Fatwa Analysis on Bone China Products and Its Halal Solution

Abstract

This article discusses the use of animal bones in bone China products from halal and haram perspective. The main problem of the study due to the public confusion as a result of the difference views on halal and haram status of bone China products. The objectives of the study are to analyze the Shariah’s view and current fatwa on the law of utilizing animal bones, thus proposing a halal legal solution to the issue studied. The qualitative research methodology was used in this study through two approaches which are document analysis and interview. The study found that the cattle bones were the raw ingredients used by most of the bone China’s manufacturers. The analysis of fuqaha views found that only halal animal bones which has been slaughtered according to Shariah law were agreed to be halal (permissible), while pork bones was agreed to be haram (prohibited). However, there are disagreements among Islamic scholars for the bones of carcasses other than pigs. This arising from their difference interpretation on Shariah's arguments comprising the Qur'an, hadith, qiyās and maslahah. In the case of using animal bones in bone China products, the fatwa that permitted its use is found to be stronger, provided that it is not susceptible to pigs, based on the theory of transformation through burning (istiḥālah bi al-iḥrāq). However, among halal alternatives to bone China are clay and melamine-based products which are found to be stronger and cheaper than bone China.