Many companies, especially from the Arab world, are selling Halal Wines which they claim contains 0% alcohol. But are they halal or haram as the process for wine is same for both wines?
When this question was asked to Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid he provided a detailed answer on the production and consumption of such halal wines.
Sheikh clarified that treating khamr (any product that intoxicates) is haram because when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked to make vinegar from Khamr the Prophet prohibited it. (Sahih Muslim 1983)
This indicated that taking any benefit from khamr is haram, which means that the process of removing alcohol from khamr to make it Halal is itself Haram.
Now the second question comes in the mind is that if the production and process is haram then what about those who consume it? Sheikh prefers the opinion that the product which is a result of haram process remains haram.
Another question which we should ourselves is why is there any need for Halal Wine? Are we impressed and attracted to haram so much that we want to opt for it through Halal?
O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, and Al-Ansâb[], and Al¬Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitân’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful[]. (Surah Al-Maeda:90)
Quran tells us to avoid such things then why are we so keen to blend haram in our life to look cool? When we ponder over this issue then we will realize that there is no need for Halal Wine.
As Muslims we should create an environment where people avoid the consumption of wine rather than an environment where consumption of wine becomes the norm.
Many companies have introduced their Halal wines such as United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Lootah Premium Foods which released ‘Lussary Wine’ which comes with 24 carrot edible gold leaf.
According to the company the process to make halal wine is exactly the same as any other wine or champagne except that later the alcohol is removed from the wine.
Similarly Pierre Zero and Kevser Tabak also launched their range of Halal wine which they claim is fit for everyone. Pierre Zero claims that it has fewer calories, doesn’t harm your health, is good for all ages whether you are young, adult or elder.