Using cosmetics from questionable sources

30-12-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it okay to use toiletry and cosmetic products that are made from questionable sources? Provided you are not eating it. For example, shampoo, toothpaste, soap, body and hair lotion, etc. Do you know of any company you refer me to get better products?

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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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

Ruling that these products are lawful or forbidden depends on the origin of their ingredients. If these ingredients are pure then they are permissible as long as their use does not cause any harm. However, if they are composed of impure substances like pork, alcohol and other similar impure constituents, they are prohibited. This is, of course, if these ingredients were not completely transformed from their original state to another pure state. It is a condition though that this transformation should have occurred before they are mixed (with other items) according to the opinion that the transformation cleanses the impurity like the view of Hanafi, Maaliki schools and opinion of Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah. This is our view here in Islamweb. However, according to the Shaafi'ee and Hanbali schools, transformation is not purifying, so it is not permissible. As mentioned by the questioner 'provided that you are not eating it', there are rulings about impurity other than eating such items, like being stained with this impurity; the prayer in such a condition is invalid.

Allaah knows best.