Fatwa ID: 07259
Answered by: Maulana Ubaidur Rahman
Question:
Some essential oils herbs/vitamins are extracted using ethanol (a type of alcohol) to ensure the highest level of concentrate as opposed to water methods.
Are such products halal to consume?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Allah states in the Quraan regarding alcohol consumption,
۞ يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ ۖ قُلْ فِيهِمَآ إِثْمٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَآ أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا ۗ وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلِ ٱلْعَفْوَ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ[1]
Translation: They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people—but the evil outweighs the benefit.”1 They ˹also˺ ask you ˹O Prophet˺ what they should donate. Say, “Whatever you can spare.” This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you ˹believers˺, so perhaps you may reflect.
The Prophet (SAW) says in a hadeeth,
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ مَنْ شَرِبَ الْخَمْرَ فِي الدُّنْيَا، ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُبْ مِنْهَا، حُرِمَهَا فِي الآخِرَةِ[2] ”.
Translation: Narrated Ibn `Umar:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever drinks alcoholic drinks in the world and does not repent (before dying), will be deprived of it in the Hereafter.”
The main factor to consider when discussing alcohol is if the element of intoxication is present which alcohol is famous for having this attribute or element present. Then there is the taste and smell of which alcohol possesses. If all of these elements are absent or one of three elements only remains, then it will not be considered the same alcohol which is labelled as intoxicating and thereby prohibited for consumption in Islam.
As Muslims, we should try our highest level to abstain and keep away from those things and attributes which draw us towards the displeasure of Allah. It is also a commendable as worthy strong precaution to stay away from as much as possible these things which have a danger of leading to something else. In this case, as it is an oil product being used, then the same effect with regards to which alcohol has been prohibited in the first place will not be present, such as intoxication, due to lack of consumption or the element of consumption not being present.
According to Imam Abu Hanifah (RH) using alcohol for external affairs which are not related to consumption, such as any other form of use, as mentioned in your question, is blanket haram, i.e. not allowed at all[3]
Those things which are used to create alcohol or their effect its usual quantity from which the state of intoxication so not reached would be permissible. And those things such as sprays within which alcohol extracts are used would be Najasat Khafeefah (light impurity) upon the section which it touched. in the same vein, the oil would be under similar implications. if it is less than chickpeas amount then it would be considered permissible to pray with.
It would be halal and permissible to consume such products provided they are in a low quantity and the effect and state of alcohol is not present and it does not have the alcohol attributes present.
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Maulana Ubaidur Rahman.
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References
[1] Surah Baqara, 2:219.
[2] Sahih Bukhari, 5575
[3] Jadid Fiqhi Masaail, page 218, volume 1, Zam Zam Publishers.
