What is the ruling on consuming foods and medicines that contain alcohol, given that some of them are necessary for improving memory or treating certain diseases, and that some foods are intoxicating yet do not contain alcohol?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The alcoholic substance is the cause of the prohibition and impurity of intoxicants. It is not permissible to use it in food and medicine, for intoxicants are "an abomination of Satan's handiwork; so avoid it." This prohibition includes alcohol and whatever is added to it if it causes intoxication. However, if it transforms into a substance that does not intoxicate, there is no harm in consuming it. It is permissible to use alcohol in medicine and food only in cases of extreme necessity.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/84703
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 84703
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy