Food and Drink

Q: Are we as Muslims allowed to eat sourdough bread, as the starter for the bread is fermented for ten days before the bread is made from it?

Q: Is it necessary to avoid all products having doubtful ingredients, and will a person be sinful consuming such product without checking first (the products are not meat, they have things like e-codes where they may or may not be taken from animal sources or other things that may be taken from animal sources but they are not sure)?

Q: What is the rule for immersing a slaughtered chicken in hot (or boiling) water to remove its feathers? 

Q: We learnt that one should not drink water from a jug or bottle. Please advise regarding drinking from water bottles (the ones purchased from shops in 350ml / 500ml), juice bottles (children's school lunch bottles), flasks etc. that we find students are commonly using today. These come in various kinds of styles and sizes - some even going upto 1 and 2 litre bottles.

Q: What is the fatwa regarding stunned meat?

Q: What is the fatwa regarding gelatine?

Q: In one dawat, one of the ingredients was the shell of a tortoise. Is it halaal?

Q: I remember hearing in Fazaail Sadaqaat that one can eat doubtful food if ones parents give it so they don't feel bad. Can I practice on this and does not knowing if a certain non certified item's ingredients count as being doubtful?

Q: My son will be traveling to Georgetown, Cape Town, and Johannesburg from 19th June to 1st July 2025, إن شاء الله. I would be grateful if you could kindly advise on how he can ensure the consumption of halaal food during his stay.

Specifically, is it sufficient to rely on the word of a Muslim in those cities (such as a waiter or staff member at a restaurant or hotel or any Muslim) who claims that the food is halaal? Or should he look for formal halaal certification or other signs of reliability? 

Alternatively, should he just restrict himself to eating fish, eggs, vegetables, and lentils in case there is no guarantee in those cities?