Is it permissible to use cream that includes lard? In winter, cracks occur in the skin of my hands and face. When water touches them, they are sometimes slit and bleed.

In winter, cracks occur in the skin of my hands and face. When water touches them, they are sometimes slit and bleed. I used to put on some cream to prevent it but I later read that they contained additives from pigs. Can my state be regarded as an obligation? That is, if it bleeds after I make wudu, can I still be regarded to have wudu? Can it be considered like an illness? If not, can I use that cream?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Somebody asked the Prophet (pbuh) about alcoholic drinks.  When the Prophet (pbuh) prohibited him from drinking, he said,

- I use it for treatment. Thereupon, the Prophet (pbuh) said,

- It is not treatment; it is problem.

As it is seen, the hadith prohibits using alcoholic substances in treatment. However, as we mentioned before, this decree is about normal cases. If a drug made of legitimate substances cannot be found, if a religious specialist (doctor) prescribes that drug and if it is vitally important to use that drug, the state of obligation occurs; and treatment with such drugs becomes permissible.

Questions on Islam