Her second question: She says, “I have been afflicted with epilepsy, and praise be to Allah, and I have seizures from time to time. The doctor has ordered me to take pills that cause the body to relax, and I have heard that they contain forbidden substances because they are narcotic, knowing that if I stop taking them, I will become ill. Please advise us, may Allah reward you, with what is good and righteous?”
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The questioner : Her second question: She says, “I have been afflicted with epilepsy, and praise be to Allah, and I have seizures from time to time. The doctor has ordered me to take pills that cause the body to relax, and I have heard that they contain forbidden substances because they are narcotic, knowing that if I stop taking them, I will become ill. Please advise us, may Allah reward you, with what is good and righteous?”
The Shaykh : This medication that she referred to, if it is beneficial for her in alleviating or removing her epilepsy, then there is nothing wrong with it. And these narcotic substances, if they cause the body to relax, that is for its benefit, not its harm. So if the doctors say that this is more beneficial for her and that it will not harm her body in the future, then there is nothing wrong with it and no blame on her.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And this small amount of narcotic substances present in it does not reach the degree of intoxication, according to her statement; rather, it only causes relaxation and extension of the body, and this does not necessitate prohibition.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Especially since there is a benefit in it that outweighs this harm. However, if there is a fear in the future that it will be a cause for the body to collapse, then at that time it is prohibited, and she is advised to be patient with what has befallen her. And Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, rewards the patient.
The questioner : Yes, if Allah wills.
The Shaykh : This medication that she referred to, if it is beneficial for her in alleviating or removing her epilepsy, then there is nothing wrong with it. And these narcotic substances, if they cause the body to relax, that is for its benefit, not its harm. So if the doctors say that this is more beneficial for her and that it will not harm her body in the future, then there is nothing wrong with it and no blame on her.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And this small amount of narcotic substances present in it does not reach the degree of intoxication, according to her statement; rather, it only causes relaxation and extension of the body, and this does not necessitate prohibition.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Especially since there is a benefit in it that outweighs this harm. However, if there is a fear in the future that it will be a cause for the body to collapse, then at that time it is prohibited, and she is advised to be patient with what has befallen her. And Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, rewards the patient.
The questioner : Yes, if Allah wills.