Analysis of the Indonesian Ulama Council’s Permitted High-Sugar Food Consumption Rule Lā Ḍarara Wa Lā Ḍirār

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-785-9_46How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Indonesian Ulama Council’s; Islamic Legal Maxim; lā ḍarara wa lā ḍirār; Maqasid al-Shariah; Sugar

Abstract

This study examines the Islamic legal maxim lā ḍarara wa lā ḍirār in relation to the consumption of high-sugar foods declared halal by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). The maxim, rooted in the Qur’an and Hadith, prohibits any form of harm to oneself or others. Meanwhile, MUI determines the halal status of sugar based on compliance with Islamic production standards, without considering nutritional aspects and health risks. In fact, excessive sugar consumption may lead to serious illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This research employs a normative qualitative approach, drawing on maqasid al-shariah and qawa‘id fiqhiyyah. Primary sources include the Qur’an, Hadith, classical fiqh texts, and MUI fatwas, while secondary sources consist of WHO guidelines and health literature. The analysis employs a descriptive-analytical method, combining inductive and deductive reasoning. The findings reveal that sugar, as a substance, remains halal according to MUI, yet excessive consumption alters its legal ruling. Moderate consumption is permissible (mubah), but when it poses health risks, it may become reprehensible (makruh) or even prohibited (haram). From the perspective of maqasid al-shariah, restricting sugar intake is necessary to safeguard life (hifzh al-nafs) and wealth (hifzh al-maal). Hence, public education on healthy dietary practices is essential. In conclusion, the maxim lā ḍarara wa lā ḍirār provides a normative foundation for regulating the consumption of halal foods that may endanger health, including sugar. This study recommends a proactive role for MUI and the government in raising awareness about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption, as well as encouraging Muslims to follow the Prophet’s ﷺ example of simple and balanced eating habits.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Ibnu Rusydi
AU  - Dewi Mulyanti
AU  - Fahdil Muhammad
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/07
TI  - Analysis of the Indonesian Ulama Council’s Permitted High-Sugar Food Consumption Rule Lā Ḍarara Wa Lā Ḍirār
BT  - Proceedings of the UUM 13th International Legal Conference 2025 (UUMILC 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 666
EP  - 674
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-785-9_46
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-785-9_46
ID  - Rusydi2026
ER  -