Is Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover Impure?


Hanafi Fiqh

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Is acetone-free nail polish remover impure?

Answer

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Acetone-free nail polish remover is not impure even though it may contain synthetic alcohols, like methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methyl diglycol, and butyl diglycol.

According to reputable Muftis and Scholars, the fatwa in our day is that synthetic alcohol, as well as all alcohol that is not regarded as “khamr,” is pure (tahir) and permissible to use and consume 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).
Also, to note, one should use consider switching to a nail polish remover that doesn’t use toxic ingredients. There are also many polish removers on the market today that boast of being fully “natural” and biodegradable.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related 
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)?

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.