Using a mouthwash containing alcohol
Question
I have a gum disease and I have been using an alcohol-free mouthwash . Apparently, it isn’t working and the dentist has asked me to use a specific mouthwash which contains alcohol. What do I do? The gum disease is quite bad to the extent that, my teeth bleed when I brush.
Answer
Under normal circumstances, it is not permissible to utilise a mouthwash containing alcohol. However, if a righteous and pious Muslim dentist prescribed the mouthwash (which contains alcohol) as there is a strong possibility of being cured by using the product, and there is no Halaal alternative available on the market, then the mouthwash containing alcohol may be utilised.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
فإن الاستشفاء بالمحرم إنما لا يجوز إذا لم يعلم أن فيه شفاءً؛ أما إذا علم أن فيه شفاء، وليس له دواء آخر غيره فيجوز الاستشفاء به (المحيط البرهاني ص116 ج6)
- Answered by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai
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