What Is the Ruling on Consuming Whey Protein Powder?

Second: What Is Whey? Whey is the liquid that separates from milk curds during the cheese-making process. It is then processed, filtered, and dried to produce Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, and similar products. The Shariah concern is not with the milk protein itself. Rather, it may arise from the enzyme used in the cheese-making process, the most common of which is rennet. Organizations specializing in halal food certification emphasize that the source of the enzymes used in whey production should be verified, and that microbial enzymes are commonly used in modern manufacturing. Third: The Ruling on Rennet 1. Plant-Based or Microbial Rennet If the rennet is: -Microbial Rennet: microbial rennet. -Vegetable Rennet: plant-based rennet. Then the basic principle is that it is permissible, provided that no prohibited substance is used in its production. Accordingly, whey produced from cheese in which this type of rennet was used is halal as far as the rennet itself is concerned. 2. Rennet Taken From an Animal Slaughtered According to the Shariah If the rennet is taken from cattle, sheep, or other animals that are permissible to eat, and the animal was slaughtered according to the Shariah, then it is halal, and there is no problem with consuming whey produced using it.

The Ruling on Eating Cheese When the Source of the Rennet Is Unknown 3. Rennet Taken From a Pig If it is established that the substance used is derived from a pig, then it is not permissible to consume the product, because Allah تعالى says:

4. Rennet Taken From an Edible Animal That Was Not Slaughtered According to the Shariah. This is the issue in which the difficulty most commonly arises. The jurists differed concerning this matter. The majority of the jurists held that rennet taken from a dead animal is impure, while Abu Hanifah and one narration from Imam Ahmad held that it is pure. This is the view favored by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله.

Fourth: What Should a Muslim Do When Purchasing Whey Protein? It is not correct to rule that all types of Whey Protein are haram. Likewise, it is not correct to state definitively that all of them are halal without examining their ingredients. The safer approach is to verify the particular product: If it has reliable halal certification → it is permissible to use. If the company states that the rennet is Microbial or Vegetable → it is permissible as far as the rennet is concerned. If the rennet comes from an animal slaughtered according to the Shariah → it is permissible. If it is established that it is derived from a pig → it is not permissible. If the source is completely unknown, then the basic principle regarding food is that it is permissible. However, avoiding doubtful matters and choosing a halal-certified product is more cautious and safer for one’s religious commitment.

Conclusion: Whey Protein is halal in principle, and it is not ruled to be haram merely because it is whey. If the rennet used is plant-based or microbial, or is taken from an animal slaughtered according to the Shariah, then the product is halal, provided that it does not contain any other prohibited ingredients. If it is established that the rennet or any other ingredient in the product is derived from a pig, then it is not permissible to consume it. As for rennet taken from an animal that is permissible to eat but was not slaughtered according to the Shariah, there is a difference of opinion among the scholars. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله favored the view that such rennet is pure and that cheese made using it is permissible. Nevertheless, especially given the ease with which alternatives can be found, the more cautious approach for a Muslim is to choose Whey Protein that has reliable halal certification or a product whose manufacturer explicitly states that the rennet used is plant-based or microbial. This avoids doubtful matters and better safeguards one’s religion.