Is Viagra Halal or Haram?

(Editor's note: For those of you who may not know, Sildenafil Citrate, marketed under the name Viagra, is a prescription drug developed by Pfizer which treats erectile dysfunction, or male impotence).

Shaikh Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on hime) was asked in Riyadh on June 26, 1998, whether the drug Viagra is permissible to use.

The Shaikh said, "Using a drug that helps sexual intrecourse is permitted and there is no legal Islamic prohibition provided it does not contain ingredients that may harm health, or any intoxicating substances." (quoted from Okaz newspaper).

Note: If you're a man who uses nitrate drugs, like nitroglycerine, (drugs commonly used for the treatment of chest pains) never take Viagra with any nitrate medicine, as your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe or life threatening level. Viagra must never be used by men taking nitrates of any kind, any time.

(Zawaj.com is not recommending or endorsing this drug, we are simply reporting on the issue of whether or not it is halal).

A biography of Shaikh bin Baz: HIS NAME: Abdul Azeez Ibn Abdullaah Ibn Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Muhammad Ibn Abdullaah Aal Baaz. HIS BIRTH: He was born in the year 1330AH in the city of Riyaadh, Saudi Arabia. He had normal sight at the beginning of his studies and was then afflicted with an illness in 1346AH which impaired his eyesight. He later became blind in 1350H when he was only 20 years old. SEEKING KNOWLEDGE: He started upon the path of knowledge at a young age and memorised the Qur'aan before puberty. The Shaykh excelled in his knowledge of the various branches of the Sharee'ah and the Arabic language and was then appointed as a Judge. This however did not stop him from seeking knowledge until the time of his death. The various offices he had held never stopped him from teaching and engaging in research. HIS TEACHERS: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Lateef ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Hasan ibn Ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab (rahimahumullaah). Shaykh Sa'd Ibn Hamad ibn Ateeq (the Cheif Judge of Riyaadh). Hamad Ibn Faaris (Vice Chancellor of the Treasury at Riyaadh). Shaykh Saalih ibn Abdul-Azeez ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab (The Chief Judge of Riyaadh). Shaykh Sa'd Waqqaas al-Bukhaaree, One of the scholars of Makkah from whom Shaykh Ibn Baaz learnt the science of tajweed. Shaykh Muhammed ibn Ibraaheem ibn Abdul-Lateef Aalush-Shaykh. The Former Mufti of Saudi Arabia and the Ummah. Shaykh Ibn Baaz attended and adhered to his study circles for approximately 10 years. Shaykh Ibn Baaz learnt all the branches of the sharee'ah from him from 1347H to 1357 whereupon his teacher then nominated him for a post in the judiciary. HIS VARIOUS POSTS AND POSITIONS: Judge in Al-Kharaj district for a lengthy time, spanning approximately 14 years from 1357H till 1371H. Teaching post in Riyaadh at al-Mahad al-Ilmee in 1372H then at the college of Sharee'ah from its inception in 1373H. He taught the sciences of fiqh, tawheed and fiqh. This continued for 9 years till 1390H. He was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University Of Madeenah in the year 1381H and he remained in this post until 1390H. He then became the Chancellor of the University of Madeenah in 1390H upon the death of the then Chancellor Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ibraaheem Aalush-Shaykh. He remained Chancellor until 1395H. In 1413H, he was appointed the official Muftee (expounder of Islamic law and fatwa) and was appointed to the presidency of the Commitee of Senior Scholars and the presidency of the Administration for Scientific Research and Legal Rulings. He continued to hold other posts until his death. HIS INFLUENCE AND STUDENTS: The Shaykh has influenced and affected many people and in many different ways. The Shaykh produced many other scholars from his great knowledge. Amogst them, Shaykh Muhammad Saaleh ibn Al-Uthaymeen, Shaykh Saaleh Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan, Shaykh Rabee ibn Haadee, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee, Shaykh Abdus-Salaam ibn Burjiss and many hundreds of others.... he died in Taa'if 1420 A.H. May Allaah have mercy upon him.

 

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