Question:
Is it allowed to consume vinegar that was originally made from wine, even though the process includes an alcohol stage?
Answer:
Yes, it is allowed — as long as the wine has fully turned into vinegar and there’s no alcohol left in it.
Here’s why: In Islam, wine is haram (forbidden) because it intoxicates. But if the wine changes completely into vinegar, it is no longer considered wine. This is called “Istihalah” — a complete transformation of a substance so that it becomes something totally different and pure.
Even though the process of making vinegar usually passes through an alcohol stage, what matters is the final product. If the alcohol is gone and the substance has become vinegar (sour and no longer intoxicating), it is pure and halal.
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