Cultured Meat: An Appraisal from the Fiqh and Sufi Views of Muslim Scholars

Abstract

Meat comprises important nutrients for the human body. As the global population increases, so has the demand for meat. A new idea was conceived to invent cultured meat produced from the outer part of the animal's body in the 1930s. However, the idea of cultured meat invention was only realized in 2013 by a Dutch scientist who invented burger-shaped cultured beef. This invention did not exist at the time of the Prophet, his Companions, and the tābi'īn, and it has become a polemic among the Muslim community regarding its halal status. The existence of cultured meat in today’s society requires a clear fiqh explanation and procedure because it is one of the new discoveries in the food industry. This study is significant to provide a good understanding and new knowledge to the Muslim society. A clear fiqh approach will provide guidelines to the society in considering it as a staple or alternative diet. Otherwise, they may avoid consuming cultured meat products as a precaution from haram and uncertainty (shubhah). This study employs qualitative descriptive research by analyzing some previous studies as secondary sources that have been recorded elsewhere, processed, printed, and disseminated to the public. The results found that cultured meat is a new discovery in Malaysia. Although the original law for this cultured meat is halal, if it does not meet the shariah principles and criteria, it is considered haram. This paper highlights the halal status of cultured meat from fiqh and sufism in terms of the transformative form of God’s creation. Based on the primary sources of fiqh and sufism, the status of cultured meat is considered halal provided the shortage of meat affects the needs of the population, it causes no harm in terms of consumption, and benefits the general public. Further research is necessary to verify that it is also tayyiban and fulfills the maqasid with regard to Islamic nutrition and the effects of consumption on consumers.