Using alcohol for disinfecting and cleaning

24-10-2007 | IslamWeb

Question:

Asalamu aleikum I work in a cleanroom. We must disinfect several times a day our tabels and utensils with alcohol. Is this haram ? Should I quit that job ? If I did I would depend of the income of my husband, who works in a food shop where they also sell alcohol and porc. At the moment I pay with my salary the rent of the flat and the food. He pays with the haram income the tax. I told him often that working there is a big sin. He belives it. But he is afraid of beeing again 2 years jobless. I hope you can give me an advise .Barakallahu fik. Wa aleikum salam

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

It is permissible to use alcohol for disinfecting and cleaning or mixing it with another product for this purpose in case of necessity.

Ibn Taymiyyah was asked about seeking treatment with pork fat and he said: “It is not permissible to seek treatment by eating pork fat. However, treating in it by applying it and then washing it afterwards, then this is based on the permissibility of touching impurity when one is not performing the prayer. Indeed this is a controversial issue and the most correct opinion is that it is permissible in case of necessity.”

Since this is the case regarding touching impurity about which there is no difference of opinion, then it is permitted to use alcohol in cleaning and disinfecting in case of necessity since the impurity of alcohol is controversial.

Ibn 'Uthaymeen is also of the view that alcohol is permitted in case of necessity.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 90691.  

Allaah Knows best.