Question
I think Ayurveda has its roots in the Hindu religion, however, I do not believe any of its non-scientific or superstitious beliefs, like fixing chakras. I simply want to use the products for the beneficial ingredients in them. My hair has been thinning and falling and there are a lot of good ingredients, like bhringraj roots which help control it. Additionally, I try to avoid chemical-laden products and prefer to use natural ones as much as possible. Is this haram due to roots in Hinduism?
Answer
Assalamu alaykum,
Thank you for your question. Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and has been used for thousands of years. Treatment options are varied and can include yoga, acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy, and dietary changes.
There is nothing wrong with using Ayurvedic medicine, the ingredients are useful and natural and do bring benefit. The beliefs that people attach to these medicines can be ignored. The only thing that might render any of these medicines impermissible to use would be the presence of filth in them, such as cow urine.
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.