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Ruling on narcotic and intoxicating medicine

05-07-2008

Question 21718

In the hospital we use medicine for post-operative pain and other kinds of pain that contain narcotic substances and other medicines that contain varying amounts of alcohol. Is there anything wrong with using them?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

There is nothing wrong with medicines which give a patient relief and reduce his pain before and after surgery, unless it is known that they contain a substance which causes intoxication in large amounts, in which case they should not be used, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whatever causes intoxication in large amounts, a little of it is haraam.” But if it does not cause intoxication, or large amounts of it would not cause intoxication, but it brings some relief and eases the pain, then there is nothing wrong with it. 

Medicine and medical treatments
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