When Does Gelatin or Keratin Become Halal?
The halal status of gelatin is one of the most talked-about issues in Islamic dietary law. At the heart of the discussion is a key concept that has been debated by scholars for centuries. To understand when – or if – gelatin becomes halal, we need to explore how Islamic thought approaches transformation, purity, and modern production methods.
When Does Gelatin Become Halal?
1. Istihālah (Transformation) in Hanbalī Thought
Istihālah means a complete change of a substance’s essence, so that the new material no longer has the properties, name, or effects of the original impurity.
Classical Hanbalī and Shafi’i jurists accepted natural istihālah: wine turns into vinegar, a carcass decays into the earth, hides are tanned into leather. In each case the najāsah (impurity) disappears, so the product becomes ṭāhir (pure) and halal to use.
Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 AH), whose fatwā is often relied on by modern Hanbalīs, expanded the principle: “If a filthy substance truly changes into another substance, the ruling follows the new reality.”
Applying the rule to gelatin:
Source: Usually made from collagen in bones, skin, or connective tissue of cows, pigs, or fish.
Process: Treated with strong acids or alkalis, then heated for long periods.
This breaks down the collagen into gelatin, a smaller, gel-forming protein
Result: Many scholars (especially Hanbalī and others) say this process completely transforms the original impure material.
The original identity of “pig skin” or “dead bone” is no longer there—it becomes a new substance called gelatin.
It should be noted that Hanifi School of thought disagrees.
2. Contemporary Fiqh Bodies
The International Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC) adopted Resolution 210 (Kuwait, 2015). It defines istihālah as “a real change… leading to conversion into another material that differs in all characteristics.” Where such a change is complete, the end-product is considered pure, and gelatin is specifically listed among items that may become permissible after confirmed transformation.
3. Keratin and Similar Animal-Derived Proteins
What is keratin?
Keratin is the tough protein found in hair, feathers, hooves, horns, and wool. Commercial keratin for shampoos, tablets, etc. is usually hydrolyzed (broken into tiny peptides) so it can dissolve in water or coat hair.
Is the Process of Making Keratin the Same as Gelatin?
No, keratin and gelatin are made through different processes, and they do not undergo the same kind of transformation.
Keratin: Is It the Same? (No Istihālah)
Source: Taken from hair, hooves, feathers, horns, etc.
Process: Usually treated with mild acids or enzymes, sometimes heat.
This breaks down the keratin into hydrolyzed keratin or keratin peptides—smaller protein pieces.
But: Even after processing, it’s still considered keratin. The structure is just smaller and more usable in shampoos or tablets.
Result:
Scholars do not generally consider this a complete transformation.
The original substance (keratin) is still recognizable.
It has not turned into something new like gelatin does.
So keratin usually does not undergo true istihālah.
4. Products From the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitāb)
The Qurʾān states unambiguously:
“Today all good things have been made lawful for you, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you.” — Q 5:5
What does this mean in practice?
1. Meat itself: Animals slaughtered correctly by Jews or Christians are halal for Muslims (excluding pork and carrion).
2. Their by-products: Any derivative—gelatin, keratin, collagen, rennet—taken from those animals inherits the same permissibility.
So it would be permissible insha Allah.
wallahu alam