What is the ruling on using alcohol in foods and drinks?

Question :

What is the ruling on using alcohol in foods and drinks?

Answer :

If the substance mixed with alcohol causes drunkenness if taken in large quantities, it will be impermissible to use, whether a lot or a little, and whether as a food, drink or medicine, according to Allah’s saying, O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansâb, and Al-Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?

( Part No : 22,Page No:150)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, If a large amount of anything causes intoxication, a small amount of it will be prohibited. He (peace be upon him) also said, O Allah’s servants! Treat yourselves medically, but use nothing unlawful, for there is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its cure. Narrated by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy. Allah (may He be Glorified) made it clear to us that Khamr (intoxicants) is foul, and He asked us to avoid it, so it should be spilled, as keeping it might lead to using it. When the prohibition of Khamr was revealed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered that it should be spilled, so it was spilled in the streets of Madinah.

However, if the substance mixed with alcohol is not intoxicating if used in large quantities, there is no harm in using it, as alcohol itself is not Khamr.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member – Bakr ibn `Abdullah Abu Zayd

Member – Salih Ibn Fawzan Al-Fawzan

Deputy Chairman – `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah Al Al-Shaykh

The Chairman – `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

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