, chymotrypsin, trypsin, catalase)
- Erythritol
- Halal
- Ethyl Alcohol
- Ay. Sistani:
Trace amounts as a product ingredient: Halal
Larger amounts: Haram
–
All other Maraja:
Najis and Haram
(AKA Ethanol)
F
- Fish Oil
- Halal Fish Source: Halal
Non-Halal Fish Source: Haram
Unknown Fish Source: Haram
- Fish Sauce
- Generally produced with anchovy
—
Halal Fish Source: Halal
Haram Fish Source: Haram
Unknown Fish Source: Haram
- Fish with Partial Scales
- Halal
- Flounder Fish
- Halal
- Food from those who don’t pay khums
- Not a valid judgement to make. A person’s food is not deemed impermissible solely upon this criteria, and you are not allowed to ask.
- Fox
- Haram
- Frog
- Haram
G
- Gelatin
- Plant Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Halal Fish Source: Halal
Chemical Transformation (Istihala): Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Haram Fish/Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
–
Prescription Medicine with gelatin capsule: Halal if no alternative available
Non-prescription (vitamins, supplements etc) with gelatin capsule: Haram, find an alternative
–
(Ay. Khoei considers all gelatin halal based on istihala)
(Ay. Sistani leaves the judgement whether or not the transformation was sufficient upon the individual.)
(AKA Gelatine)
- Gilt Head Fish
- Halal
- Giraffe
- Haram (based on Ihtiyat)
- Glycerin
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
(AKA Glycerine, E422, Glycerol)
- Goat
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Gochujang
- Alcohol is produced during fermentation.
–
Ay. Sistani:
Trace amounts of alcohol: Halal
Larger amounts: Haram
–
All other Maraja: Najis and Haram
- Gold
- Gold Foil: Halal to consume in small amounts
Solid Gold Tableware: Haram to use to eat or drink. Includes spoons, forks, plates, cups, etc
Gold Plated Tableware: Halal to use to eat or drink.
- Grape Jam
- Halal
- Grape Juice
- Unfermented Grape Juice: Halal
Fermented Grape Juice: Haram
Unknown Fermentation Status: Advisable to avoid. Suspect due to likely fermentation during production.
- Grasshoppers
- Haram
- Gravy
- Plant or Vegetable Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Grayling Fish
- Halal
- Guar Gum
- Halal
(AKA Guaran)
H
- Haddock Fish
- Halal
- Halibut Fish
- Halal
- Hemp Seed
- Halal
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Halal
- Herring Fish
- Halal
- Horse
- Zabiha Animal Source: Makruh
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
I
- Iguana
- Haram
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Imitation Crab
- Made from processed fish of various types
–
Halal Fish Source: Halal
Haram Fish Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
–
Crab Extract is commonly used for flavor. If so: Haram
- Insects
- Raw or unprocessed form: Haram
—
Istihala (transformation) takes place during production, and it loses it’s original form in the eyes of the people, OR it is added in a minimal amount that is absorbed into the food: Halal
—
Excludes Locusts, halal as an exception
K
- Kangaroo
- Haram (based on Ihtiyat)
- Kidney
- Makruh
- Kingfish Fish
- Halal
- Kombucha Tea
- Alcohol is produced during fermentation.
–
Ay. Sistani:
Trace amounts of alcohol: Halal
Larger amounts: Haram
–
All other Maraja: Najis and Haram
- Kosher Ingredients
- Not equivalent to halal
- Kosher Meat
- Haram
- Krill
- Haram
- Krill Oil
- Haram
L
- Lactic Acid
- Halal
- Lanolin
- Halal
(AKA wool fat, wool wax, wool grease)
- Lard
- Haram
- Lecithin
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
(AKA E322)
- Lipase
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Liver
- Makruh
- Lizard
- Haram
- Lobster
- Haram
- Locust
- Halal
M
- Machine Slaughtered Meat
- Halal
(as long as Islamic guidelines are followed and/or certified)
- Mackerel Fish
- Halal
- Mahi Mahi Fish
- Halal
- Maquerel Fish
- Halal
- Marijuana
- Prescription Use: Halal
Voluntary Non-prescription Use: Haram
Recreational use: Haram
External application (ointments, lotions, etc): Halal
(AKA weed)
–
Visit al-m.ca/marijuana for more info
- Marsala Wine
- Haram
- Marshmallow
- Usually contains gelatin. See ‘Gelatin’ section for guidelines on permissibility
- Medicine with Haram Ingredients
- Prescription Medicine: Find an alternative product. If no alternatives are available, then it is permissible.
Voluntary Non-prescription (vitamins, supplements etc): Haram, find an alternative.
- Methylparaben
- Halal
(AKA E218)
- Minnow Fish
- Halal
- Mollusk
- Haram
- Monoglyceride
- Plant Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Monosodium glutamate
- Halal
(AKA MSG, E621)
- Mouthwash
- Most mouthwash contain alcohol.
–
Ay. Sistani: Considers it haram but not najis, therefore you may gargle and rinse with water afterwards, without any swallowing.
–
All other maraja: Haram and najis. Thoroughly rinse your mouth 3 times if used.
- Mule
- Zabiha Animal Source: Makruh
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Mullet Fish
- Halal
- Mussels
- Haram
N
- Nutmeg
- Halal
O
- Octopus
- Haram
- Ostrich
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Oxtail
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Oyster
- Haram
- Oyster Sauce
- Haram
P
- Parabens
- Halal
- Peacock
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Pectin
- Halal
- Pepsin
- Haram
- Perch Fish
- Halal
- Pigeon
- Halal
- Pikeperch Fish
- Halal
- Pilchard Fish
- Halal
- Pollock Fish
- Halal
- Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids
- Plant Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
(AKA PGE, E475)
- Polysorbate
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
(AKA Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 40, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 80)
- Polyvinyl Alcohol
- Halal
- Pomfret Fish
- Halal
- Pond Loach Fish
- Halal
- Pope Fish
- Halal
- Porgy Fish
- Halal
- Pork
- Haram
(AKA pig, ham, swine, hog, porcine, pancetta, sow)
- Prawn
- Halal
- Propylene Glycol
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Propylparaben
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Q
- Quail
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
R
- Rabbit
- Haram
- Red Snapper Fish
- Halal
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Halal
- Rennet
- Plant Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Haram Animal Source: Haram
Non-Zabiha Halal Animal Source: if extracted in a liquid or semi-liquid form (moderm production methods): Halal
Non-Zabiha Halal Animal Source: if extracted in a solid or semi-solid form (traditional production methods): Haram unless it is washed
Unknown Source: Halal
(AKA Rennin)
- Reptiles
- Haram
- Rice Vinegar
- Halal
- Rice Wine
- Ay. Sistani:
Trace amounts as a product ingredient: Halal
Larger amounts: Haram
–
All other Maraja: Najis and Haram
- Rice Wine Vinegar
- Halal
- Roach Fish
- Halal
- Rodents
- Haram
(AKA rats, mouse, hamster, etc)
- Rooibos Tea
- Halal
- Rudd Fish
- Halal
- Ruffe Fish
- Halal
S
- Salmon Fish
- Halal
- Sander Fish
- Halal
- Sardine Fish
- Halal
- Scavenger Birds
- Haram
(AKA vulture, crow, buzzard, condor, etc)
- Sea Bass Fish
- Halal
- Seaweed
- Halal
- Shark
- Haram
- Shellac
- Haram
- Shellfish
- Haram
- Shortening
- ‘Pure Vegetable Shortening’: Halal
‘Vegetable Shortening’: Suspect. Labelling laws only require the predominant ingredient to be mentioned, even if animal sources are included.
- Shrimp
- Halal
- Silver
- Silver Foil: Halal to consume in small amounts
Solid Silver Tableware: Haram to use to eat or drink. Includes spoons, forks, plates, cups, etc
Silver Plated Tableware: Halal to use to eat or drink.
- Skipjack Tuna Fish
- Halal
- Smelt Fish
- Halal
- Smoking
- Ay Makarim Shirazi: Haram
–
Ay Khomeini: Those who are addicted may continue, non-smokers cannot start
–
All other Maraja: If one considers cigarettes harmful, then it’s haram (onus on the individual)
–
Same rulings apply to e-cigarettes (AKA e-cigs, vaping, vape, etc)
- Snail
- Haram
- Snake
- Haram
(AKA Viper, Rattlesnake, Cobra, Mamba, etc)
- Soda Pop
- Halal
(AKA Pepsi, Coca Cola, etc)
- Soil
- Haram
(AKA dirt, earth)
- Sole Fish
- Halal
- Soy Sauce
- Halal
(AKA Soya Sauce)
- Spirit Vinegar
- Halal
- Squid
- Haram
- Stearic Acid
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Halal but advisable to avoid
- Stingray
- Haram
- Sugar Alcohol
- Halal
- Swordfish
- Haram
T
- Tapioca
- Halal
- Tartar Sauce
- Halal
(Different from Cream of Tartar)
- Tartrazine
- Halal
(AKA Yellow 5, E102, Yellow no. 5)
- Taurine
- Plant or Chemical Source: Halal
Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Dairy Source: Halal
Halal Fish Source: Halal
Haram Fish Source: Haram
Unknown: Better to avoid
- Tench Fish
- Halal
- Tilapia Fish
- Halal
- Trout Fish
- Halal
- Truffle
- Halal
- Tuna Fish
- Halal
- Turkey
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Turtle
- Haram
V
- Vanilla Extract
- Natural Vanilla Extract: Haram
Artificial Vanilla Extract: Halal
–
Ay. Sistani:
Trace Amounts of Natural Vanilla Extract as a product ingredient: Halal
Larger amounts: Haram
- Vanillin
- Halal
W
- Whale
- Haram
- Whey
- Produced with Pepsin: Haram
Produced with Rennet: Refer to ‘Rennet’ section for more details
Unknown production: Better to avoid
(AKA Whey Protein, Whey Powder)
- White FIsh
- Halal
- Wine Vinegar
- Halal
- Worm
- Haram
Y
- Yak
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
Z
- Zander Fish
- Halal
- Zebra
- Zabiha Animal Source: Halal
Non-Zabiha Animal Source: Haram
Unknown Source: Haram
- Zope Fish
- Halal
JazakAllah Khair, this is so helpful. Much appreciated May Allah SBH reward u all for ur hard work.
Thank you for a very important and useful guide
Mashallah great complied work. Excellent
This is a wonderful guide to what we can and cannot eat . Very useful very important! Thankyou so much.
Thank you for taking the time to compile this very useful list. May Allah reward you.
🙏Jazakallah Khair for this useful information.
This is brilliant! JazakAllah khair for the hard work and efforts in getting this info to us in such an easy and user-friendly format.
JazakAllah Khair, very important and useful guide
Jazakallah.very useful information May ALLAH BLESS u all.
Thank you, this is really useful. May Allah bless you for your efforts.
Is there somewhere we can ask, if there’s something missing on here – and the list to then be updated?
Thank you 🙏🏼
We all needed this .
JazakAllah Khair, very much needed, excellent work, may Allah swt bless you and give you all strength to continue with this effort and also tremendous work on Halal Restaurants MashAllah!!!
Jazakallah Kheir. Very helpful guide. Allah will reward you for your guidance. Ameen.
salaam, this is such an amazing resource that I’ve used so many times. Clean, crisp, simple. I’d say if you could have a better link because I can never find it in my bookmarks and can’t memorize it so I always have to go to my starred messages on Whatsapp. Even search “halal guide” on Google or my bookmarks doesn’t find it.
Amazing to see!
Thank You for this list
Aoa, very useful info. JazakAllah many times.
Salaam, Mashallah very helpful and user friendly. Need of time.
great guide, jazakAllah khair
Excellent guide. Thanks and jazakallah for the hard work.
Amazing very helpful.
Brilliant work
Very much appreciated
Jazakallah
As-salam alaikum. This is an excellent piece of guidance for Momineen. Jazakullah Khair.
Mashallah very informative