Q:

Some people use a type of incense called “al-Bakhur ul-Jawi” and they say that it kills germs and disinfects the house particularly when diseases are spreading, so is this permissible?

A:

One should ask the medical doctors about this – does this incense have the property of killing germs, as you said – cleaning the house – (if so then) there is no problem with this as it is from utilizing the means. We have been commanded to utilize the means which contain benefit. However, if this is just a claim which is not based on evidence and is not established, then this is not permissible.  

[54:54 onwards]
 

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Comment:
 
Note that some very odd claims (that germs allegedly don’t exist or that they don’t cause disease etc.) are being spread on messaging apps and social media. No appropriately trained medical doctors whether Muslim or non-Muslim hold this position.

Looking at Sh Fawzan’s statement there are a number of points which can be made:

• The Shaikh directs the questioner to ask the medical doctors about this matter (as they are appropriately qualified to discuss such issues).
• He does not deny the existence of germs nor try to claim that they are irrelevant when it comes to the spread of disease.
• He says that we should utilize means which bring about benefit (e.g. cleaning and sterilizing areas to prevent infection – if these means of cleaning are effective).
• If someone claims that a certain means has benefit then the claim on its own is not enough, rather it should be established, based upon evidence.
• If something has not been proven to work then one should not utilize this means.

Please note the approach of the Shaikh, indeed of the Shuyookh in general in the Muslim lands, and please beware of unqualified people making wild claims about medical matters without referring to Muslim doctors or to the scholars. Spreading medical misinformation is speaking without knowledge and causes harm and may even lead to people dying wal`iyaadhubillaah. May Allaah protect the lives and health of our Muslim brothers and sisters.

 
Dr Adnaan Ali
MBBChir (medical doctor)