Food and Pharmaceutical Transformation in Islamic Jurisprudence: A Comparison with UAE Law

Abstract

Modern technologies in the fields of food and pharmaceuticals represent some of the most significant challenges faced by contemporary societies in light of rapid advancements in science and discoveries. These technologies raise numerous jurisprudential questions concerning the permissibility or prohibition of certain food products and medicines that contain ingredients deemed forbidden by Islamic law, such as pork or its derivatives. In this context, Islamic jurisprudence plays a crucial role in addressing issues like the transformation (istihala) of forbidden ingredients, framing legal rulings that safeguard public health and social welfare. This also calls for the legal system to regulate these matters to ensure that modern technologies align with ethical and environmental values, while protecting humanity from their negative effects. This study aims to analyze the relationship between Islamic jurisprudence and modern technologies, with a focus on the position of Islamic scholars regarding contemporary issues such as genetic modification in food and the use of materials derived from forbidden animals in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It also examines the role of UAE law in regulating transformation and protecting human beings and the environment from the effects of modern technologies such as cloning and genetic engineering, while providing a comprehensive jurisprudential and legal perspective on reconciling science with Islamic law.