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(F 370) What is the ruling on consuming dietary medications and supplements that contain magnesium stearate? This substance is found in most types of pills, supplements, and other products. Stearate is derived from natural fats, and it is often sourced from animal fats and meats. In the United States, it is commonly extracted from pigs and cows, but the source is usually not specified on the ingredients list of the medication. However, some medications and supplements aimed at the vegetarian market specify that the stearate is plant-based, although these are generally much more expensive than common medications and supplements.

First: Magnesium stearate is a chemical compound that consists of a salt with two equivalents of stearate (the anion of stearic acid) and one magnesium cation. It appears as a white powder that is insoluble in water. Its applications make use of its smooth texture, insolubility in many solvents, and low toxicity. It is used as a release agent and a component or lubricant in the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other products.

Stearate comes from stearic acid, which is a long-chain saturated fat found in:

  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Cocoa butter
  • Coconut oil
  • Eggs
  • Milk and dairy products
  • Palm oil
  • Salmon

Magnesium stearate is considered an excipient. According to Merriam-Webster, an excipient is typically an “inactive substance that serves as a carrier (as for a drug),” also known as a “flow agent.” The manufacturing of dietary supplements and other products would be nearly impossible without excipients. Magnesium stearate has been recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is valuable for its lubricating properties. Specifically, excipients like magnesium stearate prevent powders from clumping and sticking together. They also prevent ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment.

Second: Regarding the ḥukm shar῾ī (Islamic legal ruling), it depends on the source of the organic material. Here is a summary of the scenarios:

  • If the source is plant-based, there is no issue from an Islamic perspective in using it.
  • If the source is from animals that are permissible to eat, such as cows, sheep, camels, etc., there is also no issue in using it.
  • If the source is from animals that are prohibited to eat, such as pigs, upon reviewing the manufacturing process, we find that it involves transforming the original substance and mixing it with another chemical, which results in a process known as ᾽istiḥālah (transformation). According to the Ḥanafī and Mālikī schools, and one opinion in the Ḥanbalī school, when a substance undergoes ᾽istiḥālah, it becomes permissible to use. This is the position we follow.

Therefore, there is no harm in using medications and supplements that contain magnesium stearate, regardless of whether the original source is animal-based or plant-based.