By: Dr. KH. Asrorun Niam Sholeh, M.A.
Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Fatwas
Question:
Assalamu'alaikum wr. wb.
When traveling through the Pantura route, Central Java, we were invited to stop by at an apiary in the Alas Roban, Gringsing, Batang area, which sells various types of honey and other bee derivatives. Among them is royal jelly.
Royal jelly is a milky secretion produced by the glands of workers' honey bees. Royal jelly is the main food of the queen bee. Some people often use it as a medicine to treat certain diseases.
It was mentioned by its officers that royal jelly is very good for maintaining health. However, until now we have not obtained enough research evidence and explanations that support the benefits of royal jelly for human health. On the contrary, according to the testimony of some people who consume, royal jelly can actually trigger various body reactions due to allergies.
In addition to its benefits, we also still doubt the halalness of royal jelly. Is the product halal consumed?
Please answer and explain. Thanks.
Wassalamu'alaikum wr. wb.
Muhammad Arif Rahman
Depok, West Java
Answer:
Waalaikumsalam wr. Wb.
Thanks for the submitted question. An explanation of the properties and benefits of royal jelly, maybe you can ask a party who understands more about this. Meanwhile, regarding its halalness, we will explain it by referring to the MUI Fatwa.
In general, most of the composition of royal jelly is water, which is about 70 percent. The rest, royal jelly contains protein, some kind of vitamins, sugars, salts and amino acids. A number of people claim that consuming products containing melbrosia (flower pollen) and royal jelly regularly can reduce the symptoms of premature aging. Several other studies have revealed that royal jelly is thought to be beneficial for controlling cholesterol levels. This information needs to be confirmed to health and nutrition experts.
As for its halalness, the MUI Fatwa Commission has conducted an in-depth study to find out with certainty the position and production of bees other than honey, namely propolis (bee glue), bee pollen (bee bread), royal jelly (bee milk), bee wax (beeswax), com (honeycomb), and apitoxin (poison from bees).
There is a Fiqhiyah Rule that salaf scholars have agreed upon, that any liquid object that comes out of two doors (the place of urination and the place of defecation) is unclean, apart from the seminal. Both the usual ones such as feces, urine and unusual water for example mazi (fluid that comes out of the male pubic when there is a little shahwat), either from animals that are kosher eaten or not kosher eaten.
In addition, in the Hadith of the Prophet Saw. it is mentioned, among them: "… The stool is unclean." (HR. Bukhari). Therefore, before reaching this agreement, the scholars in the MUI Fatwa Commission first received in-depth explanations from biologists and beekeeping cultivation. Especially with regard to related issues discussed.
After going through various studies, the Plenary Session of the Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) determined that the fatwas for the six products produced by bees were halal and could be used for medicine and food ingredients. That is, propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee wax, com and apitoxin are designated as sacred and halal products to be used as medicine and for consumption as food ingredients.
Especially for apitoxin (poison from bees), although it is considered to contain toxins, it can be used as long as it does not harm. Apitoxin or bee venom has actually been widely used in treating certain diseases through bee sting therapy.
That's our answer and explanation. Hope it answers your question. Thanks.
Wassalamualaikum wr. Wb.
