Using fabric softener that has beef products in ingredients

17-10-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

I saw a fatwa here, but I need more clarification because it does not really go into detail about beef in non-edible products. If beef is used in fabric softener, but not pork, can we use it on our clothes even though we do not know if it was Zabiha beef, or is the ruling of Istihaalah applicable? If we cannot, and we have already used it, then are our clothes and body impure; and if we shower to clean ourselves, is the water that flows down into the tub impure if the color and smell do not change?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Our advice to you is to avoid Waswasah (obsessive whisperings).

Regarding your question, if the beef used in that fabric softener was transformed by Istihaalah (transformation), then it is pure according to the predominant opinion, and it does not make the body and clothes which it comes in contact with impure. Please refer to fatwa 313504.

For more benefit, please refer to fatwa 209290.

Allaah knows best.