May Muslims use mouthwash that contains alcohol?

Alcohol is forbidden as a drink because of its harmful effects, not every healing use of it. Where it is truly necessary it may be used; where it is not, it should be avoided.

Many mouthwashes recommended by dentists use alcohol as their base. Muslim patients and doctors therefore ask whether they may use them.

It helps first to look at the reason for the prohibition. The first verse above says that wine contains great harm and that this harm is greater than its benefit. Alcohol is therefore forbidden because of its harmful effects as a drink. Its healing effect as a medicine is not forbidden by this.

Some consider alcohol forbidden in every case. Yet they themselves know that in mortal danger one may even eat pork. The second verse above expressly allows this in genuine need. Alcohol is not more strictly forbidden than pork. So what applies to the one applies all the more to the other: if it saves a life, it is permitted.

A mouthwash, however, is rarely a matter of life and death. So a simple rule applies here. Where a product containing alcohol is truly medically necessary, it may be used. Where it is not necessary, it should be avoided.

In everyday life this means that, when in doubt, one chooses an alcohol free product if it serves the same purpose. In this way one stays true to the purpose of the prohibition without denying oneself necessary treatment.