What is the ruling on using alcohol-free vinegar?

The questioner : ... the second type of vinegar ... a type of vinegar in the store is labeled: "Alcohol-free vinegar"; this is not permissible, meaning ...?

The Shaykh : This is a different matter; this is called wine vinegar, but it contains no wine and no alcohol, clear ...? ... wine, and there are some hadiths that came regarding wine vinegar, some of which are authentic and some are not. From the authentic ones, for example, is that when wine was forbidden, Abu Talhah al-Ansari came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have a skin of wine for my orphans; should I turn it into vinegar?" He said: . And among them is a hadith well-known on the tongues but having no basis, which is worded as: ; so this is not correct. Therefore, what is said regarding wine vinegar is similar to what is said—meaning, I say "similar," not "the same"—as what is said regarding "colonia" perfume. So if there is vinegar, as you mentioned in your country, labeled "wine vinegar"; if it is made in a Muslim country, it is not permissible, because it encourages Muslims to do what is not permissible. But if it is made in the lands of disbelief and misguidance, then it is permissible at that time.

The questioner : It is made in the country; it is in wine labeled as wine containing alcohol, and in wine ... two types, it is made in the country of Algeria.

The Shaykh : Yes, it is not permissible to use it.