Kopi luwak, more commonly known as “civet coffee,” has long intrigued coffee enthusiasts. Produced from partially digested and fermented coffee cherries excreted by Asian palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphrodites), these beans pass through its digestive tract before being expelled through its excretory organs before being collected, washed, and roasted to produce delicious coffee beans with unique flavors and smooth textures – some Muslims are uncertain whether its unconventional source makes kopi luwak considered halal given its unique sources.

Answering this question is actually straightforward. Muslim scholars have established that coffee seeds excreted by civets that are in good condition and undistractable from any impurity can be washed and used to create coffee; then sold as halal products.

So in simple terms, if civet coffee beans are free from contamination by dirt, feces and bodily fluids they are considered pure and halal. Roasting and grinding of these beans further purifies them from germs; at least three washes prior to being roasted should remove all physical impurities completely by the time they reach consumers.

However, some scholars dispute this statement; they believe anything contaminated with human waste cannot be cleansed spiritually and should therefore not be considered halal and should be avoided. As a result of these beliefs they rule that kopi luwak should be avoided to maintain Islamic purity.

Other Muslim scholars take a more liberal stance. According to them, civet coffee beans that can be washed, roasted and ground so as to remove any potential najis are acceptable as foodstuffs in Islam and should therefore be consumed by Muslim consumers. Additionally, they note that any form of coffee would not cause intoxication under Islamic law and is therefore permissible to consume. This ruling follows the general Muslim dietary rules which state that all foods and drinks that do not contravene Islamic law may be consumed so long as they do not include anything forbidden; hence most coffee varieties, including highly sought-after civet coffee are considered halal. However, it should be remembered that even though kopi luwak is made from ingredients deemed non-haram, such as animal droppings, it must still be consumed with caution and should only be enjoyed occasionally. Therefore, kopi luwak coffee should not be taken by those prone to constipation and diarrhea as the caffeine present in this beverage can exacerbate these conditions in some individuals. Consumption of civet coffee during periods of fasting should be avoided as this could cause dehydration and discomfort; however if you are healthy without any medical issues kopi luwak can provide an excellent source of energy and provide an enjoyable alternative to other forms of coffee.