Using donkey milk for medicinal purposes
Fatwa No: 226225

Question

Dear Scholar, Assalamualaikum, I am concerned with frequent cough and congestion to my youngest daughter who didn't even complete 1 year. I have heard, donkey's milk is good cure as it has many medicinal properties that will cure congestion. My question is, is it Halal to serve DONKEY'S MILK? Jazakallah

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Muslim jurists have differed in opinion about the ruling on using donkey milk as medicine. Some of them have held it to be lawful and some say it is unlawful. Therefore, as long as it is possible to be treated with other than the donkey milk, then one should not resort to treatment with it.

If there is no other alternative form of treatment, then it is permissible to use it to avoid the harm and the hardship of not using it, and due to its several benefits.

Ibn Muflih said in his book, Al-Aadaab: “Doctors of medicine have mentioned that the donkeys’ milk is low in fat and thin. Rinsing the mouth with it strengthens the teeth and gums, contrary to other milk. It is good for cough, tuberculosis and hemoptysis if it is drunk straight from the udder. It is beneficial for fatal diseases, dysentery and intestinal ulcers; but it is not suitable for people who have headaches, tinnitus (ringing of the ear) or helminthiasis (parasitic worms).” [End of quote]

Allaah Knows best.

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