What Are the Rulings on Non-edible Items Containing Alcohol?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
If shampoo contains alcohol that is derived from wheat, would that be OK to use, or would it be haram and impure?
Also, if food items or products for use contain alcohol or if ingredients are extracted with alcohol, if machines are cleaned with alcohol that is derived from alcohol made from honey, wheat, barley, or corn, would those things be haram and or impure? Basically, what is the ruling for alcohol that is derived from non-grapes or dates, and is there a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace)?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health.
Reputable Muftis and Scholars have said the fatwa in our times is that synthetic alcohol, and all alcohol not considered ‘khamr’ made from honey, wheat, barley, or corn is pure (tahir) and permitted to be used and consumed as long as:
- It is not used as an intoxicant;
- It is not used as intoxicant as used (i.e., for alcoholic consumption, even a little);
- It is not used in an amount that intoxicates;
- It is not used in vain (lahw).
Alcohol in Cosmetic Products
It is permitted to use deodorants and creams containing alcohol, as it is invariably synthetic alcohol and not the khamr (wine) that is absolutely impermissible and filthy.
Alcohol in Medicine
In general, it is permitted to consume non-wine alcohol as long as (1) it is not used as an intoxicant, (2) it is not used as intoxicants are used, (3) it is not used in an amount which intoxicates, and (4) it is not used in vain.
If there are alternatives, one should first look to alternatives to avoid the difference of opinion on the issue. [Taqi Usmani, Qadaya Fiqhiyya al-Mu‘asara, Fiqh al-Buyu‘]
In summary, if any of the above ingredients make you fall into intrusive thoughts and doubts, move away from them for a bit or all together and find alternative products. However, one has to follow the majority of Muslims, and when you see righteous scholars and Muslims using these products that have the above ingredient, it should assure you that you should not worry at all.
Related:
- Cosmetics Archives.
- Is It Permissible to Use Medicine With Haram Ingredients?
- Can I Use Polyethylene, Propylene glycol, Ethanol, and Methanol?
- Devil’s Tricks – The Path of Muhammad: Birgivi’s Manual of Taqwa Explained. [Video]
- Doubts – IPD Session #3 | COJ – an ISIP Youth Chapter Initiative
- The Application of Islamic Psychotherapy for the Treatment of OCD.
- Key Principles Relating to Certainty, Doubt, and Baseless Misgivings (Waswasa)
- A Reader on OCD and Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings).
- Satanic Tactics: Seven Tricks of the Devil.
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
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.
