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Swallowing of cream/perfume

Last updated: 5th April 2013
Question ID: #4226
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Assalamu'alaikum respected brother/sister in Islam. May Allah reward you for seeking to help me and our fellow Muslims. I am aware that synthetic alcohols - those not sourced from grapes, dates or raisins - are all permissible to use and consume as long as they reach four set criteria (SeekersGuidance, SunniPath, GMWA Food Guide). This rule applies to flavorings in food. Does this apply to non-food products too? The alcohol found in perfumes and creams etc. is often ethyl alcohol or alcohol denat and can sometimes be found listed as a separate ingredient. We are allowed to use such creams/deodorant/perfume externally on our skin/clothing and our salah is valid, but is it ok if some goes into the mouth and it is swallowed? When products are on the skin, they are absorbed by the pores and enter the body anyway. So does the same ruling apply for it being in the mouth? Is it impermissible to ingest such products via the mouth, though it has been absorbed into the body anyway, considering that it does meet the afore mentioned four permissibility criteria set for the synthetic alcohol? Often, the cream/perfume remains on the hands (which are used to eat food) from applying the product or it is on the lips, i.e. lipstick or from facial moisturising - is it haram to consume via the mouth if it is synthetic and meets the criteria to make it ok? Forgive me for my long windedness, I hope I have managed to ask what I sought to ask insha'Allah. You will be in my duahs insha'Allah. Wasalam.



Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Al Jawaab wa Billahit-Tawfeeq



Respected questioner,



The same criteria will apply in non-food products.



If the alcohol is from a grape or date source then it will be impure and thus not permissible to use.



If the alcohol is made from some other pure substance then it is pure and thus permissible for external use.



The alcohol commonly used in perfumes etc nowadays is not of grape or date source but rather from other sources such as maize, millet, wheat, potatoes, rice, petroleum etc. thus such perfumes etc is not regarded as impure according to Shariah. Applying such perfume etc will not render one's clothing as impure and Salaah (prayer) performed after applying such a perfume will be valid, it will not be necessary to repeat it.

It is recommended that you enquire regarding the source of Alcohol (if grape, date, synthetic or otherwise) in products such as creams, perfumes, medicine, deodorant etc by contacting the manufacturers before purchasing such items to determine its permissibility. [1]



References:



[1]

The following text from Takmila- Fath- Al-Mulhim expresses this:

وأما غير الأشربة الأربعة، فليست نجسة عند الإمام أبي حنيفة (رحمه الله) تعالى.

وبهذا يتيبين حكم الكحول المسكرة التي عمت بها البلوى اليوم، فإنها تستعمل في كثيرمن الأدوية و العطور والمركبات الأخرى، فإنّها إن اتخذت من العنب أو التّمر فلا سبيل إلي حلّتها أو طهارتها، وإن اتخذت من غيرهما فالأمر فيها سهل على مذهب أبي حنيفة (رحمه الله) تعالى، ولا يحرم إستعمالها للتداوي أو لأغراض مباحة أخرى ما لم تبلغ حد الإسكار، لأنها إنما تستعمل مركبة مع المواد الأخرى، ولا يحكم بنجاستها أخذاً بقول أبي حنيفة (رحمه الله)

وإن معظم الكحول التي تستعمل اليوم في الأدوية و العطور وغيرها لا تتخذ من العنب أو التمر، إنما تتخذ من الحبوب أو القشور أو البترول وغيره، كما ذكرنا في باب بيع الخمر من كتاب البيوع، و حينئذ هناك فسحة في الأخذ بقول أبي حنيفة عند عموم البلوي.

والله سبحانه أعلم.



(تكملة فتح الملهم بشرح صحيح المسلم- الجزء الثالث، صفحة ٥٠٦

باب تحريم الخمر، دار إحياء التراث العربي بيروت- لبنان)



And Allah knows best



(Moulana) Khalil Ibn Ilyas Laher


Ulamaa
Answer last updated on:
15th April 2013
Answered by:
Ulamaa ID 12
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