Question Summary:
Is the external usage of glycerin permissible?

Question Detail:

Just like shampoos and soaps nowadays, alot of makeup contain glycerin/glycerol/glycerine which may either be from a plant or animal source (almost impossible to know which) Is it permissible to use items containing glycerin Externally?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Glycerin derived from plants or synthetically produced is Halal. Glycerin derived from animal fat is generally from haraam animals, hence haraam even for external use.^[1]

If there is a medical need to use glycerin and there is no adequate alternative, then one will be excused to use haraam glycerin only to the extent of the need.^[2]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Aboobakr Siddeeq bin Mufti Amjad Mohammad

Student Darul Iftaa

Azaadville, JHB, South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

________

^[1] http://www.sanha.co.za/a/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2437

Glycerine is not an alcohol nor is it derived from alcohol. It is a syrupy liquid which is a by-product of animal fat such as tallow. Widely derived from plant source, e.g. Palm Kernel and also synthetically manufactured which is free of animal derivatives. Plant and Synthetic glycerine is permissible. Glycerine obtained from animal fat is generally not acceptable since the fat is in all likelihood, derived from a suspected non-Halaal animal source.

^[2]  الأشباه والنظائر على مذهب أبي حنيفة النعمان - (1 / 85)

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