The Ruling on Perfume Containing Alcohol
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Your Eminence! What is the ruling on using perfume (cologne) that contains alcohol?
Regarding perfumes that are said to contain cologne or alcohol, we must distinguish between them and say: If the proportion of alcohol is small, it does not harm, and a person may use it without feeling anxious, such as if the proportion is (5%) or (2%) or (1%), then this has no effect.
As for when the proportion is large enough to have an effect, it is better that a person not use it except for a need, such as disinfecting wounds or the like. As for using it without a need, it is better not to use it.And we do not say: It is forbidden, because this large proportion is the highest level at which we say it is intoxicating, and there is no doubt that drinking what is intoxicating is forbidden by explicit text and scholarly consensus. But is using it for other than drinking lawful? This is a matter of consideration, and the precaution is not to use it.And I only said: It is a matter of consideration;For Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ma'idah: 91],So if we look at the generality of His saying: (So avoid it) We took the generality of this and said: Intoxicants are to be avoided in all cases, whether as a drink, an ointment, or otherwise.And if we look at the operative cause: [Al-Ma'idah: 91] It becomes clear that what is prohibited is specifically drinking it; because merely applying it as an ointment does not lead to this.
So the summary now is that we say: If the proportion of alcohol or cologne in this perfume is small, there is nothing wrong with it, no issue with it, and no anxiety about it. If it is large, it is better to avoid it except for a need, and a need is such as when a person needs to disinfect a wound or the like.
Regarding perfumes that are said to contain cologne or alcohol, we must distinguish between them and say: If the proportion of alcohol is small, it does not harm, and a person may use it without feeling anxious, such as if the proportion is (5%) or (2%) or (1%), then this has no effect.
As for when the proportion is large enough to have an effect, it is better that a person not use it except for a need, such as disinfecting wounds or the like. As for using it without a need, it is better not to use it.And we do not say: It is forbidden, because this large proportion is the highest level at which we say it is intoxicating, and there is no doubt that drinking what is intoxicating is forbidden by explicit text and scholarly consensus. But is using it for other than drinking lawful? This is a matter of consideration, and the precaution is not to use it.And I only said: It is a matter of consideration;For Allah the Exalted said:
(90) O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. (91) Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنْصَابُ وَالْأَزْلامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ * إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلاةِ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُونَSatan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?
إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلاةِ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُونَSo the summary now is that we say: If the proportion of alcohol or cologne in this perfume is small, there is nothing wrong with it, no issue with it, and no anxiety about it. If it is large, it is better to avoid it except for a need, and a need is such as when a person needs to disinfect a wound or the like.