Fatwa ID: 07061
Answered by: Maulana Burhaan Rahman
Question:
I have a question in some products where there is Benzyl Alcohol in it, such as perfumes, vaseline, hand cream etc. Are we allowed to use them?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Benzyl alcohol isn’t you conventional alcohol (khamr) for drinking.
According to the contact dermatitis institute:
“Benzyl alcohol is found in many naturally occurring plant products such as Balsam of Peru and is also a component of essential oils such as hyacinth, jasmine, and ylang ylang oils. Benzyl alcohol is also prevalent in hair dyes, shampoos, facial cleansers, sunscreens, fragrances, and cosmetics.”
Our beloved prophet SAW has mentioned:
وَالْخَمْرُ مَا خَامَرَ الْعَقْلَ
“khamr” is that which befogs the mind. [Muslim Hadeeth no: 3032]
كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ خَمْرٌ وَكُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ
“Every intoxicant is Khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden” [Muslim Hadeeth no: 2003]
This (Benzyl alcohol) is not conventional alcohol. This isn’t an intoxicant like the “fermented” alcohol which is derived from grapes/potatoes for intoxicating consumption etc.
The alcohol in drinks is called ethanol (ethyl alcohol). It is made when yeast ferments the sugars in grains, fruits and vegetables. For example, wine is made from the sugar in grapes and vodka is made from the sugar in potatoes. [HealthGov]
Khamr (alcohol) is derived from certain types of food etc.
Umar (RA) mentioned:
قَالَ نَزَلَ تَحْرِيمُ الْخَمْرِ يَوْمَ نَزَلَ وَهِيَ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْعِنَبِ وَالتَّمْرِ وَالْعَسَلِ وَالْحِنْطَةِ وَالشَّعِيرِ وَالْخَمْرُ مَا خَامَرَ الْعَقْلَ
The prohibition of wine came down when (the Qur’anic verse) came down. It was made from five thing namely, grapes, dates, honey, wheat, barley. Wine is what infects (khamara) the mind. [Sunan Abi Dawood Hadeeth no: 3669]
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Burhaan Rahman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
