DIVERSITY IN HALAL FATWAS ON MAGGOT UTILISATION FOR FOOD APPLICATION IN THE HALAL INDUSTRY

Abstract

This study examines the potential for issuing a halal fatwa on maggots in the halal industry, drawing parallels with fatwa methods applied to similar cases, such as the cochineal insect (karmin). The problem stems from the majority of Islamic scholars prohibiting insect consumption, including maggots, not primarily due to impurity but because they are classified as mayitah animals that die without proper Islamic slaughter. This raises challenges for processed maggot products in halal-certified industries, necessitating a clear fatwa to address permissibility. The objective is to analyze two primary approaches for issuing a halal fatwa on maggots, based on precedents from cochineal fatwas, and assess their applicability to ensure compliance with Islamic principles in the halal industry. Employing a normative legal approach with qualitative methods and literature review, the study reviews Islamic jurisprudence from various schools of thought. Data from fatwa authorities, such as the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), Darul Ifta of Egypt, and Jordan, are analyzed descriptively and analytically. Results and discussion highlight two key approaches: the first, rooted in the Maliki school, permits insect consumption if killed beforehand, as adopted by MUI in the cochineal fatwa; the second involves istihalah, the transformation of substances from impure or forbidden to pure or permissible, applied by Hanafi and Maliki scholars in Egyptian and Jordanian fatwas. These methods demonstrate flexibility in addressing processed insects. In conclusion, the approaches used in the cochineal case can be adapted for maggot fatwas, particularly for processed products, promoting consistency in halal certification and supporting the halal industry's growth while upholding Islamic ethics.