Are Weeds Like Purslane and Herbs Like Rosemary Permissible?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Are weeds and herbs like purslane and rosemary permissible? I have read online that “There is a chemical compound in rosemary leaves called thujone that is known to have psychoactive properties.” JazakAllah khayr.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
It is permissible to consume purslane or use products that contain it. Also, it is permissible to consume herbs like rosemary despite its psychoactive effect, which is when it is used and consumed in large amounts.
Purslane
Purslane is a tasty weed with many nutrients. Although it is known as a weed in many cultures, purslane is a highly nutritious, leafy green vegetable. It’s chock full of antioxidants, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and beneficial plant compounds.
Rosemary
Herbs like rosemary are consumed for its benefits. It adds a fragrant, savory note to dishes. Some people claim that rosemary can help reduce muscle pain, boost the immune system, and improve memory. However, it can interact with some medications.
The purpose of your usage is not to use it for its psychoactive effects but to consume it. It will only be impermissible if it is used in the following way:
- used in a way that has a psychoactive effect
- used for vain (i.e., useless) purposes.
[Usmani, Buhuth Fi Qadaya Fiqhiyya al-Mu‘asara; Takmila Fath al-Mulhim]
In summary, both are permissible as an ingredient in cosmetics and medicinally if done with the doctor’s direction.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related
- Purslane – A Tasty “Weed” That is Loaded With Nutrients (healthline.com)
- Cosmetics Archives – SeekersGuidance
- What Is the Ruling on Alcohol in Cosmetics, Shampoo, and Medicine? (seekersguidance.org)
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org), like from the Islamic Studies Curriculum (seekersguidance.org), building your way up doing each course?
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
