Green-Lipped Mussel capsules

Question

(Fatwa: #036)

Assalamu Alaikum W R B

Someone has asked me to check if the item below is permissible? It is for joint pain relief.

Our Green-Lipped Mussel capsules are being produced with a totally new process (FreeoVac cold) this process produces a product that yields a 100% increase of lipids and actives.

New registered trademark GlippedMax-Pluss; don’t be surprised when you see the registered trademark on our labelling. 

Trace elements contained in Green-Lipped Mussel, include Selenium which is an important anti-oxidant and may help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. 

Zinc supports a healthy immune system, and supports wound healing, helps maintain your sense of taste and is necessary for DNA synthesis.  Zinc also is essential for healthy growth and development throughout pregnancy, childhood and adolescence.  

Manganese is essential to promote bone regeneration and maintenance of bone density.  It may also minimize pre-menstrual symptoms and promote healthy body function and is important for the production of key body enzymes and the activity of others.

It also contains Potassium; (refer to potassium article), Calcium and other trace minerals including Nickel that may benefit people with skin conditions like Psoriasis. A New Zealand native high in B-complex vitamins, omega 3 and mucopolysaccharides. Mucopolysaccharides are often described as the “glue of life” playing a significant role in the structural integrity of cartilage, bone and elastic tissues, modulating the viscosity of body fluids and normalising the bio-exchange of electrolytes, oxygen and nutrients across cell walls. 

Research conducted in New Zealand has shown the Joint mobility supporting activity and free radical scavenging properties of Green-Lipped Mussel are retained when processed into a dry powder.

Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.

Remember us in your duas.

ANSWER

Muhtaram

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

حامدا و مصليا و مسلما

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We have received your query with regards to Green-Lipped Mussel capsules, our response is as follows:

We acknowledge the receipt of your query. Please excuse us for the belated reply. Our response is as follows:

Firstly we should remember that according to the Hanafi Mazhab, it is not permissible to eat anything from the sea except fish.

Some Ulamâ have opted to refer to experts in the field of study for the definition of a fish. Hence, according to zoologists, a fish will have the following characteristics:

  1. They breath by means of gills.
  2. They have fins.
  3. They are vertebrate animals (i.e. they have a long backbone for support).[1]

According to our findings the Green-Lipped Mussels Perna canaliculus, is a greenshell mussel, kuku, and kutai, is a bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae the true mussels.[2]

Thus due to Mussels not falling under the definition of fish it will be impermissible to consume such capsules if the capsules are derived from such mussels.

Together with this, we have received the information that the Green-Lipped Mussels medicine is contained in a gelatine capsule sourced from bovine (cow). Therefore it will also not be permissible to consume such capsules sourced from Haraam Gelatine.

We are only aware of the above ingredients found in the Green-Lipped Mussels, thus we cannot comment on any other ingredients and substances which may be found in the medicine.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best

 

Muhammad Irshad Motara

22nd Rajab 1436

11th May 2015

 

Checked and approved by:

Mufti Musayab Sahib

22nd Rajab 1436

11th May 2015

 

 

[1] (Ref: World Book Dictionary vol.23 pg. 805)  (Oxford dictionary pg. 300)

(Fresh water fishes of Southern Africa pg. 19) 

(Encyclopeadia Britannica pg.797)

(احسن الفتاوى ج 7 ص 394 )
(تكملة فتح الملهم ج 3 ص 514 ) 
(فقهى مقالات ج3 ص 218)

آپ كى مسائل اور ان كا حل  ج4 ص 250

Darul Uloom Archives

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perna_canalicula

 

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