Fatwa: # 19675
Category: Misc. Fiqh
Country: Canada
Date: 2nd January 2012

Title

Can I use a medicine which contains gelatine?

Question

I have skin problem specially in my face for many years , and finally the doctor give the final therapy called ACCUTANE . Only for that patient which has severe skin problem ; but i found out there is GELATINE AS AN INGREDIENT. Is it permissible for me to use this?

Answer

Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative, belonging to a class of medications called retinoids.  Retinoids are usually used to treat skin problems. Accutane is used to treat severe types of acne where other medications with less potential side effects have failed to help. It helps to reduce sebum production and, in many cases, can produce remission of the acne condition.[1]

 

Accutane contains a gelatine pill coating that contains glycerine.[2]  Gelatine has been considered harām according to the majority of scholars unless it is from a vegetarian (or halal-slaughtered) source. 

 

The Fuqaha (jurists) state that it will only be permissible to use medication with harām ingredients when a sound doctor gives advice that this is the only medication which will be effective and there is no other alternative available.[3]

 

In your case, if you are advised by a doctor to use Accutane, it will be permissible to use it.

 

We make du῾ā’ Allah Ta’āla grants you a speedy recovery.  Amīn.

 

 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mawlana Faraz Ibn Adam,
Student Darul Iftaa

UK

 

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net

 


[3]  ففي المحيط البرهاني

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 (ج 7 ص 82 إدارة القرآن)

 

وكذا في إمداد الأحكام ج 4 ص 319 مكتبة دار العلوم كراتشي

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER - AskImam.org questions
AskImam.org answers issues pertaining to Shar'ah. Thereafter, these questions and answers are placed for public view on www.askimam.org for educational purposes. However, many of these answers are unique to a particular scenario and cannot be taken as a basis to establish a ruling in another situation or another environment. Askimam.org bears no responsibility with regards to these questions being used out of their intended context.
  • The Shar's ruling herein given is based specifically on the question posed and should be read in conjunction with the question.
  • AskImam.org bears no responsibility to any party who may or may not act on this answer and is being hereby exempted from loss or damage howsoever caused.
  • This answer may not be used as evidence in any Court of Law without prior written consent of AskImam.org.
  • Any or all links provided in our emails, answers and articles are restricted to the specific material being cited. Such referencing should not be taken as an endorsement of other contents of that website.
The Messenger of Allah said, "When Allah wishes good for someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of Deen."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]