Question
Assalamu ‘alaykum. I am very worried about stearic acid. I found out that this molecule is widely used in various products, including rubber, plastic, computer components, and even paper. I fear that many everyday items are impure, since stearic acid is mainly produced from animal fat, most of which is not considered zabiha in the West. I’m concerned that whenever I read a book or touch something plastic, my hands become impure, as they are often damp. This situation is extremely worrying and makes me anxious. What should I do? Jazakum Allahu khayran
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ʿAlaykum Wa-Raḥmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh
In principle, stearic acid is a fatty acid that can be derived from either animal fats or vegetable oils. Its presence in a product does not, by itself, establish that the product is impure (najis).
Therefore, one should not assume that everyday products are impure merely because they may contain stearic acid. Likewise, touching such items with damp hands does not mean that one’s hands become impure. The established principle is that certainty is not dispelled by doubt.
Accordingly, you should continue using these everyday items as you normally would and should not regard them as impure. Do not allow such doubts to cause you unnecessary hardship. [1]
And Allah Taʿāla Knows Best.
Baba Abu Bakr
Student Darul Iftaa
Accra, Ghana
Checked and Approved by
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai
