A Christian is asking why alcohol is emphatically prohibited in Islam?
Question: When we ask the reason why alcohol is forbidden in Islam we are told that it robs us of our senses. But drinking a small cup of it every few months is not going to have any harmful effect, rather some scientists say that a little of it is good for the heart. So why is there this prohibition on drinking even a drop of it? Man has the sense to control his actions and to stop drinking before he becomes intoxicated, so why does Islam require Muslims to keep away from alcohol and pork in order for the religious commitment to be sound? Why not stop at pointing out their harmful effects and give people the choice?.
Answer: Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly: we welcome you to our site as a seeker of truth, and we ask Allaah to make our answer clear and to show you, after you read it and think about it, the fairness, wisdom and perfection of Islamic sharee’ah, which will make you think for yourself and seek the truth and follow it.
Secondly: it is affirmed by our Islamic sharee’ah that it came to bring and increase good things, and to ward off and reduce harmful things. Whatever is beneficial or mostly beneficial is permissible (halaal) and whatever is harmful or mostly harmful is forbidden (haraam). Alcohol undoubtedly falls into the second category. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: In them is a great sin, and (some) benefits for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit”
[al-Baqarah 2:219]
The harmful and evil effects of alcohol are well known to all people, to knowledgeable and ignorant alike. Among the harmful effects of alcohol is that which was mentioned by Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al‑Ansaab (stone altars for sacrifices to idols, jinn, etc), and Al‑Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaytaan’s (Satan’s) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.
91. Shaytaan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from As‑Salaah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?”
[al-Maa’idah 5:90-91]
In these two verses Allaah emphatically forbids alcohol, when He mentions it in conjunction with Al‑Ansaab (stone altars for sacrifices to idols, jinn, etc), and Al‑Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision), which were symbols of shirk that were widespread in the Arabian peninsula before Islam, and He describes it as being the Shaytaan’s handiwork, which is immorality and evil. And Allaah commands us to avoid it and describes that as being the means that leads to success. And He describes its spiritual harm as hindering man from carrying out the obligations and duties enjoined by sharee’ah, namely remembrance of Allaah (dhikr) and prayer.
Alcohol leads to many harmful things, and deserves to be called “the mother of all evils” – as it was described by our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who said: “Alcohol is the mother of all evils.” A hasan hadeeth quoted by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1854. And the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Alcohol is the mother of all evils, the greatest of major sins. Whoever drinks it may end up committing incest with his mother, his maternal aunt and his paternal aunt.” This hadeeth is hasan on the basis of corroborating evidence, as stated by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1853.
This is some of the evidence of the truthfulness of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). And what he spoke of has indeed come to pass. Have you not heard the news about that young man who came home drunk and committed incest with his mother after imbibing intoxicants? He threatened to kill himself if she did not do it, so she took pity on him and did what he wanted. Then when he came to his senses and realized what had happened, he killed himself.
Look at how things ended after he drank alcohol. He committed incest with his mother, then he killed himself. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound.
The Encyclopaedia Britannica states that most cases of sexual assault against relatives such as sisters, mothers and daughters happen under the influence of alcohol.
With regard to those who say that drinking a little alcohol is good for the heart, the response to that is:
1 – Modern research has proven that what is said about the benefits of alcohol for the heart and that it dilates the arteries, is a serious mistake. Alcohol does not dilate the arteries that bring nutrition to the heart, as was thought in the past, rather it dilates the veins that lie beneath the skin, whilst at the same time constricting the arteries, because of the accumulation of fats and cholesterol in them. This contributes to blood clots in the heart and angina, especially when it is accompanied by smoking, which contributes to congestion and narrowing of the arteries.
Alcohol also affects the muscle of the heart itself, when it becomes poisoned and dysfunctional, especially after drinking beer that contains cobalt, as when the heart becomes inflamed as a result of exhaustion when burning alcohol.
2 – These supposed benefits to the heart may be attained by means of things other than alcohol, the sinfulness and harmful effects of which outweigh any good it may do or benefits it may bring.
3 – It has also been said that the benefits that alcohol is said to bring to the heart come from the fruits and other substances from which alcohol is made, such as grapes, apples, etc. Based on this, these benefits may be obtained from these foods in the forms in which Allaah has permitted them, without making alcohol from them.
4 – We should weigh up those benefits to the heart – if they are true – against the destructive effects that alcohol has on health, which you can find out about by consulting any medical reference work that speaks of addiction to alcohol and its destructive effects on man.
See for example: al-Idmaan al-Kuhooli by Dr Nabeel Subhi al-Taweel, published by Mu’sasat al-Risaalah, Beirut.
Abhaath wa A’maal al-Mu’tamar al-‘Aalami al-Thaalith wa’l-Raabi’ ‘an al-Tibb al-Islami, published in Kuwait, 1405 AH, 1407 AH.
Because some people in the past – like some of their counterparts nowadays – thought that wine had some benefits, Taariq ibn Suwayd al-Ja’fi – one of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) – came and asked him about alcohol, and he forbade it. He said: “We make it as a remedy”. He said: “It is not a remedy, rather it is a disease.” Narrated by Muslim. This is a sign that his Prophethood was true.
With regard to your saying that “Man has the sense to control his actions and to stop drinking before he becomes intoxicated”, this pays no attention to the ways of the accursed Shaytaan, who seeks to distance people from the Lord of the Worlds. It is also the words of one who does not know – or perhaps chooses to ignore – how a drinker’s relationship with alcohol begins until he becomes drunk or addicted.
The Shaytaan gradually leads a person from a little to a lot, from minor to major, from sin to kufr, as much as he can, step by step. This is what the Lord of the Worlds refers to in Soorat al-Noor, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan). And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan), then, verily, he commands Al‑Fahsha’ [i.e. to commit indecency (illegal sexual intercourse)], and Al‑Munkar [disbelief and polytheism (i.e. to do evil and wicked deeds; and to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islam)]. And had it not been for the Grace of Allaah and His Mercy on you, not one of you would ever have been pure from sins. But Allaah purifies (guides to Islam) whom He wills, and Allaah is All‑Hearer, All‑Knower”
[al-Noor 24:21]
The poet also referred to this when he said:
“A glance, then a smile, then a greeting, then words, then an appointment, then a meeting.”
Although this is clear to everyone who understands how people are and how the Shaytaan gets to them, it is more obvious in the case of alcohol and those who drink it.
According to the eastern proverb, “In the beginning a man takes a cup of wine… then the first cup takes a second, then the cup of wine takes the man.”
The story begins with advice from a doctor or friend to have a cup of wine to increase the appetite, or to help one relax, or it starts by joining friends in a social gathering where cups of alcohol are being passed around, or as part of a meal offered, or whatever.
Then gradually physical and psychological bonds are formed to alcohol until it becomes part of a person’s life, and the drunkard becomes a slave to intoxication and to alcohol, and he seeks it as a sick person seeks medicine, as the poet said:
A cup that is drunk for pleasure, and a cup that is drunk as a remedy for the first.
In the first cup he may have found some benefit, without getting drunk, and some relaxation and pleasure without losing his mind, and the second likewise, but now he is longing for the cup of yesterday. When the body gets used to this alcoholic poison, it needs to increase the dose of alcohol time after time, in order to enjoy the relaxation and pleasure that it found in the first cup. Then the drunkard starts to drink more regularly, and his desire for alcohol grows stronger. The only guarantee against addiction is not to drink alcohol at all.
Hence we can see the wisdom of Islam in forbidding a little or a lot of alcohol, because a little is the first step towards a lot, and a little added to a little becomes a lot.
As the poet said: Do not think of a little as insignificant, because even the mountains are formed of small pebbles.
With regard to your asking: why does Islam require the Muslims to keep away from alcohol and pork in order for their religious commitment to be sound? Why does it not just explain how harmful they are and let people choose for themselves?
This is the flawed questioning of one who is trying to cheat himself. It is well known that people are not all the same in their levels of understanding of what is beneficial and what is harmful, and their levels of will power are not the same either, when it comes to choosing what is beneficial and avoiding what is harmful. The behaviour of individuals and societies cannot be controlled if things are left to each person’s choice.
If things are left to people’s choice then the harm that results from drinking alcohol is not limited only to the one who drinks, so that he could be left to his own devices and choose whatever he wants for himself. Rather the harmful results affect everyone. The diseases that result from alcohol weaken society as a whole. The productivity of the drunkard is decreased because of his drunkenness, which affects others. The economy is affected as a result of the money spent on treating him, which also affects others. Moreover there are crimes which result from this addiction. In a World Health Organization report on violent crimes in 30 countries, including the US and the UK, it says that 86% of murders and 50% of rapes are carried out under the influence of alcohol. There are many similar, well-known statistics on such topics in various countries around the world.
With regard to road accidents, the statistics are even more well-known. In 1965 – for example – there were 49,000 deaths on roads in the US, and 1,800,000 cases of permanent disability. Public health officials at the time estimated that half of these deaths were caused by alcohol. The losses resulting from these deaths in that year alone were valued at 8900 million dollars.
In Chile, in South America, 70% of traffic accidents in 1966 were caused by drunkenness. In Paris between 10 and 15 % of all accidents were found to have been caused by alcohol.
Moreover, we may respond to this question by asking:
Why don’t we explain how evil it is to steal and then leave people to make their own choice, with no force or punishment? The same could be said of killing and bribery… But then society would become a dangerous and barbaric place, governed by the law of the jungle.
This question itself may be directed against all the laws and systems which people follow in their lives.
The main reason why people deviate from the religion of Allaah, which was revealed from heaven, and go against the laws that He has prescribed for His slaves, is this idea – the idea that people can be left with no commands to follow or prohibitions to heed, even though adhering to commands and prohibitions is what is meant by submission to Allaah (‘uboodiyyah) in its simplest form. This is the pure right of the Creator because He is the Creator, and it is the primary duty of the created being, because he is created. The Lord of the Worlds says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Does man think that he will be left neglected (without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by his Lord Allaah on him)?”
[al-Qiyaamah 75:36].
i.e., does man think that his Lord will leave him alone, with no obligations or commands or prohibitions, then He will ignore him in his grave with no resurrection, no gathering, no reckoning? What then would be the point of servitude to the Lord of the Worlds, if there were no commands or prohibitions, no reward or punishment? How then would anyone enter Paradise?.
Islam Q&A
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Question: Why does Islam forbid alcohol whilst promising the people of Paradise that they will drink wine there?.
Answer: Praise be to Allaah.
We have already listed some of the evil consequences that result from drinking alcohol, which are the reason why drinking it is absolutely forbidden in the religion of Allaah.
But the questioner – may Allaah guide us and him to knowledge of the truth – thinks that the prohibition on alcohol in this world, and the promise to the believers that they will enjoy it in Paradise, is a contradiction or fault in the religion of Allaah, or at best he is confused by this.
Allaah forbid that there should be any contradiction in his Book or His laws, for He is the All-Knowing, All-Wise, All-Aware. Contradictions come from others, not from Him, may He be exalted. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Do they not then consider the Qur’aan carefully? Had it been from other than Allaah, they would surely, have found therein many a contradiction”
[al-Nisa’ 4:82]
Contradictions come from human beings when they try to criticize the revealed words, and from their misunderstanding when they fail to grasp the intended meaning or the wisdom behind the words.
The Book of Allaah is protected by Him, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’aan) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)”
[al-Hijr 15:9].
With regard to other books (scriptures), Allaah has not guaranteed to preserve them, rather He commanded their people to guard them, but they altered them and changed them, so no one longer has any doubt that they have been changed from the form in which Allaah revealed them. Indeed anyone among the people of these Books who has the slightest knowledge does not claim that this is how they were revealed from God or that the Messiah conveyed them like this during his lifetime. Now let us return to the question and ask the questioner:
Are you objecting to the prohibition on alcohol in this world? Do you want it to be permitted as it will be a delight for the people of Paradise? In that case we ask you: Wasn’t alcohol forbidden in your holy Book, and is that not mentioned repeatedly in the Old Testament in which you believe? If you do not know about that, then listen:
“Woe to those who are champions at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks”
Isaiah 5:22 (New International Version)
“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor”
Proverbs 23:20-21 (New International Version)
“Then the LORD said to Aaron: ‘You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You must distinguish between the holy and the profane, between the unclean and the clean.’”
Leviticus 10:8-10 (New International Version)
This is sufficient evidence for anyone who is wise; as for discussing these verses in detail, we do not have room to do so here.
Even in the New Testament of your holy Book, there remain some verses which point to that:
“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, and idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard of a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.”
1 Corinthians 5:11 (New International Version)
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of Gos.”
1 Corinthians 9:9-10 (New International Version)
“Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:18 (New International Version)
And there any many similar verses.
“Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?”
[al-Rahmaan 55:13]
If you claim, as you do, that this prohibition was abrogated and that it became permissible for you, then why do you object to the idea that the Qur’aan abrogated that permission and that Allaah has forbidden it to people in this world?
Or are you objecting to the fact that it will become a delight in the Hereafter after it was forbidden in this world? Do you want it to be forbidden in both realms?
In that case, it remains for us to ask you: if you accept that the prohibition of alcohol in this world was abrogated, so it became permissible – as you claim – then is it not more appropriate that you should accept that in the Hereafter? Even though the Hereafter is not a place of obligations, rather it is the place of delight for the people of Paradise and the torment of Hell for the people of the Fire.
But we say this simply for the sake of argument, to show to him that he was being fair to his opponent when he did not look at what he has (in the Bible).
But if the questioner really wants to know the truth, then the truth is simpler than that, for it is light, and in that case we say to him:
Allaah has forbidden alcohol because it is an evil abomination, of the Devil’s handiwork; it destroys the mind of the one who drinks it and distracts him from worshipping and obeying Allaah, and leads him to disobey Him, and it generates enmity and hatred in the hearts of the believers. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al‑Ansaab (stone altars for sacrifices to idols etc), and Al‑Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaytaan’s (Satan’s) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.
91. Shaytaan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from As‑Salaah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?”
[al-Maa’idah 5:90-91]
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every intoxicant is khamr and all khamr is haraam.” Saheeh Muslim, 2003.
This is what it says in your holy Book:
“Then the LORD said to Aaron: ‘You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink ... You must distinguish between the holy and the profane, between the unclean and the clean.’”
Leviticus 10:8-10 (New International Version)
As for the wine of the Hereafter, it is delightful and is free of all the filth and impurities of worldly wine. Paradise is the abode of the good and pure, and there is nothing in it but good things. Our Lord says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine —
46. White, delicious to the drinkers.
47. Neither will they have Ghoul (any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache, a sin) from that nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom”
[al-Saaffaat 37:45-47]
They will not suffer any kind of hurt, pain, or headaches, and it will not destroy their wealth.
The wine of the Hereafter bears no resemblance to the wine of this world except in name. As for its real nature, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it entered the heart of man. Our Lord says (interpretation of the meaning):
“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do”
[al-Sajdah 32:17]
The one who contaminate himself with the wine of this world deserves to be denied the wine of the Hereafter. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every intoxicant is khamr and every intoxicant is haraam. Whoever drinks wine in this world and dies having persisted in drinking it and not having repented, will never drink it in the Hereafter.”
Saheeh Muslim, 2003.
We ask Allaah to guide you to the truth and help you to give up specious arguments.
And Allaah is the source of strength, and there is no lord but He.
Islam Q&A
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also i would like to say that before reverting i drank for many years, as a lot of people do.
I used to have very bad reactions to drinking small amounts of vodka particularly, disorientation, hyperventalating, and i hear vodka affects many people.
I used to get allergic reactions to some wines.
Over the years i gradually developed worse reactions to drinking, where after the alcohol had worn off the next day my whole body would feel bruised, from head to toe, particularly round my neck and back of my head, it would take about 12 hours for this to go.
Still i carried on drinking (socially)
All i can think is that my body just cant tolerate it, and that it was acting as a poison in my blood stream long after a hangover had gone, quite worrying to think that they were the symptoms I was AWARE of, what about the ones i wasn't aware of?
definately no good i think, but took me long enough to get to that decision! silly mare that i am, i guess im lucky not to have kidney damage.
I also want to add that I used to be a nurse and during my training i visited my ex father in laws dad who had liver failure, all he wanted was to be able to cut his toenails funnily enough and i wanted to do it for him, he had a very yellow complexion and could hardly move about, his family were trying to get the doctor to come and see him but the doctor was busy playing golf! The doctor finally turned up in the evening and transferred him to a residential home where he died that night. These things happen everyday and people have wasted their life drinking.
People blame the individual when they become alcoholics, people dont pity them as much as someone who has another, not self induced illness, I think its easy to pin the blame when all around us society encourages us to drink in the UK, they make alcopops so it tastes like a soft drink, why bother?
The UK is entering becoming one of the worst nations for drinking and why is this? because the government makes so much money from it, they dont want people to stop because then they wont be able to play God with everyones lives anymore for their own agendas.
I wish and prey that one day God could make people see that they have a reason to live and can be happier without alcohol Posts: 1017 | From: uk | Registered: Mar 2006
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I had no problems with Vodka, but give me whiskey and I tell everyone what I really think of them
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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