Cunning Merchants Are Selling “Halal” Hand Sanitisers
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With the spread of Covid-19, some Malaysians have been on high-alert, stocking up on hand sanitizers and face masks in response to a pandemic that has already infected 428 here according to the Health Ministry.
Naturally, many have searched for ways to prevent the infection of the coronavirus, leading to an increase in demand for hand sanitizers.
The sales of the product hit almost RM1 million during the week ending January 26 – 800% higher compared to an average week, showing that Malaysians are concerned about the pandemic.
#COVIDー19 Statistik terkini WHO dikemaskini 8am, 16 Mac 2020.
— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) March 16, 2020
Kematian di Itali hampir mencecah 2,000 dan Sepanyol, kematian meningkat ketara menghampiri 300 orang.
Filipina, walaupun jumlah kes 140, kematian agak tinggi (11) dgn kadar kematian 7.9%. pic.twitter.com/2RP9Bygj2e
While hand sanitizers can kill some disease-causing agents, there have been some concerns regarding its active ingredient, alcohol, the consumption which is prohibited by Islam.
With this came online sellers who advertise “halal” hand sanitizers, feeding off people’s fears and ignorance to make a quick buck.
They’re marketing ethanol as a substitute for alcohol, even though it’s also commonly used to make regular hand sanitisers and is the main ingredient in alcoholic beverages.
What’s worse is that some of these “halal” hand sanitisers are sold at higher prices compared to the “regular” ones.
Normal hand sanitizer at 7-11: rm5.90
— The Joy of 6️⃣➕1⃣ (@SiriuslyCold) March 14, 2020
But we should take advantage of a bunch of gullible idiots who only know their religion through assumptions and conjectures … pic.twitter.com/QZnr3u7tPX
However, they’re being ridiculed by netizens who pointed out that these online merchants are using religion and also fears of Covid-19 as a way to make a quick profit.
Takyahlah dok tunggang agama dan jual Hand Sanitizer ‘halal’ waktu wabak Covid-19 ni.
— Asrul Muzaffar🇲🇾 (@asrulmm) March 14, 2020
Mufti Wilayah yang kini Menteri Hal Ehwal Agama dah kata penggunaan Hand Sanitizer alkohol ialah HARUS, tidak najis dan boleh guna untuk solat pic.twitter.com/Lwj7sDrPP5
In response to Muslims refusing to use hand sanitisers because of the alcohol content, the Federal Territories Mufti said it is permissible to use hand sanitisers as they are considered a necessity.
Besides ethanol, other compounds such as with isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol), or n-propanol (propyl alcohol) are also used to make hand sanitisers.
Alternatively, there are alcohol-free sanitisers on the market but studies have found that sanitisers with an alcohol concentration between 60–95% are more effective at killing germs.
Have you ever seen or used a halal hand sanitiser? Let us know on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
