What is the ruling on taking medicine that contains alcohol out of necessity, and is it permissible for a pharmacist to sell it?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to treat oneself with medicine that contains a percentage of alcohol, due to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Verily, it is not a cure but a disease." However, if there is a necessity and no alcohol-free medicine that can substitute it is available, then it is permissible for the one in dire need to use it to the extent that it repels harm. If this is permissible for the patient, then it is permissible for the pharmacist to sell it to the one in dire need and to withhold it from those not in dire need. This applies to medicines where the percentage of alcohol is effective.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/55969
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 55969
- 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