The Ruling Regarding Whey & Animal Rennet in Cheese
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ The following is taken from Ruling Regarding Whey & Animal Rennet in Cheese . Rennet is an enzyme used in the food industry for the preparation of cheese by curdling milk. It coagulates the milk, causing it to separate into solids, curds, and liquid, whey. Rennet is extracted from the stomach of an animal whose meat is lawful after slaughtering in accordance with shari’ah . Whey is a by-product which appears during the process of cheese making. Regarding the whey and rennet of animals which were slaughtered according to the shari’ah , then it is unanimously considered permissible for consumption. As for the whey and rennet of animals which were not slaughtered according to the shari’ah , scholars hold two opinions. Imam Abu Hanifah Nu’man ibn Tsabit ( r.a. ) and, according to a saying, Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal ( r.a. ) and others say it is pure and may be consumed. Imam Abu ‘Abd...