Using medicine mixed with ritually ...

Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta

Using medicine mixed with ritually impure substances

Question

The question concerns treating women with some medications, such as Clomid and others, containing a hormone that directly stimulates the ovaries. This hormone is extracted from the urine of women over 40.

Answer


According to the opinion of Hanafi and Shaf'i scholars, it is permissible to take medicine made from ritually impure substances under the supervision of experts whenever pure ones are unavailable.

Scholarly opinions

Citing some Hanafi scholars, Ibn Abidin stated in Al-Hashiya (4/215): "It is permissible for an ill person to drink urine, blood or consume the meat of an unslaughtered dead animal for medication if a Muslim medical expert informs him that [the impure substance] is a cure and if a permissible substitute is unavailable. There are two opinions if the physician informs the patient that such a cure will hasten recovery."
Al-Khatib Ash-Shirbni wrote in Mughni Al-Muhatj (4/234): "It is permissible to take anti venom and the like mixed with alcohol which has become completely indistinguishable (such that no color, taste, or odor remains) if a cure made from pure substances is unavailable. Examples include medication with ritually impure substances such as snake meat and urine which are permissible even if for the purpose of hastening recovery. [This permissibility] rests upon the prescription of an upright Muslim physician or the patient's own knowledge of the [healing properties] of the impure substance."

Al-Haitami said in Al-Tuhfa (9/170): "It is permissible to use alcohol (which has become completely indistinguishable) with medicine for medication similar to the permissibility of using ritually impure substances in their original form if the patient himself knows or is informed by an upright Muslim physician of the [healing] benefits of that particular substance and if a pure substitute is unavailable."

The ruling

It is permissible to take Clomid and similar drugs under the supervision of an upright medical expert who will weigh between their effect on stimulating the ovaries and the resulting harm of not taking them. He is responsible before Allah Almighty of his decision because of the Qur`anic verse which states, Ask those who have knowledge if you do not know [An-Nahl: 43]
Allah the Almighty knows best.

 
Share this:

Related Fatwas