Source: Fatāwā of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
Is it Islamically permissible to use forbidden items like alcohol as a form of treatment? A clarification is requested in the light of the Qur’ān and Hadith.
Islamic law strongly emphasizes complete abstention from prohibited items, as such substances are inherently not remedies, but diseases. Allah ﷻ has declared these items ḥarām due to their impurity and harmful effects, and attributing healing properties to them contradicts the teachings of Sharīʿah.
❶ Narration from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī:
Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"فإن الله لم يجعل شفاء أمتي فيما حرم عليها"
Translation: Allah has not placed the cure for my Ummah in that which He has prohibited.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
❷ Narration from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim and al-Tirmidhī:
Ḥaḍrat Wā'il Ḥaḍramī رضي الله عنه narrated that Ṭāriq ibn Suwayd asked the Prophet ﷺ about alcohol. The Prophet ﷺ forbade it. Ṭāriq further said that he intended to use it as medicine. The Prophet ﷺ responded:
"إنه ليس بدواء, ولكنه داء"
Translation: It is not a remedy; rather, it is a disease.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1984, Bāb: Taḥrīm al-Tadāwī bil-Khamr | al-Tirmidhī 2047, Bāb: Karāhiyat al-Tadāwī bil-Musk)
There is no room for permissibility in the presence of such clear and explicit narrations. The Prophet ﷺ unequivocally stated that no healing has been placed in forbidden items. In light of these Hadiths, it is impermissible for any Muslim to use ḥarām substances for medicinal purposes.
It is the hallmark of a true believer to be willing to sacrifice his life, yet not abandon the commandments of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Preferring the opinion of any doctor or layperson over the ruling of the Prophet ﷺ is a sign of dishonesty and ignorance.
Some people intentionally or out of ignorance use ḥarām items and label their situation as one of necessity (ḍarūrah). This reflects the weakness of their faith, because even in cases of necessity, only that which is truly life-saving may be used—and only in proportion to the need.
The use of forbidden substances such as alcohol for treatment is categorically impermissible.
The Qur’ān and Hadith offer clear and firm evidence that the use of such items as medicine is strictly forbidden.
A Muslim must adhere to the commands of the Prophet ﷺ with full conviction and seek treatment through ḥalāl and permissible means only.
❀ Question
Is it Islamically permissible to use forbidden items like alcohol as a form of treatment? A clarification is requested in the light of the Qur’ān and Hadith.
❀ Use of Prohibited Substances According to Qur’ān and Sunnah
Islamic law strongly emphasizes complete abstention from prohibited items, as such substances are inherently not remedies, but diseases. Allah ﷻ has declared these items ḥarām due to their impurity and harmful effects, and attributing healing properties to them contradicts the teachings of Sharīʿah.
✔ Evidences from Hadith
❶ Narration from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī:
Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"فإن الله لم يجعل شفاء أمتي فيما حرم عليها"
Translation: Allah has not placed the cure for my Ummah in that which He has prohibited.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
❷ Narration from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim and al-Tirmidhī:
Ḥaḍrat Wā'il Ḥaḍramī رضي الله عنه narrated that Ṭāriq ibn Suwayd asked the Prophet ﷺ about alcohol. The Prophet ﷺ forbade it. Ṭāriq further said that he intended to use it as medicine. The Prophet ﷺ responded:
"إنه ليس بدواء, ولكنه داء"
Translation: It is not a remedy; rather, it is a disease.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1984, Bāb: Taḥrīm al-Tadāwī bil-Khamr | al-Tirmidhī 2047, Bāb: Karāhiyat al-Tadāwī bil-Musk)
❀ Sharʿī Ruling on Using Prohibited Items as Medicine
There is no room for permissibility in the presence of such clear and explicit narrations. The Prophet ﷺ unequivocally stated that no healing has been placed in forbidden items. In light of these Hadiths, it is impermissible for any Muslim to use ḥarām substances for medicinal purposes.
❀ Importance of the Prophet’s ﷺ Teachings
It is the hallmark of a true believer to be willing to sacrifice his life, yet not abandon the commandments of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Preferring the opinion of any doctor or layperson over the ruling of the Prophet ﷺ is a sign of dishonesty and ignorance.
❀ Misuse of the Exception of Necessity
Some people intentionally or out of ignorance use ḥarām items and label their situation as one of necessity (ḍarūrah). This reflects the weakness of their faith, because even in cases of necessity, only that which is truly life-saving may be used—and only in proportion to the need.
✿ Conclusion
The use of forbidden substances such as alcohol for treatment is categorically impermissible.
The Qur’ān and Hadith offer clear and firm evidence that the use of such items as medicine is strictly forbidden.
A Muslim must adhere to the commands of the Prophet ﷺ with full conviction and seek treatment through ḥalāl and permissible means only.
