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What is the ruling on my sister using asthma medication mixed with alcohol, after it has been cooked so that its alcohol content is removed?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The majority of scholars are of the opinion that it is forbidden to seek treatment with alcohol (khamr), as it is a disease and not a cure. They base this on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying to Tariq ibn Suwayd al-Ju'fi: "Indeed, it is not a cure, but rather a disease." And the saying of Ibn Mas'ud: "Indeed, Allah has not made your cure in that which He has forbidden to you." And his (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibition of foul medicine, and his saying: "Indeed, Allah Almighty created disease and medicine, so seek treatment, but do not seek treatment with that which is forbidden." Although the Shafi'is permitted treating with it if it is mixed with something that consumes it, in the absence of pure alternatives and with the availability of conditions of necessity, the correct and evidence-based position is its absolute prohibition. Furthermore, mixing alcohol with herbs contaminates them, and they are not purified unless the alcohol undergoes a complete transformation into a non-intoxicating substance before mixing.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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