Is it Permissible to Use a Haram Medication if Halal is Ineffective?


Hanafi Fiqh

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

If a haram medication works better than a halal alternative for a chronic (not life-threatening) condition, is it permissible to use it?

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.

Haram medicine becomes permissible only when a qualified medical expert confirms it is necessary and there is no effective, suitable halal alternative.

[Ibn Mazza, al-Muhit al-Burhani]

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

المحيط البرهاني في الفقه النعماني (5/ 373) [1]

فإن الاستشفاء بالمحرم إنما لا يجوز إذا لم يعلم أن فيه شفاءً؛ أما إذا علم أن فيه شفاء، وليس له دواء آخر غيره فيجوز الاستشفاء به؛

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.