Alcohol in Medicine Fatwa No: 85583
- Fatwa Date:9-2-2003
I want to kmow the position of the alcohol found in medicines, it's relation to that prohibited and any more information that we Muslim might require about the medicinal alcohol.
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
Treatment with alcohol is forbidden for the Prophet’s Hadeeth that records a reply concerning treatment with wine: “Wine is malady not medicament.” [Muslim]
Islam legalizes using what is forbidden as a medicine if it is necessary while there is no substitute.
Allah Says (what means): {… while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled.} [Quran 6:19]
This verse denotes that it is legal to take what is forbidden as medicine in case of dire need with the exception of using wine, which is forbidden even if there is a need to use it. It is forbidden and a malady.
For more benefit on taking medicine that contains alcohol, please refer to Fataawa 367159, 306379, 263212, 227383, 90894, 87607, and 387646.
For more benefit on the prohibition of alcohol in Islam, please refer to Fataawa 81900, 81389, and 81461.
Allah knows best.