Opinion: Snake Venom And Halal Cosmetics Consumers

By: Fakihah Azahari

In many religious traditions especially Islamic traditions, the serpent is often referred to as an animal that broods evil. Prophet Adam and Hawwa were said to have been persuaded by Iblees (Satan) who assumed and appeared in the form of a serpent that instigated Hawwa and Prophet Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. According to tafsir Ibn Kathir, Prophet Adam and Hawwa were commanded to descend from Paradise as a result of their transgression and this command was also addressed to the serpent. In a hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, the Prophet was reported to have said (in reference to the nature of the serpent) “We have not compromised with them since we had started our fight with them”.

Thus, in Islamic historical traditions a serpent is considered as an impure animal as described in Surah Al A’raf:157 “…for he (the Prophet) commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure)…” (Surah al-A’raf, V: 157.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade the eating of every carnivorous animal that has fangs, and every bird which has talons. (Narrated by Muslim, 6/60). It is clear that snakes fall within this prohibition. Not only is its meat  forbidden for consumption, all other parts of the snake shall not be applied for other uses such as for cosmetics.

Latest research by a Swiss based company in Switzerland called Pentapharm propagates the use of snake venom in its beauty products. The company received the well reputed and highly coveted Swiss Technology Award in 2006 for its innovative cosmetic ingredient. For years, Pentapharm had been conducting research using snake venom as an active ingredient for application in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. This new ingredient is presented as the latest innovation in anti aging solutions where it’s maker claim that it supersede all other anti aging products including Botox in terms of superiority and safety.

Pentapharm was aided in its research investigation by the availability of over 10,000 species of snake venoms bred and kept on its farm in Brazil, considered as the largest snake farm in the world. One particular species though had so distinguished itself from all other species that the company focused its investigation into the properties of venom obtained from this species. The species known as the “Temple Viper” is a legendary species first discovered by a German scientist in the 19^th century whilst conducting field work in the Snake Temple of Penang.  The Temple Viper still reside in the Snake Temple in significant numbers and is regarded by its worshippers as a reincarnation of a deity that has been granted a cult status since the last one hundred and fifty years.

The Temple Viper’s snake venom is especially chosen for its “muscle-freezing” characteristics which act as an excellent anti wrinkle action. Unlike Botox which affects facial expression, the snake venom cream freezes the muscle while retaining facial expression necessary for actors in their acting careers. As such it is highly favoured by many Hollywood celebrities the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Katie Holmes, Naomi Campbell and Cheryl Cole. Users testify that the product offers the perfect solution for anti aging efforts by reducing the appearance of wrinkles by up to 52%. The product is actively marketed under various names, the most popular being SYN®-AKE. The snake venom face cream may be easily applied and is competitively priced for consumers, which would make it an affordable product for many consumer segments.

The snake venom face cream join other established brand names in a beauty industry that currently generate an estimated revenue of USD60 billion per annum globally and that figure is steadily increasing. As it is proving to be one of the best selling products in Europe and America, its manufacturer will definitely soon spread its wings to Asia. Once it reaches the shores of Malaysia, there is no law that makes it mandatory for its manufacturer to apply and obtain a halal certificate from Jabatan Agama Islam Malaysia. The Malaysian laws on halal provide for offences for infringement of halal logos committed by companies who do not possess a halal certificate but misrepresent to the public that they have been issued with one. Companies however, are under no compulsion to apply for halal certificates and commit no offence if they do not misrepresent to the public that they possess a halal certificate. Without the requirement to apply for halal certificate, Muslim consumers may be unaware that the product may not be halal from Islamic perspective.

The prohibition of the snake venom is not merely confined to its consumption as food and other uses, the fact that it is worshipped by its followers render it as a form of charm or talisman used in many culture and particularly known as ‘susuk’ in the Malay culture. ‘Susuk’ is used by the insertion of charm or talisman into a person’s skin mainly for the purpose of beauty which is unequivocally against the teachings of Shariah. Surah Al Maidah:3 of the Quran states that “Prohibited to you are animals that die of themselves, blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than God…”. The National Religious Council of Malaysia had issued a fatwa in 2006 stating that the use of Botox ( a substance inserted into a person’s face) is haram if there is no pressing necessity to use it medically. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore states that the practice of wearing ‘susuk’ is against Islamic teachings and can bring about shirk (association of other partners with Allah).

In a hadith, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) once saw a man wearing a yellow bangle and asked him, “What is this?” “The man answered, “It is al-wahinah (that which weakens)”. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Take if off! Verily it will not increase you in anything, except in sickness and if you die adorning it, no happiness will come to you forever”.

The Quran described an advise rendered by Luqman to his son, “O my son! Do not ascribe partners to Allah. Indeed shrik is a great injustice” (Surah Luqman:13).

The above Quranic injunctions and hadiths clearly do not allow the use of forbidden animals for food consumption and to beautify one’s appearance. The exemption for its usage is tolerated only in cases of extreme necessity where the circumstances of extreme necessity have to be proven and justified. An example of extreme necessity is for medical purposes to save the life of a person for which no other halal alternative is available.

However extreme necessity could not be said to be a factor that permits the use of snake venom in cosmetic and beauty product application. The quest for beauty should not lead Muslim consumers down the path of shirk (polytheist) and moral decay, but instead towards appreciating inner beauty and striking a balance between moral, spiritual and ethical dimensions.