Reason codes: putting the classifications into practice

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R1 – General Halal Status

CodeSource Type

Source Known?Key Reason for Ruling

Scholarly OpinionClassification

R1A

Non-animal derived, or from Islamically slaughtered animals, and free from intoxicating ethanol concentrationKnown

No Confirmed Prohibited Content:
To the best of our knowledge and based on current data, there is no evidence confirming the presence of any prohibited substances or impurities.
Permissible — with universal scholarly agreement🟩 Halal (Green)

R2-Animal Derived

Code

Source Type

Source Known?

Key Reason for RulingScholarly
Opinion
Classification

R2A

Bovine bone gelatin or non-gelatinKnown- bone sourceMajority Opinion:
The majority of scholars hold that bones do not carry flowing blood and therefore are not subject to the requirement of Islamic slaughter. As a result, they are considered inherently pure (ṭāhir)

Legal Transformation (Istihāla):
Not required according to the majority of scholars, as bones are already considered inherently pure (ṭāhir)
Permissible — majority scholarly opinion🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)
R2BBovine hide gelatin or non-gelatin (tanned or chemically treated skin/ hide)Known-hide sourceDifference of Opinion: Majority consider pure and permissible to use (i.e. topically) but cannot be consumed. Permissibility of consumption depends on whether valid legal transformation (istihāla) occurs during the manufacturing process.

Legal Transformation (Istihāla):
The majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation has not taken place.
Prohibited to consume majority scholarly opinion.

Permissible to apply topically-
majority scholarly opinion
🟧 Doubtful (Amber)


Topical Application:
🟨 Likely Halal(Yellow)
R2C

Bovine gelatin or non-gelatin (from other than bone or hide or unknown bovine source)Known
Bovine source other than bone or hide

or

Unknown
Bovine source, but unknown whether bone, hide or other

Difference of opinion:
Permissibility depends on whether valid legal transformation (istihala) occurs during the manufacturing process.

If Unknown:Based on the understanding that it is bovine with unknown origin, more cautionary position is adopted (i.e., that it may be derived from other than hide and bone).


Legal Transformation (Istihala):
The majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation has not taken place.
Prohibited – majority scholarly opinion🟧 Doubtful (Amber)
CodeSource Type

Source Known?Key Reason for Ruling

Scholarly
Opinion
Classification

R2E

Porcine gelatin or non-gelatin

Known porcine sourceDifference of Opinion:
Permissibility depends on whether valid legal transformation (istihala) occurs during the gelatin manufacturing process.

Legal Transformation (Istihala):
The majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation has not taken place.
Prohibited – majority scholarly opinion🟧 Doubtful (Amber)
R2FPorcine + bovine gelatin blend or non-gelatinUnknown (source unclear: porcine, bovine, or both)Difference of Opinion:
Source is unclear. Permissibility depends on whether valid legal transformation (istihala) occurs during the gelatin manufacturing process.

Legal Transformation (Istihala):
Based on the understanding that it can be porcine, bovine hide, bone or other, and adopting the more cautionary position (i.e., that it is derived from porcine), the majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation (istihala) has not occurred.
Prohibited – majority scholarly opinion,
adopting a precautionary stance
🟧 Doubtful (Amber)
R2G

Porcine-derived heparinKnown porcine sourceDifference of Opinion:
Extracted from pig intestines Permissibility depends on whether valid legal transformation (istihala) occurs during the manufacturing process.

Legal Transformation (Istihala):
The majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation has not taken place.
Prohibited – majority scholarly opinion🟧 Doubtful (Amber)

R3 – Insect-Derived 

Code

Source Type

Source Known?

Key Reason for RulingScholarly
Opinion
Classification

R3ACarmine Known
Crushed cochineal insects
Presence in Final Product: Present

Derived from insects, which are generally considered prohibited. Consumption is impermissible because it is derived from insects, even though considered legally pure (ṭāhir) (i.e, can be used topically).

Prohibited-
majority scholarly opinion

Permissible to apply topically-
with universal scholarly agreement
🟧 Doubtful (Amber)

Topical Application:
🟨 Likely Halal(Yellow)
R3BCarmine Known Crushed cochineal insectsPresence in final product – Presence is uncertain from data.

Adopting the more cautionary position (i.e., that it is present in final product),
Prohibited-
majority scholarly opinion

Permissible to apply topically-
with universal scholarly agreement
🟧 Doubtful (Amber)

Topical Application:
🟨 Likely Halal(Yellow)

R4 – Ethanol-Related

CodeSource Type

Source (Concentration) Known?Source (Concentration) Known?Scholarly
Opinion
Classification
R4AEthanol not fermented from ashriba arba’a (i.e., grapes, dates or raisins)Known Above 1%Difference of Opinion:
For ethanol content exceeding 1%, scholarly opinions differ.

According to the majority of contemporary scholars (primarily Ḥanafī), ethanol not derived from grapes or dates is permissible in medications, provided it does not intoxicate in the amount consumed.
Many scholars who adopt a stricter view also permit such ethanol based on the principle of public predicament and hardship (‘Umūm al-Balwa).
Permissible — majority scholarly opinion
🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)
R4BEthanol not fermented from ashriba arba’a (i.e., grapes, dates or raisins)Unknown concentration

Difference of Opinion:
The exact concentration is unclear; therefore, the more cautionary position of assuming it exceeds 1% is adopted.
For ethanol content above 1%, scholarly opinions differ.

According to the majority of contemporary scholars (primarily Ḥanafī), ethanol not derived from grapes or dates is permissible in medications, provided it does not intoxicate in the amount consumed

Many scholars who adopt a stricter view also permit such ethanol based on the principle of public predicament and hardship (‘Umūm al-Balwa).
Permissible — majority scholarly opinion
🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)
R4CSource Unknown Unknown concentrationCommon pharmaceutical ethanol (likely synthetic and very unlikely from ashriba arba’a (i.e., grapes, dates or raisins)).

Due to dual uncertainty (source and concentration) therefore, the more cautionary position of assuming it exceeds 1% is adopted.

According to the majority of contemporary scholars (primarily Ḥanafī), ethanol not derived from grapes or dates is permissible in medications, provided it does not intoxicate in the amount consumed
Permissible — majority scholarly opinion
🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)
R4DSource UnknownKnown Above 1%Common pharmaceutical ethanol (likely synthetic and very unlikely from ashriba arba’a (i.e., grapes, dates or raisins)).

Due to uncertainty of source the predominant position of not being from ashriba arba’a (i.e., grapes, dates or raisins) is adopted.

According to the majority of contemporary scholars (primarily Ḥanafī), ethanol not derived from grapes or dates is permissible in medications, provided it does not intoxicate in the amount consumed.
Permissible — majority scholarly opinion
🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)
R4EUnknown Known Below 1%Ethanol Content <1%:

Ethanol at a concentration below 1% used in manufacturing and medications is generally considered permissible, regardless of its source.
Permissible — with universal scholarly agreement🟩 Halal (Green)
R4FEthanol not fermented from ashriba arba’a (i.e., grapes, dates or raisins)Known Below 1%Ethanol Content <1%:

Ethanol at a concentration below 1% used in manufacturing and medications is generally considered permissible, regardless of its source.
Permissible — with universal scholarly agreement🟩 Halal (Green)

R5 – Lactose and Dairy

Code

Source Type

Source Known?Key Reason for RulingScholarly
Opinion
Classification
R5ACalf Rennet:
Used in the production of lactose or dairy ingredients.
Known
Calf Rennet
Presence in Final Product: Present or Unclear

Difference of Opinion:
Rennet is dry and free from flowing blood, and is considered pure (tāhir) by the majority of scholars. However, a minority may object if traces of rennet remain in the final product.
Permissible — majority scholarly opinion🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)
R5BCalf Rennet:
Used in the production of lactose or dairy ingredients.
Known
Calf Rennet
Presence in Final Product: Not Present

Calf rennet is used during the production process but is removed from the final product.
Permissible — with universal scholarly agreement🟩 Halal (Green)
R5CCalf Rennet: Not used in the production of lactose or dairy ingredients.Known
No Calf Rennet
Presence in Final Product: Not Present

Lactose is produced without the use of calf rennet and is free from concerns related to animal-derived enzymes.
Permissible — with universal scholarly agreement🟩 Halal (Green)
R5DCalf Rennet: Unclear if used in the production of lactose or dairy ingredients.Unknown (unclear whether Calf Rennet source)Presence in Final Product: Unclear

It is uncertain whether calf rennet is used at any stage. If used, it is generally considered pure (ṭāhir) by the majority of scholars, but a cautionary position is still recommended.
Permissible — majority scholarly opinion🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)

R6 – Biologics Derived

Code

Source Type

Source Known?Key Reason for RulingScholarly
Opinion
Classification
R6AChinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Cell LineKnown – Biological Product derived from the ovary of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus).
Presence in Final Product: None

CHO cells originate from a non-edible animal and thus impure and impermissible, the cells themselves are used only as living instruments to produce recombinant proteins or biologics.
The final purified product contains no hamster tissue, DNA, or protein.

Legal Transformation (Istihala):
The majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation of the derived biological product has taken place.
Permissible – majority scholarly stance.

Since the final substance is chemically distinct and no trace of impurity remains or is negligible, the product is ruled pure and halal. Only a minority of jurists object due to the impure origin of the cell line itself transferring to the final substance.
🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)
R6BVero Cell Line – African Green Monkey Kidney CellsKnown-Derived in 1962 from the kidney epithelial cells of the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops), Chiba University, Japan.Presence in Final Product: Negligible or trace

Monkeys are non-edible species.
The Vero cell line is impure and impermissible, the cells themselves are used only as living instruments to produce recombinant proteins or biologics.
The final purified product contains negligible trace.

Legal Transformation (Istihāla):
The majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation of the derived biological product has taken place.
Permissible – majority scholarly stance.

Since the final substance is chemically distinct and no trace of impurity remains or is negligible, the product is ruled pure and ḥalāl. Only a minority of jurists object due to the impure origin of the cell line itself transferring to the final substance.
🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)

R7 – Human Derived

CodeSource Type

Source Known?Key Reason for RulingScholarly
Opinion
Classification
R7AHuman blood–derived excipients and ingredients (e.g., albumin, immunoglobulins, clotting factors)Known- Extracted from pooled, screened human blood plasma donated voluntarily. Fractionated to isolate therapeutic proteins (albumin, antibodies, clotting factors).Presence in Final Product: Present

Use of human blood and its derivatives raises concern over karāmah al-insān (the inviolable dignity of the human body) and purity.

Legal Transformation (Istihāla):
The majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation of the derived biological product has not taken place.
Prohibited-
majority scholarly opinion

Majority of modern fiqh councils (OIC, IFA, MWL) allow therapeutic use when no pure alternative exists, and the product is purified and medically required.
🟧 Doubtful (Amber)
R7BHuman Diploid Cell Lines
(e.g., MRC-5, WI-38)
Known – Originally derived from aborted human foetal tissue in the 1960s; maintained indefinitely in laboratory culture.Presence in Final Product: Negligible or trace.

These cell lines perpetuate human genetic material but are now several generations removed from the original tissue.

The cells themselves are used only as living instruments to produce recombinant proteins or biologics.
The final purified product contains negligible trace.

Legal Transformation (Istihāla):
The majority of scholars hold that valid legal transformation of the derived biological product has taken place.
Prohibited-
majority scholarly opinion

While the origin involves an impermissible act (abortion), most scholars allow therapeutic use when no pure alternative exists, and the product is medically required.

🟧 Doubtful (Amber)

R8 – Animal Derived Halal Certified 

CodeSource Type

Source Known?

Key Reason for Ruling

Scholarly
Opinion
Classification
R8A

GelatinUnknown– (source unclear: porcine or bovine; bone or hide)Difference of opinion:
Source is unclear. Permissibility depends on whether valid legal transformation (istihala) occurs during the gelatin manufacturing process.

Legal Transformation (Istihala):
Most scholars hold that because this is animal-derived gelatin — and often from hide or bones — a valid legal transformation (istihala) has not occurred. As a result, they view it as impermissible unless the source animal was halal-slaughtered or confirmed from bones.

However, if the product is certified halal, this certification usually follows the minority scholarly opinion that considers animal gelatin to have undergone sufficient transformation to be pure and permissible.

Prohibited – majority scholarly opinion🟧 Doubtful (Amber)
R8BNon-GelatinUnknown– (source unclear: porcine, bovine or other)Difference of opinion:
Permissibility depends on whether valid legal transformation (istihala) occurs during the manufacturing process.

Legal Transformation (Istihala):
For animal non-gelatin ingredients, valid legal transformation (istihala) is generally unlikely because the manufacturing process is often unclear or not fully transparent. As a result, the majority of scholars agree that a cautionary position should be taken.

However, if the product is certified halal, this usually reflects the minority opinion that accepts the possibility of valid transformation or sufficient purification
Prohibited – majority scholarly opinion🟧 Doubtful (Amber)
R8CCalf Rennet: Unclear if used in the production of lactose or dairy ingredients.Unknown (unclear whether Calf Rennet source)Presence in Final Product: Unclear

It is uncertain whether calf rennet is used at any stage. If used, it is generally considered pure (tahir) by the majority of scholars, but a cautionary position is still recommended.

However, if the product is certified halal this usually reflects the majority opinion based on caution.
Permissible — majority scholarly opinion🟨 Likely Halal (Yellow)
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