The Ruling on Beverages Containing a Percentage of Alcohol

Our sister also asks and says: I heard that some beverages also contain some alcohol, and I read in the book *Al-Khamr Bayn al-Tibb wa al-Fiqh* (Intoxicants Between Medicine and Jurisprudence) by Dr. Muhammad Ali al-Bar that they contain small percentages of alcohol, but their treatment with other substances prevented intoxication, yet the substance is present; because there is a scientific rule that says: a substance is neither destroyed nor newly created. Is it forbidden to consume those things?
Answer: The rule in this matter is as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If the large amount of that thing intoxicates and alters the mind, then the small amount is forbidden. However, if the substance in it is weak and the large amount does not intoxicate, then there is no harm in it and it does not cause harm. This is the legal rule, whether it is drunk or eaten. If the large amount intoxicates, both the large and small amounts are forbidden. If the large amount does not intoxicate, neither the large nor the small amount is forbidden, whether it is food or drink. Yes.
The presenter: I heard that you issued a list containing pork fat and warned against using it in some types of soap, milk, and cheese, but I did not obtain any of this. Is what was said true?
The Shaykh: It is not true. We did not issue anything regarding this. It is not true. Yes.