Can alcohol be used to clean objects and appliances?

Our Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al-Hadhramy- may Allah preserve him- was asked the following question on 11th Sha’baan 1441( 4th April 2020):

A Questioner from India is asking:

Is it permissible for us to clean taps and door handles – instead of our hands – with alcohol-based disinfectant as the medical experts are advising with this in order to combat the corona-virus?

Answer:

We advise that alcohol and everything that contains alcohol be left. For indeed our scholars forbid alcohol and some of them identify it to be from wine and Allah has certainly stated:

“إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَٰمُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ”
“Indeed, wine, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah ], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:90)

Therefore avoid alcohol as well as other intoxicants; do not drink it and do not use it as part of your cleaning products.

[ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي الْخَمْرِ عَشَرَةً]
[The Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed ten regarding wine] [1]

From them: the carrier, seller and the buyer of wine, until the end of it (i.e. the remaining seven). So we advise with keeping away from alcohol and its usage.

At the very least:

[دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ  إِلَى مَا لَا يَرِيبُكَ]
Leave what causes you doubt for what does not cause you doubt. [2]

Even if some of the people of knowledge contest the matter of cleaning with alcohol and using it for cleanliness; we still advise with leaving it based upon the previous evidence:

《إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِر…》
Indeed, wine, gambling…

Until he stated:

《فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ 》
So avoid it.

So avoid alcohol and whatever falls under its ruling (i.e. other intoxicants).This is the safest (option) for you bearing in mind the hadith that has been alluded to:

[دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ  إِلَى مَا لَا يَرِيبُكَ]
Leave what causes you doubt for what does not cause you doubt.

And the answer to the question regarding alcohol has certainly preceded in previous questions [3]
_____________________________________

[1] Narrated by Anas Ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) in At-Tirmithi (1295). Shayk Al-Albaanee (may Allah have mercy upon him) graded it ‘hasan saheeh’ in Jaame’ At-Tirmithi (١٢٩٤)

[2] Narrated by Hasan Ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) in At-Tirmithi (2518). Shayk Al-Albaanee (may Allah have mercy upon him) graded it ‘saheeh’ in At-Targeeb wa At-Tarheeb (2930)

[3] Washing the hands with alcohol-based sanitisers in order to kill microbes. What is the ruling of using them, especially as they are highly recommended by medical experts? https://t.me/abubilaalalhadhramy/357
______________________________________

Translated by : Abu Sufyaan Saami ibn Daniel Al-Ghaani

Arabic Transcript https://t.me/abubilalhami/4394

? Audio https://t.me/abubilalhami/4393