Fatwa ID: 08313
Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi
Question:
Is the use of medication extracted from cow tendon permissible?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The use of animal-derived substances in medicine is subject to clear guidelines based on purity (taharah), lawful consumption, and necessity
According to Hanafi Fiqh, if an animal such as a cow is slaughtered according to Islamic law, then its parts including flesh, bones, tendons, and fat are considered pure (Tahir). Therefore, any medication derived from such parts would be permissible (halal) for consumption or medical use.
However, if the cow is not slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, it is regarded as a maytah (carrion), and its parts including tendons are impure (Najis). The use of such substances becomes impermissible unless under certain conditions.
Therefore, if the animal is slaughtered according to Islamic law, then it is permissible to use the medication which is extracted for e.g. from a cow’s tendon.
However, In Hanafi Fiqh, medication derived from cow tendon is only permissible if:
The cow was slaughtered Islamically (making the source pure).
Or, if not halal-slaughtered, the medication is necessary, there’s no alternative, and it’s prescribed by a qualified medical professional.
References:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبَادَةَ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ عَيَّاشٍ، عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي عِمْرَانَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، عَنْ أُمِّ الدَّرْدَاءِ، عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَنْزَلَ الدَّاءَ وَالدَّوَاءَ وَجَعَلَ لِكُلِّ دَاءٍ دَوَاءً فَتَدَاوَوْا وَلاَ تَدَاوَوْا بِحَرَامٍ ”
Sunan Abi Dawud 3874 Maktaba Shamila
الضَّرُورَاتُ تُبِيحُ الْمَحْظُورَاتِ
Qawaid al Fiqhiya Pg 43
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
