I have a question. Al-hamdulillah, I am a Muslim and I am always making sure I eat Halaal food. I need to know if the ingredient "vanilla" or "vanilla flavor" is Halaal or Haraam. Please let me know as soon as possible.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

According to our knowledge vanilla is an ingredient that is used for making cakes and it is not known that vanilla is made from any forbidden element, therefore we do not see any harm in its use unless it is confirmed that it is made with some forbidden ingredients like alcohol for instance, in which case it is forbidden to use it.

Allaah Knows best.