Medicines extracted from blood

Fatwa no. 21521 Praise be to Allah alone. May peace and blessings be upon the Last Prophet. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has reviewed the letter submitted to His Eminence, the Grand Mufty (Islamic scholar qualified to issue legal opinions) by the Director of the Center of Da`wah and Guidance in Jeddah, No. (798/9/20) (Part No. 25; Page No. 38) dated, 12/10/1420 A.H. including a question submitted by His Eminence, the Chairman of the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) in Jeddah and referred to the Committee by the general Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars, No. 2515, dated, 24/4/1421 A. H. The questioner asked His Eminence a question which reads: A medical pamphlet found in the package of a drug sold in Jeddah pharmacies is attached. The drug is called Solkoseril. It is observed that the main substance of its composition is an extract of blood but is free of Protein. As you know, it is prohibited to use blood in such matters. Allah (Exalted be He) states: Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maitah (dead animals - cattle - beast not slaughtered), and blood, and the flesh of swine. Please, refer the question to the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' to know the legal opinion in this regard and then answer us.

After examining the issue and consulting specialists, the Committee confirmed the truth the questioner conveyed concerning the drug Solkoseril which is an extract of blood, but free of protein. Therefore, it is not permissible to use it as medical treatment, because of what is narrated by the Prophet (peace be upon him), Allah decrees disease and treatment, and provides cure for every disease. (Part No. 25; Page No. 39) Thus, seek treatment but avoid unlawful matters. Related by Abu Dawud and it is a reliable Hadith. Further support is also found in the narration of Abu Hurayrah recorded in Al-Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes), as he said, “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade malicious medicine (i.e., prohibited or filthy).” and its Sanad (chain of narrators) is authentic.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.