Using products sourced from the Dead Sea

Nasihah (Advice): Be Wary of the Azaab of Allah Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and his Companions were once passing by the place of Ashab al-Hijr, who were Thamud, the people of the Nabi Salih (Alayhis Salaam). Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam told the Companions, “Do not enter upon these recipients of punishment – unless you are crying – lest you be afflicted with what afflicted them.” [Sahih Muslim] ______________________________ Question and Answer: Recently I went for Umrah and the hotel I was staying in supplied us with toiletries which contained ingredients from the Dead Sea. Is it permissible to use these products? A person must avoid using products sourced from the Dead Sea as this was the place where Allah’s punishment had descended on the people of Nabi Lut (Alaihis Salaam). Usage of such products will only be permissible in the case of medical necessity. From the Hadith, it is understood that to benefit from the products of the places where Allah’s punishment had descended is not permitted. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and his companions (Radiyallahu Anhum) were passing through the land of Thamud, some of the Sahabah had drawn water from the well nearby and used the water to prepare dough for bread. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) ordered them to throw the water and dough away due to the well being situated at a place where the Azaab and punishment of Allah had descended and directed them to another well. (Sahih al-Bukhari) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui Mufti Taahir Hansa (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians 223 Alpine Road, Overport Durban, South Africa Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099 Email: fatwa@jamiat.org.za Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163 Website : www.jamiat.org.za