Short answer
Not in the Hanafi school. Carmine (E120, cochineal) is a red colour made from crushed insects, and the Hanafi school forbids eating insects apart from locusts. The Maliki school allows it. Carmine is not impure in the Hanafi school, so lipstick or cosmetics containing it do not affect your wudu or prayer.
All insects except locusts are haram to eat as khaba'ith (repulsive things), including crickets, mealworms, ants and the cochineal insect. Insects with no flowing blood are not impure, so carmine on the skin does not make you or your clothes impure.
Other madhhabs
- Maliki
- Insects may be eaten if killed with the intention of making them lawful and with Allah's name, so carmine and edible insects are allowed.
Explanation
Carmine is made from the dried bodies of the cochineal, a small insect that lives on cactus. It gives a bright red or pink colour and appears in yoghurts, sweets, drinks, sausages and icing. Labels call it carmine, cochineal, carminic acid, natural red 4 or E120.
The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools agree with the Hanafis that insects are not eaten, apart from locusts, which the Companions ate with the Prophet ﷺ. The Maliki school allows insects when they are killed with the intention of making them lawful, so many Malikis accept carmine.
The same ruling covers the new insect foods: cricket flour, mealworm snacks and insect protein bars are not eaten in the Hanafi school. Locusts are the exception, and they need no slaughter.
Two points often cause worry:
- Accidental bugs: eating fruit or flour with a tiny insect you did not see is not a sin.
- Cosmetics: lipstick or blush with carmine does not break wudu and does not make you impure, because an insect without flowing blood is not najis in the Hanafi school. Avoid swallowing it.
Red colour from beetroot, paprika, lycopene or anthocyanins is plant-based and halal. Check products with the halal food checker, and see E-numbers.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-A'raaf 7:157
ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَىٰهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْخَبَٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَٱلْأَغْلَٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ ۙ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿١٥٧﴾
Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.
Insects are counted among the repulsive things in the Hanafi school.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5495
Sahih... سبع غزوات أو ستا كنا نأكل معه الجراد ...
"We went on seven expeditions with the Prophet, eating locusts with him."
Locusts are the exception among insects.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Dhaba'ih, on what may and may not be eaten. Insects and small crawling creatures are not eaten, except locusts.
- Mukhtasar Khalil with al-Sharh al-Kabir, Bab al-Mubah, on permitted foods. The Maliki view on eating insects.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.