Is Nutmeg Halal?
Scholars differ on this one.
Nutmeg is a spice that numbs and intoxicates in large amounts.
Photo: Sajith Erattupetta · CC BY 4.0
Scholarly differences
The question is whether nutmeg counts as an intoxicant. IslamQA (answer 39408) reports that most scholars treat it as one and forbid it in any amount, citing Ibn Hajar al-Haytami and the principle that what intoxicates in large amounts is forbidden in small amounts; it also reports that Wahbah az-Zuhayli and a 1995 Islamic medical conference allowed a small amount to flavour food.
Jordan's General Iftaa' Department (Shafi'i, question 2872) holds that nutmeg numbs rather than intoxicates, so a small amount for flavour is permitted and a large amount is forbidden. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta (fatwa 3294, Dr Ali Gomaa, 20 September 2011) says the same and permits trading in it.
What decides the answer
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Large, intoxicating or numbing amount: forbidden by agreement (Egypt's Dar al-Ifta; Jordan's Iftaa'; IslamQA)
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A little to flavour food, Egypt's Dar al-Ifta and Jordan's General Iftaa' Department: permitted
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Any amount, the majority view as reported by IslamQA: forbidden as an intoxicant
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Buying and selling nutmeg, Egypt's Dar al-Ifta: permitted
How to verify
- Decide which ruling you follow on a small amount used for flavour.
- If you avoid nutmeg, read spice blends, baked goods, sauces and spiced drinks for it.
- Never take nutmeg in large amounts: that is forbidden on every view.
Why this ruling
Nutmeg is a scholarly difference. Every source here agrees on one part: a large amount, enough to numb or intoxicate, is forbidden. The disagreement is about the pinch used to flavour food.
Where scholars agree
Nutmeg numbs and intoxicates when taken in large amounts. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta records that scholars agree an intoxicating amount is forbidden,[1] and Jordan's General Iftaa' Department and IslamQA say the same of a large amount.[2][3]
Where they differ: a little for flavour
- Permitted. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta (fatwa 3294, Dr Ali Gomaa, 20 September 2011) permits a small amount and forbids a large one.[1] Jordan's General Iftaa' Department reasons that nutmeg numbs rather than intoxicates and that a small amount has no effect, so the principle about intoxicants does not reach it.[2]
- Forbidden. IslamQA reports that most scholars treat nutmeg as an intoxicant, citing Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, and so forbid it in any amount under the principle that what intoxicates in large amounts is forbidden in small amounts. It also reports that Wahbah az-Zuhayli and a 1995 Islamic medical conference allowed a small amount to improve the flavour of food.[3]
Buying and selling
Egypt's Dar al-Ifta permits trading in nutmeg within food and health regulations, because most buyers use it lawfully; whoever misuses it bears the sin alone.[1]
In practice
Nutmeg in a cake, a sauce or a spice blend is a small amount, so the ruling you follow on a small amount decides it. If you avoid nutmeg altogether, read the ingredient list of spice blends, baked goods and spiced drinks.
Where you'll find it
- Cakes, biscuits and other baked goods
- Spice blends
- White sauces and creamy dishes
- Spiced and festive drinks
Frequently asked questions
Is nutmeg Halal?
Is nutmeg Haram in Egypt?
Why do some scholars forbid even a little nutmeg?
Why do others allow a little?
What about nutmeg in bought food?
Sources
Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.
Islamic / scriptural
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حكم التجارة في جوزة الطيب (Fatwa 3294)
Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt) Retrieved
Dr Ali Gomaa, 20 September 2011: a small amount is permitted and a large amount forbidden; scholars agree an intoxicating amount is forbidden; trading in nutmeg is permitted within food and health regulations.
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A small amount of nutmeg is permissible but a large amount is prohibited (question 2872)
General Iftaa' Department, Jordan (via IslamQA.org) Retrieved
Shafi'i: nutmeg numbs rather than intoxicates; a small amount to flavour food is permitted, a large amount is forbidden.
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IslamQA Retrieved
Reports that most scholars forbid nutmeg in small and large amounts as an intoxicant (citing Ibn Hajar al-Haytami), and that Wahbah az-Zuhayli and a 1995 Islamic medical conference allowed a small amount for flavour.
