Please view the lengthy fatwa on the permissibility of ethanol alcohol.

Answer

T h e f a t w a o f j a w a a z (permissibility) of alcohol is a lot of rigmarole which is in conflict with all four Math-habs. The fatwa of the Hanafi Math-hab since the very beginning is on the view of Imaam Muhammad (rahmatullah alayh), and this is also the view and fatwa of the other three Math-habs.

In terms of this consensus, all kinds of alcohol are haraam and najis. However, due to Umoom Balwah, we say that products containing non-khamr alcohol will not render the garments and body impure. But, for consumption it remains haraam. If no halaal medicine is available, then a haraam medicine may be used. This is the fatwa position, not the Taqwa demand.

The many pages which have been written on this simple, straightforward issue are superfluous. The ruling of all Four Math-habs are applicable to day just as it was valid and applicable thirteen centuries ago.