What is the ruling regarding tofu?
The answer
Tofu is permissible to consume.
Fiqh basis
Tofu is made through a process that begins with soybeans, which are soaked in water, ground, and then boiled to produce soy milk. The soy milk is then filtered to remove the solid soybean pulp, known as okara. Once the soy milk is prepared, a coagulant, typically calcium sulphate (gypsum) or magnesium chloride (nigari), is added to the hot soy milk. This coagulant causes the proteins and fats in the soy milk to curdle and separate from the liquid, forming solid curds.
These curds are then gently scooped into moulds lined with cheesecloth, where they are pressed to remove excess whey (the liquid part). The amount of pressure and duration of pressing determine the final texture of the tofu, resulting in different types such as soft, firm, or extra firm tofu. After pressing, the tofu blocks are submerged in cold water to solidify and are then cut into smaller pieces for packaging and sale. This basic process can be modified to create various styles and flavours of tofu, depending on regional preferences and culinary uses.
Tofu is plant-based because it is made from soybeans, which are a type of legume. The process involves extracting soy milk from the beans, then using a plant-friendly coagulant to curdle the milk and form solid curds. These curds are pressed into blocks, resulting in tofu, which contains no animal products or by-products, making it entirely suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Imam ʿAlā’ al-Dīn Ibn ʿĀbidīn (d.1306 AH) mentions that items which are plant based are permissible to consume.iFurthermore, Imam Ibn Māzah al-Bukhārī (d.616 AH) mentions that the fundamental principle is that purity is the original state of all things, with impurity being something incidental.ii Therefore, things are presumed to be pure unless it is established that they have become impure. The principle emphasises that purity is the default state, and to establish the impurity of something, definitive proof will be needed. This is based on the famous principle which has been mentioned by many of the Ḥanafī jurists including Q̣ādhī Khān (d.592 AH).iii
Therefore, due to the fact that tofu is plant based, it will be permissible to consume.
And Allah knows best.
Maulana Inaamul Hasan Chothia
Reviewed and approved by Mufti Faraz Adam
References
iقَوْلُهُ فَيُفْهَمُ مِنْهُ حُكْمُ النَّبَاتِ) وَهُوَ الْإِبَاحَةُ عَلَى الْمُخْتَارِ (تكملة رد المحتار)
iiلأن الطهارة في الأشياء أصل والنجاسة عارض، فيجري على الأصل حتى يعلم حدوث العارض، وما يقول بأن الظاهر هو النجاسة، قلنا: نعم، ولكن الطهارة كانت ثابتة، واليقين لا يزال إلا بيقين مثله؛ ألا ترى أنه لو أصاب عضو إنسان أو ثوبه سؤر الدجاجة، أو الماء الذي أدخل فيه يده، وصلى مع ذلك جازت صلاته، وطريقه ما قلنا: أن الأصل في الأشياء الطهارة، وقد تيقنا بالطهارة وشككنا في النجاسة فلا تثبت النجاسة بالشك، وهذا إذا لم يعلم بنجاسة الأواني.) المحيط البرهاني(
iiiاليقين لا يزول بالشك (شرح الزيادات)
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.