the ruling regarding products that contain fat derived from animals which have have not been slaughtered as per the requirements of the shari'ah is that they are impure and haram, even if it may be fat from a goat or a cow. [see fatawa ridawiyyah 4/572]. nb Pig fat is intrinsically impure and haram. if it is added in a product then it is apparent that such a product is impure and haram. in the case of the £5 notes, the following points need to be considered in order to come to a judgment. we do not consume the notes nor do we use them as a cosmetic. they are not liquid or moist so the impurity cannot spread onto another item, such as clothing. however, where it is an issue of concern is having the note(s) in your pocket while praying salah. a similar example regarding having an impure item in one's pocket can be seen in the books of fiqh: the ruling regarding having a bottle in one's pocket which is filled with blood, urine or alcohol. the jurists have ruled that the salah will not count [see bahar e shariah, chapter of impurities, vol 2]. based on this, the ruling seems to be clear - having the new £5 note in one's pocket while praying salah would render the salah void. however, what must be considered is the general usage of notes. notes are used on a day-to-day basis and are common need. the notes may fall under the category of hajat, in that though the notes are possible to live without, it is very difficult to and is a reason for hardship [for the definition of hajat, see fatawa ridawiyyah 21/205]. keeping in mind the following principles: - necessity permits carrying out prohibitions - hardships bring ease [see al-ashbah] also, everyone is involved in keeping and taking such notes, so umum al-balwa needs to be considered here too, which could perhaps lighten the ruling. umum al-balwa is from the causes that lighten the ruling, especially when it concerns cleanliness [taharah] and impurities [najasah]. [see fatawa ridawiyyah 4/381-382;4/390] the ruling regarding the general handling of the notes could also fall under the categories mentioned above. nonetheless, to pass a fatwa on this issue and ultimately provide the ruling is the job of a qualified mufti, and therefore an istifta should be sent to a reputable dar al-ifta. wa'Allahu ta'ala a'lam.
I don't know the answer. I am myself looking for answer. Is pig product a najas (filth) besides not being fit for consumption (just like alcohol in perfume etc.)? Is it is permitted to use boar/swine hide for shoes, bags etc.? Can pig based products (gelatine, fat etc.) be used for external application (such as cream, handwash etc.)? Can such product be unsuitable for eating but be suitable for other uses? Use of tallow is, per se, not new in household product. Until recently most soaps used sodium tallowate (although they are now being replaced by sodium palmitate). The tallow used for soap undergoes the process of saponification. How much of fat character is retained during the esterification of fat? I know that hog hair is not permitted for use in hanafi fiqh. Probably by extension, that would rule out other uses of pig-based products.
well brother, are you certain that it is haram to own/use them? I would like to know the reasons from the hanafi perspective. the hindus and vegans are opposing it for very different reasons and they'd do the same if the notes contained tallow from zabiha. The jews don't mind it (as reported by the bbc article you linked earlier). Am not trying to antagonize you - just want to know your reasons. wa's salaam
Hindus have already raised a stink. Muslims are still wondering. That's fine though, the govt. will act only if veggies, hindus and jews create the fuss.
is the tallow present unchanged (having been added after the process of plasticization is complete) or is it used as an additive during the process? http://www.recyclinginternational.c...d-states/researchers-turn-animal-fats-plastic a detailed account of one such technique: https://www.google.ch/patents/US9234159 the question is whether the animal fat remains so in the final product. Secondly, it's obvious that the fat will not come into direct contact with skin or clothing so does it mean that handling would be permissible but to carry it inside a masjid would not?
please leave out the Ulema from this. but yes, the singers won't mind if the bundle of notes is wrapped in plastic, and thrown at them.
There could be a 2016 Rebellion from the Ulama and Naat readers if the note is showered on them in the upcoming Mawlid gatherings
Apparently the latest £5 note, the plastic one, has been confirmed to contain tallow (potentially porcine). For sure, it would be haram to handle it? Almost sounds like Enfield cartridge controversy. Why use tallow when other substitutes exist?
