Although it is believed to contain many benefits, there are a number of people who question the halalness of jelly gamat derived from sea cucumbers.
Member of fatwa commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Dr. KH. Abdurrahman Dahlan, MA, revealed that halal sea cucumbers are consumed. "From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu'anhu, he said that he had said that the Messenger of Allaah sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam about the (law of) sea water that sea water is sacred, (and) halal its carcass," K.H said. Abdurrahman Dahlan, answering a question from the Halal Journal.
Apart from the hadith which states that anything that comes from the sea is halal, there is a Qur'anic postulate that also explains the halalness of marine animals to be used.
One of them is in Q.S. Al-Maidah: 96 which means "It is justified for you the game of the sea and the food (which comes) from the sea as a delicacy for you, and for those who are on the way; and it is forbidden upon you (to catch) land game, as long as you are in ihram. and be devoted unto the God whom ye shall be gathered unto."
The Qur'an and hadith postulates that have been presented above at least prove that sea cucumbers are halal marine animals for consumption and use.
Professor of IPB University as well as senior auditor of the Institute for the Study of Food, Medicines, and Cosmetics of the Indonesian Ulema Council (LPPOM MUI), Prof. Dr.. Ir. Purwantiningsih M.S. explained, sea cucumbers or jelly gamat which are used as herbal medicines have a variety of good nutrients that are very beneficial for the body. Starting from vitamin B complex, phosphorus, potassium, to collagen.
This variety of ingredients provides a variety of health benefits, including inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, accelerating wound healing, improving the immune system, fighting HIV and herpes simplex, maintaining blood vessels, overcoming joint pain, improving kidney function, lowering cholesterol, preventing diabetes, and preventing skin wrinkles.
In terms of halalness, said Prof. Purwantiningsih, sea cucumbers and their preparations become syubhat or haram, if in the production process using additives and or process helpers whose source of material comes from illegitimate / unclean materials.
In addition to materials, the production facilities used will also have the opportunity to cause contamination if there is a use of shared facilities with other products containing illicit / unclean materials. (FM)
