Ingredient Guide
A plain-language guide to what's on the back of your food and drink labels. Search any ingredient name or E-number to see what it is, where it commonly appears, and what to look for.
Makruh3 ingredients
Horse meat
MakruhMeat from horses.
The Hanafi school treats horse meat as disliked (makruh); other schools permit it. Placement here reflects the more cautious view.
Monitor lizard (dhabb)
MakruhAlso: dhabb, goh, uromastyx
A desert lizard eaten in some regions.
The majority position, notably in the Hanafi school, is that eating dhabb is disliked (makruh). Some other schools permit it. It is neither declared haram by consensus nor without dislike; the middle placement fits.
Shrimp and other shellfish
MakruhAlso: prawns, crab, lobster
Sea creatures that are not fish in the strict sense.
Schools differ. Most schools permit all seafood; the Hanafi school traditionally permits only fish and treats other sea creatures as disliked or avoided. Follow the position you observe.
About this guide
SayyidiNetwork writes this to help families read food and drink labels with confidence. The guidance leans toward the Zabiha-strict view, which is what most of our community follows, and gives concrete, actionable notes rather than fatwas.
Halal and Zabiha
Halal means permissible. For meat, many in our community look for Zabiha (also written Dhabiha): hand-slaughtered by a Muslim, with Allah's name invoked and the blood drained. Certifiers and scholars differ on machine slaughter, stunning, and whose slaughter is accepted.
Certification marks that help
For non-meat products, look for a halal certification mark (IFANCA, HFSAA, HMS, HFC-USA, or a comparable body). For meat, look for Zabiha-specific certifications (HMS is widely recognised for hand-slaughter standards). Each body applies its own standard; when in doubt, ask the manufacturer or check the certifier's standard.
One honest note
This is an educational reference, not a fatwa and not a product certification. On matters of active scholarly difference, families follow the position of their school and their scholar. If your mosque or scholar guides you differently on a specific item, follow their guidance. When you spot something we should refine, email info@sayyidinetwork.com.