Source: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani – Ahkām wa Masā’il: In the Light of Qur’an and Sunnah
Is it permissible to use prohibited (ḥarām) substances for medical treatment in Islam?
Using ḥarām (forbidden) substances for treatment is not permissible in Islam.
❖ Ṭāriq ibn Suwayd رضي الله عنه narrated:
He asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about making alcohol (khamr) into a medicine.
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"It is not a cure; it is a disease."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ashriba, Bāb: Taḥrīm al-Tadāwī bil-Khamr – Hadith: 1984)
(Also in Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, Bāb: Fī al-Adwiyah al-Makrūhah – Hadith: 3873)
❖ Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"The Prophet ﷺ forbade using impure or filthy medicines (al-dawāʾ al-khabīth)."
(Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb – Hadith: 3870, and also 3871, 3873)
❖ Abū al-Dardāʾ رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Indeed, Allah has sent down the disease and the cure, and made for every disease a cure. So treat yourselves—but do not treat using ḥarām."
(Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb – Hadith: 3874, also after Hadith: 3869)
These clear and authentic narrations establish that:
Allah ﷻ has created ḥalāl remedies for every disease.
It is upon qualified Muslim doctors and scholars to research and prioritize lawful treatments in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Blindly following Jews, Christians, disbelievers, or idolaters in adopting forbidden pharmaceutical practices is not befitting for a Muslim.
Producing, promoting, and selling ḥarām medicines goes against the values of Islamic ethics.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to use prohibited (ḥarām) substances for medical treatment in Islam?
❖ Answer:
Using ḥarām (forbidden) substances for treatment is not permissible in Islam.
◈ Evidence from Authentic Aḥādīth:
❖ Ṭāriq ibn Suwayd رضي الله عنه narrated:
He asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about making alcohol (khamr) into a medicine.
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"It is not a cure; it is a disease."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ashriba, Bāb: Taḥrīm al-Tadāwī bil-Khamr – Hadith: 1984)
(Also in Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, Bāb: Fī al-Adwiyah al-Makrūhah – Hadith: 3873)
❖ Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"The Prophet ﷺ forbade using impure or filthy medicines (al-dawāʾ al-khabīth)."
(Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb – Hadith: 3870, and also 3871, 3873)
❖ Abū al-Dardāʾ رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Indeed, Allah has sent down the disease and the cure, and made for every disease a cure. So treat yourselves—but do not treat using ḥarām."
(Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb – Hadith: 3874, also after Hadith: 3869)
Ruling and Reflection:
These clear and authentic narrations establish that:
- It is not allowed to use ḥarām substances (e.g., alcohol, impure ingredients) as medicine.
- Those doctors, physicians, and pharmacists who incorporate forbidden elements into medicine must refrain from doing so.
- They should instead utilize ḥalāl and pure alternatives for treatment and healing.
❖ A Call for Awareness:
Allah ﷻ has created ḥalāl remedies for every disease.
It is upon qualified Muslim doctors and scholars to research and prioritize lawful treatments in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Blindly following Jews, Christians, disbelievers, or idolaters in adopting forbidden pharmaceutical practices is not befitting for a Muslim.
Producing, promoting, and selling ḥarām medicines goes against the values of Islamic ethics.
