Wa `alaykum as-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

 

Islamic laws of halal and haram are clear and straightforward. According to the rules of jurisprudence, everything is halal unless proven otherwise. In other words, you need proof to prohibit something; while you don’t require evidence to state something as lawful.

 

Wine and intoxicants are Haram; however, grapes, dates, and their extracts and byproducts are halal as long as they are not deemed as intoxicants.

 

Therefore, there is no need for you to have reservations about such products since those who manufacture them have publicized their ingredients, and those ingredients by themselves are deemed as lawful.

 

You need only to cast doubts if you have evidence to prove they have used products that are unlawful. You should know that wine, if turned into vinegar, is halal, since chemical transformation has removed the essential trait of intoxication whereby the wine was declared as haram.

 

Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has warned us against rigidity and hair-splitting. He said, “Woe to those who are rigid.” “This religion of ours is easy to practice; whoever practices rigidity will only destroy himself/herself.”

 

Allah Almighty knows best.