786 Cosmetics Engaged in Unethical, Non-Halal Behavior
Just because it’s labeled halal doesn’t mean the company is ethical.
Halal is sacred. It is not a slogan, not a marketing ploy, and not a checkbox for consumer appeal. It is a trust between producers, certifiers, and the halal-conscious consumer, grounded in the commands of God and the rights of the Muslim community. When that trust is violated, the consequences are not just commercial, they are spiritual.
We, at Halal Watch World, are issuing this statement as our civic duty to the public. It is necessary to expose the unethical and deceptive behavior of 786 Cosmetics, a subsidiary of Inventinc, which also owns Boxed Halal.
A Promising Beginning Built on Trust
786 Cosmetics approached Halal Watch World in early April 2024 seeking halal certification, and we welcomed the opportunity. They were positioning themselves as a leader in halal cosmetics, and we were prepared to help them uphold the integrity of that claim.
We entered into a four-year legally binding contractual agreement and, as a gesture of goodwill, gave them one full year of service free of charge.
Over the next five months, we conducted an exhaustive review of 78 cosmetic products, analyzing their formulations, source documentation, and ingredients for compliance with halal regulations and standards. In November 2024, we issued a halal certificate, affirming that their products were free from najis (impurities) and unlawful ingredients. The process was handled with professionalism and integrity, as showcased in an email confirming their satisfaction, stating, “It’s been a pleasure working with you and your team.”
We upheld our end of the agreement fully and faithfully.
The Deception: False Claims About Wudu
Shortly after certification, 786 Cosmetics began falsely advertising that:
- Their nail polish was “wudu-friendly”
- It had been tested and approved by Halal Watch World for water permeability
We did not test the product for permeability.
We did not approve it for use during wudu.
We did not issue any fatwa or ruling on its religious validity.
These claims are completely false. They represent a gross misrepresentation of our work and a spiritual betrayal of Muslim consumers.
The Consequences of Invalid Wudu
The gravity of this lie cannot be overstated. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The key to Paradise is prayer, and the key to prayer is purification (wudu).”
— Musnad Ahmad, 6664
And he issued a severe warning to those who neglect proper wudu.
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man praying and on the top of his foot was the size of a dirham (coin) that the water had not touched. The Prophet ﷺ ordered him to repeat the wudu and the prayer.”
(Abu Dawud, 175; al-Nasa’i, 92; Ibn Majah, 666)
In another narration from ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, among you are people who do not complete their wudu properly. Woe to the heels from the Hellfire!”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 60; Sahih Muslim, 241)
This was in reference to a man who had left a dry spot the size of a fingernail on his ankle during ablution. The Prophet ﷺ did not accept the prayer that followed and instead warned of Hellfire for such negligence.
This is why falsely claiming that a product allows for valid wudu is not just misleading, it is spiritually dangerous. Muslim women who relied on the false claim that 786 Cosmetics made have unknowingly offered prayers without proper purification, making them invalid!
Continued Misuse of Our Seal and Contract Breach
Despite our warnings and requests for correction, 786 Cosmetics continued to display our halal seal on their website and packaging. This continued well after their certification expired on May 10th, 2025, and remained visible as recently as the night before this statement was released.
Additionally, though we gave them five months of work and a full year free, they never paid a single dollar. Their first payment, due on May 11, 2025, was completely ignored. No communication. No explanation. No professionalism, even after repeated inquiries.
They took our certification, leveraged our credibility, made false religious claims, and disappeared.
Our Official Response
Halal Watch World is taking the following actions against 786 Cosmetics and its parent company, Inventinc:
- Full termination of all halal certification
- Formal complaints filed with: New Jersey Division of Halal Enforcement Illinois Halal Enforcement
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Referral to collections for breach of contract, including all fees owed through May 2027
- Legal enforcement of all contract terms
- Public release of documentation and evidence demonstrating the deception
To the Halal Industry and Public
To the halal industry:
Halal is not a marketing tool, Halal is not for sale, Halal is not a game.
To consumers:
Stay alert, ask questions, and do not assume a logo guarantees legitimacy.
To companies:
Let this be a warning. If you lie in the name of Islam, mislead the community, or misuse our certification, we will expose you.
Imam Mansoor Rafiq Umar
President, Halal Watch World
