Darul Ifta Kauzariyya

What are the rules and regulations of Hanafi & Shafi Madhabs on the subject of nutmeg tree and nut trade?

Qu-Id: Q0450
Madhab: Hanafi
Date: 01-01-1970
Question:
The nutmeg tree used as a kind of spice which gives food a fragrant smell and delicious taste. The ancient Egyptians used it as a medicine for stomach disease and to expel wind. Its effects are like those of hashish. If it is consumed in large quantities, a person ringing in his ears, severe constipation, difficulty urinating, anxiety, stress, suppression of the central nervous system and possibly death. With regard to the rulings on it, the scholars differed and there are two opinions. The majority of scholars are of the view that it is haraam to use it in small and large quantities. Others are of the view that it is permissible to use a little of it if it is mixed with other substances. Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (d. 974 AH) said concerning nutmeg: When there was a dispute concerning it between the scholars of the Haramayn and Egypt, and there were differences of opinion as to whether it is halaal or haraam, this question arose: Did any of the imams or their followers state that it is haraam to eat nutmeg? To sum up the answer – as was stated clearly by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Daqeeq al-Eid – it is an intoxicant. Ibn al-‘Imaad went further and regarded hashish as comparable to it. The Maalikis, Shaafa’is and Hanbalis are agreed that it is an intoxicant and comes under the general text: “Every intoxicant is khamr and all khamr is haraam. The Hanafis are of the view that it is either an intoxicant or a drug, either of which affects the mind, so it is haraam in either case. End quote. What are the rules and regulations of the Hanafi & Shafi Madhabs on the subject described above?

Answer:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب وبالله التوفيق والنجاح

Ingredients and spices like nutmeg are commonly used today for medicine and food. It is not used as an intoxicant. Hence, it's  sale is permissible according to Hanafi & Shafi Madhab

والله أعلم بالصواب
Written by: Anwar Navas Kousari
Checked & Approved by: Mufti Sirajudheen Al Kauzari
Published by: Mufti Sirajudheen Al Kauzari