Is Homeopathic Treatment Permissible in Shari‘ah? A Detailed Review
Sourced from: Aḥkām wa Masā’il, Ta‘wīdh aur Dum ke Masā’il, Volume 1, Page 465
Homeopathic Treatment and the Use of Alcohol: The Shar‘i Perspective
❀ Question
Respected Sir! I am pursuing a four-year homeopathic course. Some of my friends, brothers, and other close associates are stopping me from continuing this course. They say that alcohol is used in homeopathic treatment, which is Islamically forbidden. According to them, homeopathic medicines contain up to 90% alcohol, which makes the medicine effective. Kindly inform me of the actual reality of this issue: is this treatment permissible or impermissible according to Shar‘i standards? I await your response and require solid proofs and clear evidence in this regard.
❀ Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The statement of some of your friends, brothers, and other sincere associates is correct because:
◈ Alcohol is an intoxicating substance.
◈ Every intoxicant, in Shar‘i terms, falls under the ruling of khamr (wine).
◈ And every khamr (wine) is forbidden.
Evidences from the Noble Hadith
In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ خَمْرٌ وَكُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ»
(كتاب الأشربة، باب بيان أن كل مسكر خمر وأن كل خمر حرام)
Meaning:
“Every intoxicant is wine, and every intoxicant is unlawful.”
In the Light of the Qur’an
Allah, the Exalted, says:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡخَمۡرُ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرُ وَٱلۡأَنصَابُ وَٱلۡأَزۡلَٰمُ رِجۡسٞ مِّنۡ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ فَٱجۡتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ﴾
(سورۃ المائدہ، آیت 90)
Meaning:
“O you who have believed! Intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars, and divining arrows are all filth from the work of Satan, so avoid them that you may be successful.”
Ruling on Trade and Use
According to a narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared the trade of khamr (wine) to be unlawful.
Therefore:
◈ Seeking treatment through khamr or alcohol included within it
◈ Selling or manufacturing such a medicine
is impermissible and unlawful in Shar‘i terms.
Conclusion
① Homeopathic treatment, in most cases, consists of alcohol.
② And that alcohol is intoxicating.
③ Therefore, seeking treatment through it, as well as its study and business, contradicts Shar‘i principles.
You should completely avoid such business and treatment so that you may attain the pleasure of Allah and success in the Hereafter.
ھٰذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
