What is the ruling on visiting the Dead Sea for recreation and for the therapeutic benefits of the minerals and salts in its water, given that we have heard it is a place of punishment?
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The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings and His forgiveness.
The questioner : How is our Shaykh doing?
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, I am well.
The questioner : Is there any religious consequence to visiting the Dead Sea?
The Shaykh : And what is this visit that we have not heard of? What is this visit? What is its purpose?
The questioner : Is it considered forbidden, meaning it is a land of punishment?!
The Shaykh : If it is established, and as mentioned by Muslim historians, that punishment befell that place, then it is not permissible to go there with the specific intention of visiting it. One may only pass through it on a road without intending that place for its own sake, but rather passing through to another destination. If one passes through, he should hasten his journey. As for going there to recreate in that place, or as we hear from some people that they seek healing with some of that water for certain diseases, this is naturally not permissible in Islam.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : I mean, there is no clear evidence, and it is merely the consensus of the scholars?
The Shaykh : The historians, yes.
The questioner : Ah, by consensus, I mean?
The Shaykh : We are not aware of any disagreement.
The questioner : You are not aware of any disagreement?
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Well, my teacher, regarding the water, the Dead Sea contains uranium, potassium, salt, and other rare materials, approximately?
The Shaykh : The end does not justify the means.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : And may He reward you.
The questioner : Like the trial of the Euphrates, meaning there is gold in the end, but one should not rely on it!
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : So, this does not justify the matter?
The Shaykh : No.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : And you.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : And may Allah protect you, if Allah wills.
The questioner : May Allah preserve you.
The Shaykh: Peace be upon you.
The questioner : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings and His forgiveness.
The questioner : How is our Shaykh doing?
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, I am well.
The questioner : Is there any religious consequence to visiting the Dead Sea?
The Shaykh : And what is this visit that we have not heard of? What is this visit? What is its purpose?
The questioner : Is it considered forbidden, meaning it is a land of punishment?!
The Shaykh : If it is established, and as mentioned by Muslim historians, that punishment befell that place, then it is not permissible to go there with the specific intention of visiting it. One may only pass through it on a road without intending that place for its own sake, but rather passing through to another destination. If one passes through, he should hasten his journey. As for going there to recreate in that place, or as we hear from some people that they seek healing with some of that water for certain diseases, this is naturally not permissible in Islam.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : I mean, there is no clear evidence, and it is merely the consensus of the scholars?
The Shaykh : The historians, yes.
The questioner : Ah, by consensus, I mean?
The Shaykh : We are not aware of any disagreement.
The questioner : You are not aware of any disagreement?
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Well, my teacher, regarding the water, the Dead Sea contains uranium, potassium, salt, and other rare materials, approximately?
The Shaykh : The end does not justify the means.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : And may He reward you.
The questioner : Like the trial of the Euphrates, meaning there is gold in the end, but one should not rely on it!
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : So, this does not justify the matter?
The Shaykh : No.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : And you.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : And may Allah protect you, if Allah wills.
The questioner : May Allah preserve you.
The Shaykh: Peace be upon you.
The questioner : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.