The Law of Consuming Civet Coffee

Question

Assalamu’alaykum warahmatullah

I got information that consuming Kopi Luwak is allowed. It has even received a fatwa, justified by the scholars.

So with this, I ask for information and explanation from Mr. Ustadz. Because some state that luwak coffee actually comes from coffee beans eaten by luwak animals, then it is removed again as feces (sorry: moles) that come out of the (rectum) of the animal. So it is certainly categorized as unclean. So can such an uncleanness be sacred and lawful for consumption?

Wassalam

Yanuar M.

Jember

Answer:

Yes, that’s right, The Civet Coffee comes from the coffee beans eaten by the Mongoose animal, and then it is taken back out with the feces. Then it is processed into coffee grounds that are consumed by the community and known as Kopi Luwak.

Such Kopi Luwak has been used halal by the MUI Fatwa Commission, with Fatwa Decree No. 07 2010, dated July 20, 2010. Some of the points raised to explain the halalness of this Kopi Luwak product, among others, are:

First, it refers to the Verses of Allah in the Quran which among other things mean:

“O men, eat the lawful again both of the things that are on the earth, and you shall not follow the steps of shaitan; for verily the shaitan is a real enemy unto you.” (Q.S. Al-Baqoroh [2]: 168).

“O people of faith, eat among the good rezki that We give you and give thanks to God, if truly to Him you worship.” (Q.S. Al-Baqoroh [2]: 172).

“And eat kosher food again good from that which God has sustened you, and be devoted to the God whom ye have faith in him.” (Q.S. Al-Maidah [5]: 88).

“He is God, who made all that is on earth for you all…” (Q.S. Al-Baqoroh [2]: 29).

“… and justify for them all that is good and forbid for them all that is bad…” (Q.S. Al-A’raaf [7]: 157).

Second, the guidance of the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad saw, including: “The halal is something that is justified by Allah in His Book, and the haram is what is forbidden by Allah in His Book; while those which he does not explain are the forgivable.” (H.R. At-Turmudzi and Ibn Majah). “Anything that is justified by Allah in His Book (the Quran) is halal, anything that He forbids, the law is haram, and anything that Allah keeps/does not explain the law, is forgiven. For that accept His forgiving. For God never forgets anything.” (H.R. Al-Hakim).

Third, in the Qaidah Fiqhiyyah it is stated one provision: “The law of origin of something useful is permissible, and the law of origin of something harmful is haram.”

Furthermore, it is mentioned in the Book of Al-Majmu’ Juz 2, p. 2. 573, which explains that if any animal eats the seeds of a plant, it can then be removed from its stomach, if it remains in condition if it is planted it can grow, then it remains sacred. However, it must be sanctified on the outside because it is exposed to uncleanness.

In the Book of Nihayatul Muhtaj Juz II, p. 284 it is also stated: “Yes, if the seed returns to its original condition, if it is planted to grow, then its status is mutanajjis. It’s not unclean…”

Opinion in the Book of Hasyiyah I’anatus-Thalibin Syarh Fathul-Mu’in, Juz 1, p. 1. 82, which explains, if any animal spews the seeds of a plant or removes them through feces, if the seeds are hard, if they are planted they can grow, then the status is mutanajjis.

Then an explanation was also obtained, which in essence is that in general, the coffee beans that come out of civet feces do not change, and can grow if planted.

Civet Coffee which comes from coffee beans eaten by civet animals (paradoxorous hermaproditus) , then comes out with the feces, on condition that, the coffee beans are still intact wrapped in the skin of the horns; and can grow if replanted. Then Kopi Luwak as referred to in this general provision is Mutanajjis. As an item affected by Unclean. Not Unclean itself. And it is lawful after it has been sanctified. Thus, consuming Kopi Luwak is also legally permissible / halal. Similarly, producing and trading it, the law is also allowed/halal.

It should also be informed that this MUI Halal Fatwa is a guide for the community. Meanwhile, until now, there has been no company or producer of Kopi Luwak that has received a Halal Certificate. Because to obtain the Halal Certificate, it must go through the requirements that have been set.