In Islam, it’s important to know what’s halal. The word “halal” can be translated as ‘permitted, allowed, acceptable, or lawful’. The concept of halal food is well known, even amongst those that do not follow the Islamic faith, but what about halal drinks? Is soju halal or haram?
The word haram, which English speakers might translate as “forbidden” or “unclean”, is derived from the Arabic “al-ḥarām” ( الحرام ), which means “the prohibited” or “the unwholesome”. But does soju fall into that category? Read on to find out…
Is soju halal?
Soju, in general, is not halal. As it is alcoholic, with an average alcohol content anywhere between 12% and 24%, soju is haram.
But why is alcohol haram? There are a number of pronouncements in Islam that confirm that intoxicants, such as alcohol and other drugs, are forbidden to those that practice the faith. For example, the Qur’an (verse 4:43) is clear that Muslims should not pray while intoxicated.
Similarly, verse 5:90 also states that intoxicants are “the work of Satan”, or alternatively “Satan’s handiwork”, depending on the translation. For this reason, most Muslims interpret the Qu’ran as barring them from drinking alcoholic beverages.
Is there any halal soju?
The good news for Muslims is that a non-alcoholic version of soju has recently been launched in Indonesia. Named Mojiso, it’s inspired by the inventor’s love of Korean culture.
It’s also available in a number of different flavors, including lychee, lemon, yogurt, and strawberry. We here at DrinkPirate love flavored soju – and you can read our guide to flavored soju here.
Other shops in Indonesia also sell another brand of non-alcoholic soju, called Sojugan, which was recently involved in a TikTok argument with viewers being concerned that it was in fact haram.
So this new variety of Indonesian non-alcoholic soju is something that this writer would love to try. Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, it’s not available outside of Indonesia. But if I ever visit Jakarta, I’ll make sure to put it on my shopping list!
Is Jinro soju halal?
Unfortunately, no. Although it varies depending on the type of Jinro soju you’re drinking, it all contains alcohol and – as we’ve said above – most Muslims interpret alcohol to be forbidden, or haram, as set out by the Qu’ran.
If I don’t drink alcohol, what are the alternatives?
The good news is that soju is commonly mixed with lots of other non-alcoholic drinks. If you’re out with friends who are drinking, you could just drink the mixer without the soju.
Some common combinations are soju and Coke – which you can read about if you click here – and soju and Yakult, which you can read more about if you follow this link.
In Korean bars, soju is typically sold by the bottle. Because of this, you will usually be served the mixer separately. This means that you could always order extra, or make sure that you have your own bottle of whatever you’d like to drink.
Soju is also often served in shot glasses when it’s drunk neat. If you’re drinking a glass of Coke, for example, it should be difficult to get your glass mixed up with your friends’ or colleagues’!
Conclusion
In conclusion, most people would say that soju is not halal. Because of its alcoholic content, it is generally considered haram. However, there are new, non-alcoholic varieties of soju springing up which might be appropriate for Muslims.
Of course, whether soju is halal or haram will be a matter of personal interpretation. Whilst the majority of Muslims would consider soju to be haram, it is important to consult with a religious leader to make an informed decision on whether or not this is the case for you.