Bushra Griffith
Parmesan cheese, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard Italian cheese made from cow's milk. It has a sharp, salty flavour and a distinct texture. The process of making Parmesan involves separating whey from curd, which is then moulded into large wheels and aged for an extended period. The use of animal-derived rennet in the cheese-making process has sparked debates among Islamic scholars regarding its halal status. Rennet is a natural enzyme found in the stomach of young mammals, and since it is derived from animals, its halal status is ambiguous. While some scholars argue that Parmesan made with animal-derived rennet is not permissible (haram), others, like Imam Abu Hanifa, consider rennet to remain pure and halal even if the animal was not slaughtered according to Islamic law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Parmesan, Parmigiano Reggiano |
| Ingredients | Cow's milk, microbial rennet, salt |
| Halal Status | Disputed |
| Halal Concerns | Use of animal rennet from calves not slaughtered according to Islamic law |
| Halal Certification | Some Parmigiano Reggiano is halal-certified |
| Alternative | Some producers use microbial rennet, also known as "vegetarian rennet" |
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What You'll Learn
- Parmesan is traditionally made using rennet, an enzyme from the stomach of young mammals
- Rennet is restricted/haram in a Muslim's diet
- Some scholars say animal products are only halal if the animal was slaughtered according to Islamic law
- There is a well-known leniency in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic law regarding cheeses made with rennet from non-halal animals
- Some halal certification authorities provide guidance on rennet types
Parmesan is traditionally made using rennet, an enzyme from the stomach of young mammals
Parmesan cheese is traditionally made using rennet, an enzyme from the stomach of young mammals, specifically calves, lambs, or suckling goat kids. Rennet is a key ingredient in the cheese-making process, as it coagulates milk and transforms it into curds.
The use of animal-derived rennet in Parmesan cheese raises questions about its halal status. Islamic dietary laws stipulate that the consumption of certain animal products is restricted to halal animals, and the animal must be slaughtered according to Shari'ah. The permissibility of consuming rennet derived from animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law is debated among Islamic scholars.
Some scholars argue that rennet from animals not slaughtered according to Shari'ah is impure and not permissible for consumption. They base this on the interpretation that all parts of an animal that is unlawful to eat are also unlawful, including the rennet.
However, other scholars, including Abu Hanifah and Ahmad, hold the opinion that rennet from dead animals or those not slaughtered according to Shari'ah is still pure and permissible. They reason that the enzymes in rennet do not die when the animal dies, and the concept of "impure containers not causing the contents to become impure" applies.
The debate surrounding the halal status of Parmesan cheese primarily revolves around the source and treatment of the rennet used in its production. While some scholars consider traditionally made Parmesan as haram due to the use of animal-derived rennet, others may deem it halal depending on their interpretation of the Islamic rulings regarding rennet.
To address concerns about the halal status of cheese, some halal certification authorities provide guidance on rennet types, aiding Muslim consumers in making informed choices. Additionally, cheese producers are rethinking their processes, with some adopting methods to produce vegetarian and vegan-friendly cheeses, which would inherently be halal.
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Rennet is restricted/haram in a Muslim's diet
Parmesan cheese is traditionally made using rennet, a natural enzyme found in the stomach of young mammals that helps them digest their mother's milk. This raises concerns among Muslim consumers because Islamic dietary laws state that the consumption of certain animal-derived products is restricted to halal animals.
According to the Hanafis, Malikis, Shafi'is, and Hanbalis, if rennet is taken from an animal that has not been slaughtered according to Shari'ah, it is impure (najis) and should not be eaten. This is based on the interpretation of the verse: "Forbidden to you for food) are: al-maytatah (dead animals - cattle-beasts not slaughtered)." However, the schools of Abu Hanifah and Ahmad, according to one of his two opinions, state that rennet from dead animals or animals not slaughtered according to Shari'ah is still tahir (pure).
The Hanafi School holds that rennet obtained from an animal slaughtered by a non-Muslim or Muslim is permissible, as long as it is not from a pig. However, due to the difference of opinion among Sunni schools of fiqh regarding the permissibility of animal rennet and the doubt therein, it is recommended to avoid consuming it whenever reasonably possible if its source is unknown.
As a result of these varying interpretations, it can be challenging for Muslim consumers to determine the halal status of Parmesan cheese. Some halal certification authorities provide guidance on rennet types to help Muslims make informed choices.
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Some scholars say animal products are only halal if the animal was slaughtered according to Islamic law
Parmesan cheese is traditionally made using rennet, a natural enzyme found in the stomach of young mammals, which helps them digest their mother's milk. Since rennet is a restricted or haram ingredient in a Muslim's diet, traditionally made Parmesan is not considered halal. However, some scholars argue that animal products are only halal if the animal was slaughtered according to Islamic law.
The Arabic word "halal" means permissible, and the rules of slaughter are based on Islamic law. For meat to be halal, the animal must be alive and healthy, and a Muslim must slaughter it in the appropriate ritual manner. This involves severing the carotid artery, jugular vein, and windpipe with a single swipe of a sharp knife. The animal's blood must be drained, and it must not be handled while this is happening. The butcher is also required to call upon the name of Allah for each animal individually.
The method of slaughter is an important aspect of halal certification. Islamic law emphasises the importance of halal and haram in matters of consumption. The Quran instructs: "O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship" (Quran 2:172). This verse reminds Muslims to partake of permissible (halal) and wholesome foods, expressing gratitude for Allah's blessings.
Some Muslims argue that stunning animals before slaughter is unacceptable, while others accept it as long as it is done in a way that is religiously acceptable. The Egyptian Fatwa Committee has agreed that an animal can be rendered insensible to pain via electronarcosis and still be halal. Additionally, regulations in the United States require animals to be completely insensitive to pain before slaughter, typically achieved through electronarcosis.
While the use of animal-derived rennet in Parmesan cheese is a concern for some Muslims, it is important to note that the halal status of cheese can be complex. The labelling of cheese products may not always specify the type of rennet used, making it challenging for consumers to determine whether it is halal. However, some halal certification authorities provide guidance on rennet types to help Muslim consumers make informed choices.
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There is a well-known leniency in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic law regarding cheeses made with rennet from non-halal animals
Parmesan cheese is traditionally made using rennet, an enzyme derived from the stomach of young mammals. As such, the question of whether Parmesan cheese is halal has been a subject of debate among Islamic scholars.
According to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic law, there is a well-known leniency regarding cheeses made with rennet from non-halal animals. The Hanafi school holds that rennet obtained from any animal, regardless of whether it was slaughtered according to Islamic law or not, is permissible as long as the animal is not a pig. This is based on the reasoning that rennet is not a living thing since it does not have blood circulating in it, and therefore, its lawfulness does not depend on the slaughterer being a Muslim or non-Muslim.
However, it is important to note that there are differing opinions among Sunni schools of thought regarding the permissibility of consuming cheese made with animal rennet. While the Hanafi school allows it, other schools, such as the Malikis, Shafi'is, and Hanbalis, consider it impure (najis) if the animal was not slaughtered according to Shari'ah. They base this ruling on the interpretation of the verse: "Forbidden to you for food) are: al-maytatah (dead animals - cattle-beasts not slaughtered)." [al-Maidah 5:3].
Due to the ambiguity in the halal status of animal-derived rennet and the difference of opinion among scholars, some advise avoiding cheese made with animal rennet when its source is unknown. However, it is worth noting that most cheeses in the USA are made with microbial rennet, which is considered halal.
In conclusion, while there is a well-known leniency in the Hanafi school of thought regarding cheeses made with rennet from non-halal animals, it is always advisable for Muslims to consult reliable sources and Islamic scholars to make informed decisions regarding their dietary choices.
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Some halal certification authorities provide guidance on rennet types
Parmesan cheese, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard, granular cheese made using rennet, a natural enzyme found in the stomach of young mammals. Rennet is a key component in the cheese-making process, as it aids in coagulating milk and transforming it into curds. The process involves the separation of whey from the curd, which is then moulded into large wheels and aged for an extended period until it becomes a hard cheese.
The question of whether Parmesan cheese is halal has been a subject of debate among Islamic scholars. The primary concern lies in the use of animal-derived rennet in the cheese-making process. Rennet can be processed with animal-based enzymes, and some scholars argue that consuming any product derived from animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law is not permissible (haram). Animal rennet is a combination of enzymes produced in the stomachs of certain mammals, and the main component is chymosin, which curdles the milk.
However, it can be challenging to determine the halal status of Parmesan cheese due to a lack of labelling regarding the type of rennet used. To address this issue, some halal certification authorities provide guidance on rennet types, helping Muslim consumers make informed choices. These certifications are important because reading the ingredients alone may not be enough, as manufacturers may change the rennet type without informing consumers. By choosing cheese products with halal certification, consumers can support the halal industry and encourage manufacturers to cater to halal consumers.
For strict followers of halal dietary guidelines, it is recommended to opt for cheese varieties that clearly state the use of microbial or plant-based rennet, as these are considered halal and permissible to consume. Some manufacturers, such as Cello Cheese, use microbial rennet in their cheeses, allowing those who require halal options to safely enjoy Parmesan. It is also important to consult with local religious authorities or scholars for specific guidance, as interpretations of halal and haram foods may vary.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the interpretation of Islamic law and the type of Parmesan cheese. Parmesan cheese traditionally uses animal rennet, which is an enzyme derived from the stomach of calves that are not slaughtered according to Islamic law. However, some scholars argue that rennet remains pure and halal even if the animal is not slaughtered according to Islamic law, making Parmesan permissible.
Animal rennet is derived from the stomach lining of young animals, typically calves. In Islamic dietary laws, the consumption of certain animal-derived products is restricted to halal animals, and these animals must be slaughtered in a specific way. As a result, the use of animal rennet in Parmesan cheese raises concerns among Muslims.
Yes, some cheese producers are now using microbial rennet, also known as vegetarian rennet, which is suitable for vegetarians and those requiring halal products. Additionally, there is a Halal-certified Parmigiano Reggiano cheese produced strictly following Islamic regulations and certified by 'Halal Italia'.
According to Imam Abu Hanifa's Hanafi view, cheese made with non-zabiha rennet can be considered halal. Imam Abu Hanifa's ruling states that rennet from a lawful animal remains halal and pure even if the animal was not slaughtered according to Islamic law. This lenient ruling is well-attested in Hanafi texts, making Parmesan cheese permissible for followers of the Hanafi school.
Parmigiano Reggiano is the trademark name of the cheese that originates from specific regions in Italy, such as Reggio Emilia. Parmesan is not trademarked, so it may not be the authentic cheese and can refer to any processed cheese labelled as Parmesan. When looking for halal Parmesan, it is recommended to buy Parmigiano Reggiano to ensure the authenticity of the product.
