The Ruling on Food Containing What Is Called Bovine Gelatin
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His Eminence the Shaykh: What is the ruling on foods that contain what is called gelatin or bovine gelatin?
If we know that the cow died without human action, or that its slaughterer did not slaughter it according to the lawful method of slaughter, or that it was slaughtered by one whose slaughter is not valid, then it is carrion and its consumption is not permissible. If a Zoroastrian slaughters a cow, it is forbidden, even if he mentions the name of Allah and drains the blood. If a Muslim slaughters a cow but not in the manner prescribed by the Shari'ah, it is also forbidden and carrion. If something is taken from it and mixed with other things, and its effect appears in the taste, color, or smell, then it is forbidden. If its effect disappears and does not appear, then there is nothing wrong with it; because the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to eat from the cheese of the Zoroastrians, and the slaughter of the Zoroastrians is forbidden; but only a small amount of rennet is taken from the stomachs for the cheese, which does not show its effect in the food. This indicates that a thing whose effect does not appear has no effect.
If we know that the cow died without human action, or that its slaughterer did not slaughter it according to the lawful method of slaughter, or that it was slaughtered by one whose slaughter is not valid, then it is carrion and its consumption is not permissible. If a Zoroastrian slaughters a cow, it is forbidden, even if he mentions the name of Allah and drains the blood. If a Muslim slaughters a cow but not in the manner prescribed by the Shari'ah, it is also forbidden and carrion. If something is taken from it and mixed with other things, and its effect appears in the taste, color, or smell, then it is forbidden. If its effect disappears and does not appear, then there is nothing wrong with it; because the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to eat from the cheese of the Zoroastrians, and the slaughter of the Zoroastrians is forbidden; but only a small amount of rennet is taken from the stomachs for the cheese, which does not show its effect in the food. This indicates that a thing whose effect does not appear has no effect.