Proof that cooked alcohol is HARAM
Sub: "Cooked Alcohol?" HARAM?
Date: 01/10/2001 20:47:12 EST
To: AskIslam@aol.com
From:
Bismillah-ir Rahman-ir Raheem
Questions & Answers for ISLAM TODAY
Question:
Is it permissible to eat dishes cooked with alcohol? It is well-known that alcohol evaporates with heat?"
Thank you so much for your Email and your question regarding Islam. It is wonderful to see people like yourself taking the time and interest to learn more about the correct teachings of Islam. This in itself is a sign of guidance from the Almighty Above. May He grant us the wisdom to know the right knowledge and the ability to put it into practice, ameen.
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Now as regards your question:
Your Question:
" Is it permissible to eat dishes cooked with alcohol? It is well-known that alcohol evaporates with heat."
First of all, as in many questions these days, there is a comment or statement lying underneath the question in an effort to perhaps influence the answer. Let us ask the question as a question should be asked.
"Does alcohol totally evaporate while heating, cooking or flaming?"
The answer, according to the United States Federal Department of Agriculture is, "No. It does not all evaporate."
Some, but not ALL of the alcohol evaporates during cooking. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published the following table of alcohol content in cooked foods.
| Amount of Alcohol Retained During Cooking Source: USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) | ||
| Process Used | Evaporation | Retention |
| Alcohol added to boiling liquid, then removed from heat | 85% | 15% |
| Alcohol flamed | 70% | 30% |
| No heat, stored overnight | 75% | 25% |
Many people believe that because alcohol is sensitive to heat, it is eliminated with cooking. However, not all the alcohol content of alcoholic drinks is removed with heat; it depends on the type and time of cooking.
For instance if you add beer or wine to boiling liquid, then immediately remove it from the heat, 85 per cent of the alcohol content will remain. If you light the alcohol, as in flambé dishes, 75 per cent will remain. Even after simmering the dish for one and a half hours, it will still have 20 per cent of the original alcohol content.
It is only if you simmer the mixture for two or more hours, (as you would with a wine-based beef casserole), that as much as five to 10 per cent of the original alcohol content still remains.
| Alcohol Retention During Cooking Source: USDA | |||
| Process Used | Time | Evaporated | Amount Retained |
| Baked - not stirred into mixture | 25 min | 55% | 45% |
| Baked, simmered or stirred into mixture: | 15 min | 60% | 40% |
| " | 30 min | 65% | 35% |
| " | 1 hour | 75% | 25% |
| " | 1.5 hours | 80% | 20% |
| " | 2 hours | 90% | 10% |
| " | 2.5 hours | 95% | 5% |
Now as regards the status of this in Islam according to the Quran and the accurate hadeeths (sayings and teachings of Muhammad, peace be upon him); Any and all alcohol is totally haram (forbidden).
The prophet, peace be upon him, made it clear many times, alcohol is definitely forbidden and cannot be consumed by Muslims. He also made it clear even small amounts were forbidden. He stated more or less:
"Whatever intoxicates in large amounts (wine, etc.) is Haram (forbidden) in small amounts."
The people before us played with the things which Allah has made haram and halal and for that reason Allah has punished them greatly. Let us not be deceived by the shayton and fall therefore, into the same trap.
May Allah save us and keep us strong in the face of temptation, ameen.
