All praise is due to Allāh:

This is an old controversial issue.

Firstly, nutmeg, as defined in international encyclopedias and the website of the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta, is a nearly spherical fruit. Its trees are tall and conical, and it acts as a mild stimulant that helps expel gases from the stomach. In large quantities, it can have a narcotic effect and lead to poisoning if taken in excessive amounts. It has a pleasant aroma and a somewhat bitter taste, with dry aromatic husks. A yellowish oil is extracted from it, which contains about 4% of a narcotic substance known as myristicin, along with glycerides of several fatty acids, including myristic acid, fatty acid, and palm acid. Nutmeg oil is used in the production of fragrances and is added to sweets and certain food items. It is also used in soap, and nutmeg has many uses in the treatment of certain diseases. Additionally, it is used to flavor food and beverages.

Secondly, scholars have differed regarding its ruling:

1. The Prohibitors: They say that it is intoxicating or narcotic, and in both cases, it causes mental confusion, making it prohibited. Ibn Ḥajar stated: “There has been a dispute between the scholars of the Two Holy Mosques (Mecca and Medina) and Egypt regarding its permissibility or prohibition. The question arises: Did any of the Imāms or their followers of Islamic schools of law declare the consumption of nutmeg as prohibited? The answer, as stated by the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Daqīq al-ʽIīd, is that it is intoxicating. Ibn al-ʽImād went to the extent of considering it like marijuana. The Mālikiy, Shāfiʽiy, and Ḥanbaliy schools agreed that it is intoxicating and falls under the general ruling: “Every intoxicating item is alcoholic, and every alcoholic item is prohibited.” The Ḥanafiy school considers it either intoxicating or narcotic, and in either case, it corrupts the mind, making it prohibited in all cases.”

2. Those who permit it with conditions: Excessive use of it is prohibited, but a small amount is permissible because the evidence for its prohibition is not explicit, and intoxication only occurs with a large quantity of it.

Ar-Ramliy, a Shāfiʽiy scholar, said: “Yes, a small amount is permissible, and it is prohibited in large quantities,” referring to its use.

Al-Burzuliy, a Mālikiy scholar, said: “Some of our Imāms have permitted the consumption of a small amount of nutmeg for brain stimulation, and some have stipulated that it should be mixed with medicines. The correct view is the general permissibility.”

My detailed opinion is as follows:

– If nutmeg is processed and included in a finished product that has obtained approval from regulatory authorities in countries that prohibit drugs, which are most countries in the world, there is no objection to its use.

– If nutmeg is used in its natural state and not processed, a reasonable amount of it is permissible for cooking, flavoring, medicinal purposes, and others. This should be determined based on what is customary, and the matter should be considered a personal religious issue between the servant (individual) and his Lord. This is similar to many narcotic drugs and strong analgesics.

However, it is not permissible to use an amount that leads to dullness or numbness because it involves corrupting the mind and weakening the body.

Therefore, the default ruling is permissibility, unless it is misused according to the aforementioned description, in which case it may be prohibited or disliked based on the extent of deviation from the guidelines.

After all, Allāh knows best.

Fatwa issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr