Using perfume containing 'Alcohol Denat'

Question

اسلام علیکم و رحمتہ اللّٰه وبرکاتہ حضور

Is it permissible to use a perfume which has Alcohol Denat in it?

— Muhammad Fayez Raza, Hyderabad, India

Answer

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

It is impermissible to apply perfumes with denatured alcohol. Such alcohol is categorized under khamr, which is ḥarām to consume and apply, whether it be for cosmetic or medical purposes. This is due to the fact that every khamr is a major impurity. It is stated in Bahār-e-Sharī`at, under the section listing major impurities:

ہر قسم کی شراب اور نشہ لانے والی تاڑی

“Every type of alcohol or date wine that causes intoxication.”

[Bahār-e-Sharī`at, Rules of Impurities]

Just how it is ḥarām to apply other major impurities, such as urine, blood, etc. on the body or clothes, it is ḥarām to apply any substance including alcohol. It is further stated in Bahār-e-Sharī`at:

شراب سے خارجی علاج بھی نا جائز ہے مثلا زخم میں شراب لگائی یا کسی جانور کو زخم ہے اس پر شراب لگائی یا بچہ کے علاج میں شراب کا استعمال ان سب میں وہ گنہگار ہو گا جس نے اس کو استعمال کرایا

“Topical application of alcohol is also impermissible, for example, applying alcohol to a wound. If an animal is wounded and alcohol is applied to it or it is applied as medicine for a child, the person who applied it will be accountable for the sin.”

[Bahār-e-Sharī`at, `Iyādat wa `Ilāj ka Bayān]

Muslims, instead of applying any perfume that have impurities included in them, should utilize fragrances that are pure and free of any impurities, and Allāh knows best.

Faqīr Salmān al-Nūrī · (May he be forgiven) · Ramaḍān 10, 1445 AH

Verified by Muftī Zāhid Ḥussain al-Qādirī