Using Cosmetic Products Tested on Animals

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

What is the ruling of using cosmetics and skin care products tested on animals?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Purchasing and using these products is intrinsically permissible, because one is not directly sinning through the purchase and use of them, and the sale is a valid one. However, there are major ethical concerns with such products and it is best to avoid one. Doing so would be considered Ihsan (excellence in worship). (Quduri, al-Mukhtasar)

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) throughly encouraged this when he said, “Indeed, Allah has commanded excellence on everything. When one of you kills, do it with excellence; when you slaughter, do so with excellence. You should sharpen your knife and put the animal at ease.” (Muslim)

This hadith is about the need to kill animals for food and other things. Despite that, one should do so in the best of ways. Based on this, products that have been tested on animals don’t fall under the bracket of excellence, so it’s better to use alternatives when avaliable.

May Allah allows us to embody excellence in all matters.
[Shaykh]Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.