What is the ruling on using a medication applied to the scalp from which a strong alcoholic smell emanates, without knowing the percentage of alcohol in it, given that a small amount of it does not intoxicate?

If alcoholic medicine is applied to the head and not drunk, and a person needs it, there is no harm in using it, unless it is proven that the type of alcohol is intoxicating, such that drinking a large amount of the medicine would intoxicate if consumed. In that case, it is not permissible to sell it, buy it, or use it for treatment.

The Permanent Committee has issued a fatwa stating that whatever intoxicates in large quantities is Khamr (intoxicant), and it must be poured out, and it is not permissible to benefit from it in any way. As for what does not intoxicate in large quantities, it is not Khamr, and it is permissible to use it for treatment and disinfection.

They also issued a fatwa permitting the consumption and sale of medicines or sweets that contain a very small percentage of alcohol that does not intoxicate even if large quantities are consumed. However, it is not permissible for a Muslim to manufacture them or put them in food for Muslims.