[Q 508] Use of Alcohol-Based Deodorants

QUESTION:

Salaam is it permissible to use deodorants / aftershave that contains alcohol denat?

ANSWER:

In the present time, many scholars (‘Ulama’) and jurists (Fuqahā’) have declared the use of externally applied products containing alcohol to be permissible due to ‘umoom-e-balwa’ (widespread public involvement) and haraj (hardship). Therefore, alcohol-based deodorants and perfumes, being for external use, are also permissible to apply. However, since some scholars prohibit even the external use of alcohol-containing substances, it is better to avoid them as a matter of caution.

Answered by: Qazi Muteeb Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Translated answer
Date: 25th October 2025