Fatwa ID: 01812

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Is it permissible for ladies to use medicine containing alcohol, to avoid hair fall to be applied on scalp?

Answer:

Alcohol extracted from grapes, dates and barley is impure and therefore application and consumption of this type is unlawful. However the alcohol used in perfumes/itr is not extracted from grapes, dates and barley, therefore according to the contemporary scholars it will be permissible to use.
Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani states in Takmila Fath al-Mulhim: “The ruling with regards to the various types of alcohol, the usage of which has become widespread and they are used in many medicines and perfumes, becomes known, in that if the alcohol is extracted from grapes or dates, then there is no question of it being permissible or pure. However, if the alcohol is derived from other than grapes or dates, then there is no problem according to the view of Imam Abu Hanifa, in that it will not be unlawful to use such alcohol for medical or other lawful purposes as long as the alcohol does not reach the level of intoxication…. And normally the alcohol used in medicines, perfumes, etc is not extracted from grapes and dates, rather it is derived from seeds, honey, chemicals, petrol, etc. (Vol 3, P608)

The conclusion we can come to is that it will be permissible to use medicines made out of alcohol. 

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.