Q: I have been diagnosed by my doctor with having a very low testosterone level (hypogonadism). I receive monthly injections to elevate the levels but the doctor has also prescribed a supplement to keep the levels elevated in between injections. The concern is that the supplements come in the form of capsules that contain gelatin. I cannot find a substitute testosterone boosting supplement. Is it permissible to consume this capsule?

A. We spoke to our pharmacist and he says that there are supplements available in tablet form (not capsule based) and free from gelatine. Please ask around your local pharmacies.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Q: Are all foods in Makkah and Madinah Halaal? If not then how should one differentiate between halaal and haraam?

A: In view of the constant reports that filter through from people visiting Makka and Madina, as well as some of the reliable residents of these areas, some of the meat sold in supermarkets is extremely doubtful. It is certain that the shops there sell meat imported from Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, and other non Muslim countries. We are not aware what structures the Muslims in these countries have in place to ensure halaal standards. It is therefore waajib to abstain from such meat.

There is available locally slaughtered chicken, referred to as watani.  Halaal meat is also available at the local abattoirs. As for the restaurants. we need to find out from them whether their products are local or imported. Don’t ask them whether the meat is halaal or haraam, for this will offend them and fail to elicit a reasonable or valid response. Ask whether they cook Watani or local meat and chicken, or whether the meat is imported.

The above, I think, is the only way we can go about ascertaining which types of meat to eat and to avoid when in the Haramayn Shareefayn

And Allah Ta’ala knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai

Q: Ajinomoto/Chinese salt khana shariat ke mutabik kesa he?

Translation: Is is permissible to eat Chinese salt?

A: Chinese salt (monosodium glutamate) Halaal hai.
Translation: Chinese salt (monosodium glutamate) is Halaal.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Q: I received an email apparently sent from a Halaal-certifying body. This email listed things we can and cannot eat. It said that Nando's, KFC etc. are not halaal even though their poultry products are halaal. I'm not sure what to believe now. When we usually eat out we always eat chicken by Nando's so should I stop eating there even though they have a halaal certificate on the wall and on the windows outside? What is the ruling regarding MacDonalds stores as I have never eaten there because even though they have a certificate I just believe they not halaal. I tell my husband we can't eat there but yet he does which upsets me a bit because he allows my daughter to eat there even though I'm not happy with it. Please can you give me a brief description of what I need to look at to see wether a food item/store is halaal.

A: As a rule, you should avoid eating at restaurants and food outlets that are owned and run by non-Muslims. Don’t just consider a place to be Halaal because they have a Halaal certificate. Some Halaal certifying bodies don’t have proper structures in place to oversee and monitor the Halaal conditions of an establishment. If your heart feels doubtful, it’s your duty to abstain.

These structures are: Full time Muslim management and/or Muslim supervision; no selling of pork or Haraam meat or Haraam food on the premises. Regular inspection by the certifying body, not just once a month or once every two months, or in some cases once a year just to collect money and renew the certificate.

We, too, are not satisfied with the Halaal certification of Macdonalds. As for Nandos, if the outlet has no full time Muslim supervisor and manager, consider it as non-Halaal.

If your husband insists on eating at places that don’t have the above structures, the least you can do is to politely refuse.

And Allah knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai