What is the ruling on the use of spiritus by Muslims (for treatment and other purposes)?

The Shaykh : And this leads me to clarify the issue. It is not permissible for concentrated or liquid spiritus to be present in the lands of Islam, let alone in a Muslim’s home, specifically. This is not permissible, because, as we all know, Islam has forbidden certain things in themselves and has forbidden other things by way of blocking the means to harm. Thus, it is forbidden for a Muslim to sell grapes to one who will press them into intoxicants, by way of . Therefore, it is established in the hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed ten people regarding intoxicants, and all nine of them were not drinkers except the first one. But these nine, if it were not for them, the first one would not have been found: the presser, the one who presses, the one who pours, the seller, the buyer, the carrier, and the one to whom it is carried, to the end of the hadith. Therefore, the presence of spiritus for treatment in the home is not permissible, because when you buy spiritus alcohol, you are buying

The questioner : intoxicants.

The Shaykh : intoxicants. So it is not permissible to buy intoxicants for treatment or healing, especially after he (peace be upon him) was asked about healing with intoxicants, and he (peace be upon him) said: It is a disease, not a cure. This is what he (peace be upon him) said about the mother of all evils, so what can be said about the mother of the mother of all evils?

The questioner : And the ruling is the same regarding spiritus in small quantities in medicines, such as ... cough medicine.

The Shaykh : Medicines, if they are manufactured outside the country, it is permissible to use them, provided they are not intoxicating, meaning the majority of them.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : As for compounding them within the country, this requires either pressing intoxicants or pressing alcohol, and we have said that this is not permissible.