Conditions for permitting an impermissible medicine
For a medicine that is otherwise impermissible to become permissible, the following five conditions below must be met.
1.
The illness or condition must be more than minor
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1. The illness or condition must be more than minor
This does not mean the illness must be life-threatening. However, it should be significant enough to impact one’s well-being or have the potential to do so if left untreated. Minor ailments, such as a mild cough, constipation, indigestion, earwax build-up, or a mild headache, do not typically justify the use of impermissible medicine.
2.
The medicine must be proven to be effective
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2. The medicine must be proven to be effective
There should be evidence-based effectiveness or well-established expert consensus on its benefits.
Consult an impartial prescriber (preferably a practising Muslim) to ensure the medicine aligns with current clinical guidelines and has reasonable evidence supporting its effectiveness in treating the illness or alleviating symptoms.
3.
The benefits must outweigh the harms
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3. The benefits must outweigh the harms
The medicine’s medical benefits should outweigh any potential risks or adverse effects. If the potential harm is greater than the expected benefit, its use remains impermissible.
4.
No readily available halāl alternative of equal or greater effectiveness
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4. No readily available halāl alternative of equal or greater effectiveness
If a permissible (halāl) alternative exists that is equally or more effective, it must be chosen instead. If no such alternative is available and the medicine is the best option for treatment, its use becomes permissible.
5.
Permissibility remains only as long as the illness persists
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5.
Permissibility remains only as long as the illness persists
The use of the impermissible medicine is allowed only for as long as the illness remains. Once the prescribed course of treatment is completed, its permissibility ceases unless a medical expert advises continued use due to ongoing risk or persistent symptoms.
If all five conditions are met → it is permissible to take the medicine even if it contains a harām ingredient or excipient.
If all five conditions are not met → it may not be permissible to take the medicine. It is advisable to seek halāl alternatives. To understand this further, please scroll down to STEP 2 and continue reading until the end of our guide on: ‘What to do if a medicine contains harām ingredients or excipients’.
Please take/use your medicine(s) as directed/prescribed by your healthcare professional.
If you are seeking information about halāl status or alternatives, do not stop, delay, change or change the way you take/use your medicine(s) without discussing this first with the healthcare professional who prescribed/supplied it to you.
Always consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions and before making any decisions about your treatment.
