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Source	Hanafi	Maliki	Shafiʿi	Hanbal
Cow (Islamically slaughtered) (including its skin, bones, connective tissue)	✅ Halal	✅ Halal	✅ Halal	✅ Halal
Cow (non- Islamically slaughtered) (including its skin, connective tissue)	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*
Cow hide (non- Islamically slaughtered animal that has undergone the tanning process**)	❌Majority consider haram to consume* Note: Tanned cow hide/skin is considered legally pure (tahir) and halal to use generally (e.g. shoes and furniture) but not to consume.	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume* Note: Tanned cow hide/skin is considered legally pure (tahir) and halal to use generally (e.g. shoes and furniture) but not to consume.	❌Majority consider haram to consume*
Dry bone of any halāl animal e.g. cow or sheep (non- Islamically slaughtered)	✅ Halal Some scholars say this would be permissible (because there is no blood in dry bone).	❌Haram Maliki scholars consider bones legally impure (najis) unless taken from an Islamically slaughtered animal.	❌Haram	❌Haram Hanbali scholars consider bones legally impure (najis) unless taken from an Islamically slaughtered animal.
Sheep (Islamically slaughtered)	✅ Halal	✅ Halal	✅ Halal	✅ Halal
Sheep (non- Islamically slaughtered)	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*
Pig	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*	❌Majority consider haram to consume*
Fish	✅ Halal	✅ Halal	✅ Halal	✅ Halal

*However, there is a difference of opinion as some scholars say if the gelatin undergoes transformation (istihala), it may be considered legally pure (tahir) and permissible (halal ). Others do not agree that transformation (istihala) takes place. This allows for some flexibility.¹

** Tanning process – the process that treats the collagen in animal skin and hides with a chemical agent to make leather²

Istihala is the complete chemical transformation of a legally impure (najis) substance into a completely new substance that is considered legally pure (tahir). The latter substance no longer retains the chemical properties of its former state (i.e. there has been a change of the original substance in form, colour, smell, taste, nature, effect, name, use, properties and is irreversible). The substance can undergo this chemical change through scientific or natural means.³ An example of istihala includes turning wine into vinegar.⁴
For more detailed information on istihala, you can refer to this e-book.

There is a difference of opinion amongst scholars on whether gelatin sourced from animals, such as sheep and cows, that are not Islamically slaughtered is halal : 

• If the source of gelatin is from hide and undergoes the tanning process – some scholars say this would be halal  to use generally (e.g. for making footwear and furniture) as it is considered legally pure (tahir), but would be haram to consume.⁵
• If the source of gelatin is from dry bone –  some scholars say this would be permissible (because there is no blood in dry bone) ⁵

There is a difference of opinion amongst scholars on whether animal gelatin undergoes transformation (istihala). However, most of the contemporary scholars declare animal gelatin as haram because: 

• It is difficult to establish the source of gelatin – it is usually derived from porcine (pig) or an animal that is not Islamically slaughtered (dhabihah) ⁶
• The chemical change that takes place during the manufacturing processes of gelatin is considered insignificant –  the collagen in porcine (pig) (i.e. the former substance) is almost chemically identical to gelatin (i.e. the latter substance)^{5 7 8 9}

Islamic authority	Porcine (pig) gelatin	Bovine (cow) gelatin (not Islamically slaughtered)	Bovine (cow) gelatin (Islamically slaughtered)
Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA)	❌Haram	❌Haram	✅ Halal
Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt)	✅ Halal  (based on transformation), varied opinion	✅ Halal (based on transformation)	✅ Halal
European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR)	✅ Halal  (based on transformation), varied opinion	✅ Halal (based on transformation)	✅ Halal
Islamic Food & Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA)	❌Haram	❌Haram	✅ Halal
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)	❌Haram	❌Haram	✅ Halal
International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA)	❌Haram	❌Haram	✅ Halal
The Islamic Fiqh Academy of India (Resolution 66.1)	✅ Halal (based on transformation), varied opinion, but majority Ifta’s in Indo-Pak subcontinent consider it haram)	✅ Halal	✅ Halal
JAKIM (Malaysia)	❌Haram	❌Haram	✅ Halal
Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) – Islamic Religious Council of Singapore	❌Haram	❌Haram	✅ Halal
Muslim Judicial Council (South Africa)	❌Haram	❌Haram	✅ Halal
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta’	❌Haram	❌Haram	✅ Halal

<— go back to ‘Gelatin in medicines’ page

1. Comprehensive List of 40 Animal-Derived Excipients in Medication by Shaykh Dr Rafaqat Rashid  ↩︎
2. Benedict Nnachi Alum (2024). Tannins and Leather: Chemistry, Tanning Processes, and Environmental Impacts. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES, 5(3):33-37. https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJSES/2024/10.5.333337  ↩︎
3. Siddiqi, Nasrullah. (2020). Comparative Study of Istihalah Shariah and Chemical Changes. WHS 2020. 89-94. Accessed 27.1.2025 from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354339446_Comparative_Study_of_Istihalah_Shariah_And_Chemical_Changes  ↩︎
4. Jamaludin, Mohammad & Ramli, Mohd Anuar & Hashim, D.M. & Ab Rahman, Suhaimi. (2012). Fiqh Istihalah: Integration of Science and Islamic Law. Revelation and Science. 2. 49-55. Accessed 27.1.2025 from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2014957/ ↩︎
5. Al Balagh Academy Fiqh of Other Haram Ingredients and Excipients by Mufti Sarfaraz ↩︎
6. Guidelines for the Permissibility of Gelatin in Islamic Jurisprudence by Shaykh Dr Rafaqat Rashid  ↩︎
7. Encyclopaedia of food colour additives, Burdock (1997) vol. 1 pg.1165 ↩︎
8. Encyclopaedia of Pharmaceutical technology, J. Swarbick (2007) pg. 1883 ↩︎
9. Hides and Skin for the tanning industry, Leach (1995) pg. 65  ↩︎
10. Siddiqi, Nasrullah. (2020). Comparative Study of Istihalah Shariah and Chemical Changes. WHS 2020. 89-94. Accessed 27.1.2025 from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354339446_Comparative_Study_of_Istihalah_Shariah_And_Chemical_Changes ↩︎

Note: Some organisations may have multiple websites or online representations. The links below are based on the most referenced official sites.

• Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta (Saudi Arabia) – official Saudi body responsible for issuing fatwas and conducting Islamic research under the supervision of the Council of Senior Scholars.

• Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA) – an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established to provide Islamic jurisprudential guidance to Muslims living in the west 

• Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt) – Egypt’s official Islamic legal research centre, issuing fatwas and providing guidance on Islamic law 
• European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) The 23rd Ordinary Session of The European Council for Fatwa and Research final statements – ECFR provides collective juristic opinions (fatwas) to address the needs of Muslims in Europe, facilitating their integration while preserving their Islamic identity
• Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) Gelatin: Manufacturing, Uses, Health Affects, and Issues of Halal/Haram – IFANCA is a global leader in halal certification, providing services to industries and consumers to ensure compliance with halal standards
• Indonesian Ulema Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia – MUI) – MUI is the top Islamic clerical body in Indonesia, responsible for issuing fatwas and providing guidance on Islamic matters to Indonesian Muslims
• International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) Transmutation and Dilution of Additives in Food and Medication – IIFA is a universal scholarly organization and a subsidiary organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
• The Islamic Fiqh Academy of India – deliberates on contemporary issues to provide juristic decisions relevant to the Indian Muslim community
• Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) – the Malaysian government agency responsible for Islamic affairs, including halal certification and the issuance of fatwas
• Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) – Islamic Religious Council of Singapore – MUIS oversees the administration of Muslim affairs in Singapore, including halal certification, mosque management, and issuing fatwas
• Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) (South Africa) – MJC serves the Muslim community in South Africa by providing religious guidance, halal certification, and dispute resolution