Alcohol is not a Cure

Question :

What is the ruling on a person who was about to die and it was not possible to cure him with anything except alcohol?

Answer:

Seeking treatment is something which is lawful, but it must be by something which Allah, the Almighty, the All- Powerful and His Messenger have legislated. Because it is only in this that it is possible to find a cure. As for that which Allah has forbidden, there is no cure therein. Among the proofs for the prohibition of seeking treatment with prohibited medicines in general, and alcohol in particular, is the narration of Al-Bukhari in his Sahih in disconnected form, on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him,
"Verily, Allah has not made a cure for you in that which He has forbidden to you."

It was attributed to the Prophet by At-Tabarani with a chain of narrators who are all reliable. It was also narrated by Ahmad, Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, Al-Bazzar, Abu Ya'la, and At-Tabarani; and the men in Abu Ya'la's chain of narrators are all reliable, reporting on the authority of Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her.

Abu Dawud narrated it in his Sunan from the Hadith of Abu Ad-Darda', may Allah be pleased with him, in which he said that Allah's Messenger said:
"Verily, Allah sent down the disease and the cure and He created a cure for every disease, so seek treatment, but do not seek treatment with that which is forbidden."

It is also reported in Sahih Muslim, that Tariq bin Suwaid Al- Ja'fi, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Prophet ﷺ about Al-Khamr and he forbade him. The Prophet also expressed dislike that he should make it, so he (i.e. Tariq) said: "I only make it as a medicine." The Prophet replied:
" It is not a medicine, but it is a sickness."

It is worth pointing out that when Allah commands something, it is either for some manifest benefit, or because the benefit of it outweighs the harm. When He forbids something, it is either due to some manifest harm, or because the harm outweighs the benefit.

And Allah, the All-Powerful, Most High is Most Wise and All- knowing. And the belief that this disease cannot be cured except by drinking alcohol is pure fancy, because medicines are plentiful, both religious and natural. Also, the medicine does not cure the disease, it is only from Allah, the All-Powerful, Most High that wellness is obtained when one takes medicine. So undertaking the lawful means (to achieve something) might be accompanied by one depending on it, and it might be associated with making it the means while depending upon Allah, the All-Powerful, Most High, along with the belief that the means might benefit or it might not. This is what is required by the Islamic Law. As for absolutely relying upon the means, this is Shirk.

And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.