Cultured meat as halalan toyyiban food: A maqasid review in the preservation of life (hifz an-nafs)

Abstract

It is expected that the global population, which is currently 7.3 billion, will exceed 9 billion by the year 2050. Therefore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that 70 % more food will be needed in 2050 in order to meet the needs of the increasing human population. This is a massive test due to the limiting resources and arable land. Cultured meat is designated as one of the safe options among the alternatives by its proponents for the public who wish to be environmentally friendly but oppose altering their diets. This study proposed to achieve the maqasid review on the cultured meat product. This study used a qualitative method whereby references related to maqasid al-shariah and cultured meat and its rulings in Islamic perspectives were used to obtain further information, including the area of halal food because it is under the same circumstance. Halal cultured meat can be concluded as a new invention of food technology that complies with maqasid al-shariah in terms of protection of life (hifz an-nafs). Thus, it is suggested that Muslims must involve the technology of the production of cultured meat or necessary action be taken so that any haram (unlawful) element should be avoided in producing halal cultured meat.