Download Why is Alcohol Prohibited in Islam?

Why is Alcohol Prohibited in
Islam?
Preamble
• Alcohol consumption has become a fundamental cause of crime globally.
• This addiction is inherent in modern society and seems to be on the rise because of
accessibility.
• Islam is the only religion that has categorically prohibited alcohol for the good of society.
• As the world acknowledges the harmful impact of alcohol and scrambles to minimise its
detrimental effects, many are unaware that in the history of human civilisation there does
indeed exist a time when a society was purged of the troubles that accompany alcohol
consumption—a society whose people were delivered from the shackles and stronghold
of alcohol abuse.
• Certainly, the society and community established by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa in
7th century Arabia was mostly cured of the plague of alcoholism.
• This gives rise to a most pertinent question—what was it about the Islamic prohibition
that allowed it to succeed where other prohibition movements failed miserably?
This Lecture Discusses…
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The attempts of prohibition of alcohol in the USA
Alcohol in the Biblical context
Islam’s stance on alcohol consumption
The wisdom of the Islamic prohibition of alcohol
Whether Islam successfully eradicated alcohol?
Statistics
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The data shows the detrimental effect alcohol has upon society as well as individuals.
Alcohol is widely accepted in the West but it has caused more harm than other illegal drugs such as
heroin and cocaine.
Prohibition in
the USA (19201933)
Prohibition in the USA (1920-1933)
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The prohibition of alcohol was not a popular idea with many Americans.
Initially, under the 18th amendment that prohibited “the manufacture, sale and distribution of
intoxicating liquors”, the consumption of alcohol fell by 20-40 percent.
But then it began to rise, and only one year after the prohibition was instated, alcohol
consumption began to make a sharp recurrence. From 1921 to 1927, it had increased to 60-70
percent of its pre-prohibition level.
Social pressure and respect for the law did not have an impact on the consumption of alcohol.
Simply put, those who wanted to drink drank.
Furthermore, not only did spending on alcohol increase, but also spending on substitutes for
alcohol increased.
In addition to patent medicines, consumers switched to narcotics: hashish, tobacco, marijuana and
cocaine.
These products were potentially more dangerous and addictive than alcohol, and procuring them
often brought users into contact with a more dangerous criminal element.
By 1933, the Prohibition experiment failed and simply re-affirmed the fact that the American
people loved drinking and were not willing to abide by a constitutional law that prohibited
alcohol.
Alcohol in the Biblical Context
Alcohol in the Biblical Context
• Where the constitutional law failed to bring an end to alcohol consumption,
religious law was no more effective.
• A society under the influence of Judeo-Christian theology cannot prohibit the
consumption of alcohol, as it is not explicitly forbidden in their religious
scriptures.
• Of all religious scriptures, it is only the Holy Qur’an which definitively and
categorically forbids the consumption of alcohol.
View of the Promised Messiah (as)
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Expounding upon a historical truth, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah and
Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, states,
• “There was, as it were, no limit to the amount of drinking or
gambling practiced by the followers of these two books (Torah
and Gospels) because they both suffered the inherent flaw that
they did not prohibit these two terrible deeds (alcohol
consumption and gambling)—and, consequently, did not forbid
lewd people from consuming them and indulging in them. It is
for this reason that these two nations consume alcohol as if it
was water and indulge heavily in gambling as well. In contrast
to this, the Holy Qur’an categorically prohibited alcohol, which
is the mother of all vicious and atrocious things. This is a
matter of pride for the Holy Qur’an that it alone definitely
forbade alcohol—the same atrocious substance about which all
of Europe now grieves and wails over—and forbade gambling
in the same manner.”
A Study of the Bible
• A study of the Bible further shows that not only does it fail to forbid alcohol
consumption, but it also gives alcohol a certain significance that is found in no
other book, let alone religious scripture.
• In John Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 11, we find that the very first miracle ever
performed by Jesusas and attributed to him was that of the creation of wine from
water.
• It was due to this miracle of creating wine that people first began believing in
him.
• Wine is also biblically regarded as a concomitant of joy (Psalm 104:14-15 and
Ecclesiastes 9:7) and its use in common ceremonies such as Mass, symbolising
the blood of Christ, further demonstrates its significance.
• Hence, it is unsurprising to learn that even Christian clergy were prone to
excessive drinking and some to even collapsing on pulpits.
Drunkenness is a sin according to the Bible
• Although it is argued that drunkenness is a sin according to the Bible, the fact that
Biblical scripture permits alcohol consumption paves the way to a hazardous
habit which was not even practised by Prophet Jesusas himself.
• The permissibility of alcohol can easily lead to a neglect of healthy limitations.
View of the Promised Messiah (as)
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The Promised Messiahas regarding the permissibility of alcohol in the Bible, writes,
• “When man is blinded by a bigoted and sinful life, he becomes
unable to tell the difference between what is permissible and
what is impermissible and renders all permissible things
forbidden and all forbidden things permissible; and he does not
hesitate to shun good deeds. Alcohol, which is the mother of all
vain things, is permissible among the Christians but is definitely
forbidden in our Shariah (Islamic Law) and is referred to as ‘the
abomination of Satan’s handiwork’. Is there any priest who can
show the impermissibility of alcohol consumption in the Bible?
Rather, alcohol is thought to be so blessed that the first miracle
of the Messiah (Jesusas) was the creation of wine; so why would
they not be bold in its consumption? Perhaps even the most
temperate of them drinks at least one bottle of brandy. Thus, the
abundance of alcohol in England has given rise to new crimes.”
Islam’s Stance on Alcohol Consumption
Islam’s Stance on Alcohol Consumption
• In contrast to Biblical scripture, the Holy Qur’an categorically forbids the
consumption of alcohol.
• In order to completely eradicate the consumption of alcohol, the Arab mentality
that it was acceptable was first changed by Qur’anic teachings, thus everything
else followed as a natural consequence of this change in attitude.
• Like the abolishment of slavery, where slaves were not only freed but were fully
integrated into Islamic society and seen as intellectual equals, Islam’s teachings
regarding alcohol struck at the very root of the problem and changed perceptions
first.
Personal Reflection
• The very first Qur’anic revelation mentioning khamr (wine) was revealed in the
early Meccan period of Islam and is mentioned in Chapter 16, Verse 68:
• “And of the fruits of the date-palms and the grapes, whence you obtain
intoxicating drink and wholesome food. Verily, in that is a Sign for a people
who make use of their reason.”
• This verse speaks about both the good and bad sustenance derived from the same
source, i.e., dates and grapes.
• The wisdom in this Qur’anic revelation was to focus the attention of the Muslims
toward intoxicating drinks and to allow them to reflect on the issue themselves.
• It was a subtle hint of the evils of such drinks, which is juxtaposed to the idea of
“wholesome food.”
• Following this revelation, alcohol was prohibited in three stages with the
following verses:
Stage 1
• Allah first discouraged the believing Muslims from drinking wine, drawing to
attention the fact that there was greater evil than benefit in intoxicants.
• Chapter 2, Verse 220 states,
• “They ask thee concerning wine and the game of hazard. Say: ‘In both there is
great sin and also some advantages for men; but their sin is greater than their
advantage…’”
Stage 2
• Next, Muslims were forbidden to pray whilst intoxicated.
• Chapter 4, Verse 44 states,
• “O ye who believe! Approach not Prayer when you are not in full possession
of your senses, until you know what you say.”
• The fact that there were five prayers spread throughout the day (from before
sunrise to after sunset), encouraged sincere Muslims to abandon the habit.
• Prayer was promoted and given precedence over drinking, because the
Muslim Salat (obligatory prayer) is fundamentally a purifying experience that
safeguards one from committing sin and acting unrighteously.
Stage 3
• Finally, alcohol consumption was deemed an abomination of Satan’s handiwork
and was definitively and strictly forbidden.
• Chapter 5, Verses 91-92 state,
• “O ye who believe! Wine and the game of hazard and idols and divining
arrows are only an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So shun each one
of them that you may prosper. Satan desires only to create enmity and hatred
among you by means of wine and the game of hazard, and to keep you back
from the remembrance of Allah and from Prayer. But will you keep back?”
The
Wisdom of
the Islamic
Prohibition
of Alcohol
The Wisdom of the Islamic Prohibition of Alcohol
• As stated earlier, the reason that Islam successfully eradicated alcohol was that it
changed the prevalent perceptions of alcohol at the time.
• Then, when the time came to forbid it completely, it was done in a gradual
manner so that it could be successfully implemented.
• Such a radical change in attitudes prior to the implementation of scriptural
injunctions is not found in any other religion, except Islam.
‘Do not drink!’
• Had the first revelation of the Qur’an been: ‘Do not drink,’ it would have been ignored
and ineffective.
• Regarding this exact scenario, Hazrat A’ishahra states,
• “When people embraced Islam, the verses regarding legal and illegal things were
revealed. If the first thing to be revealed was: ‘Do not drink alcoholic drinks,’ people
would have said, ‘We will never leave alcoholic drinks,’ and if there had been
revealed, ‘Do not commit illicit sexual intercourse,’ they would have said, ‘We will
never give up illicit sexual intercourse.’”
• Therefore, as the Qur’anic commentator, Imam Fakhr al-Din Razi states,
• “The wisdom behind prohibition being revealed in this order was that Allah knew the
people had a close affinity with drinking wine. Thus, He knew that had He prohibited
it all at once, it would have been very difficult for them (to conform to the
prohibition).”
The Perfect Method
• Thus, there is much wisdom to be found in the methodology employed by Islam
in order to implement a new law.
• In addition to this methodology, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa also warned
believers of the evils of intoxication.
• “Wine (alcohol) is the mother of all sins, and whosoever drinks it, Allah will
not accept his prayers for a period of forty days; and if such a one dies while
there is alcohol in his stomach, he dies a death of ignorance.”
• In order to completely and wholly purify society of intoxicants, it was necessary
to forbid even the smallest amounts of alcohol.
• It is a natural phenomenon that those who abuse drugs and intoxicants begin with
small amounts and then, due to a lack of self-control and satisfaction with smaller
amounts, they require larger quantities to sustain intoxication—eventually
becoming addicted.
The Perfect Method [cont]
• In order to combat this natural phenomenon, we find that the Holy
Prophetsa stated,
• “Every intoxicant is unlawful and whatever causes intoxication in large
amounts, a small amount of it is (also) unlawful.”
• Just recently, medical analyses have concluded that even small amounts of
alcohol are detrimental to health.
• Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer for England, published a report
stating that, “Drinking any level of alcohol regularly carries a health risk,” and
that even the smallest amounts of alcohol can increase the risks of cancer and
other illnesses.
• Consequently, all doors to intoxication were closed and remained with regards to
the ruling of alcohol consumption.
The Beneficial Effects of Alcohol
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However, Islam does not disregard the fact that alcohol has beneficial properties.
The Holy Qur’an acknowledges the benefits of both alcohol and gambling by stating that,
• “there is great sin and also some advantages for men; but their sin is greater than their
advantage.”
Thus, Islam acknowledges that alcohol has beneficial properties but since its harms outweigh its
benefits, it is deemed unlawful.
Furthermore, it must be remembered that Islam is a religion of moderation and although alcohol
consumption is prohibited, the use of alcohol in medicines is permitted.
In fact, Muslim alchemist and scholar Muhammad ibn Zakariyya Al-Razi, who is generally
credited with the discovery of ethanol (pure alcohol), was “the first physician to systematically use
alcohol in his practice as a physician.”
After the discovery of ethanol, alcohol was refined and used by Persians in its distilled form as a
painkiller and an anaesthetic.
Today, it is commonly used as a solvent in homeopathic medicines by Muslims and non-Muslims
alike.
Muhammad ibn Zakariyya Al-Razi
• Muhammad ibn Zakariyya Al-Razi
• The first physician to systematically
use alcohol in his practice as a
physician.
Did Islam Successfully Eradicate
Alcohol?
Did Islam Successfully Eradicate Alcohol?
• The question arises whether or not Islam successfully implemented the
prohibition of alcohol.
• To answer this, we find Ahadith which demonstrate that not only was Islam able
to successfully purge society of alcohol consumption, but Muslims abandoned it
instantaneously, the very moment it was forbidden.
• Hazrat Anas bin Malikra narrates an incident regarding the day alcohol was finally
prohibited:
• “I was serving Abu ‘Ubaida, Abu Talha and Ubai bin Ka’b with a drink
prepared from ripe and unripe dates. Then somebody came to them and said,
‘Alcoholic drinks have been prohibited.’ (On hearing that) Abu Talha said,
‘Get up, O Anas, and pour it out!’ So I poured it out.”
• It is said that upon the announcement of the prohibition of alcohol, so much
alcohol was poured away that the streets of Madinah became rivers or streams of
wine.
• Alcohol consumption was forever abandoned by the society that Islam created.
• In a day or two, the entire city of Madinah became abstinent and the greatest
campaign that had ever been launched against alcohol consumption was brought
to fruition.
• Indeed, this was a great demonstration of the degree of faith and conviction of the
early Muslims, who instantly abandoned a habit that had been inherent in their
society for generations.
• It is worthy to note that at the time of prohibition, Muslims were not coerced into
abandoning the habit rather it was their own conviction and faith alone that made
them willingly give up alcohol consumption forever.
• It is for this reason that wherever Islam spread and became the dominant religion,
alcohol consumption was purged from those lands.
View of the Promised Messiah (as)
• Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised
Messiah states,
• “Many times it happens that if a certain thing is
not widespread enough, then its effects cannot
be known. Take for instance the prevalence of
alcohol nowadays in places like Europe—if this
prevalence did not occur, then how could its
negative effects become manifest, from which
the world today seeks refuge? And by its
prevalence, the beauty of Islam and the
Messengersa of Islam is revealed, who stopped
this vice and deemed it unlawful.”
Final remarks
• The adverse effects of alcoholism, if anything, have shown that the teachings of
Islam are full of wisdom and benefit and can indeed be implemented to positively
reform nations.
• Today, alcohol consumption and its detrimental effects on society has caused
widespread unrest and this unrest is expressive of a desire for reform.
• In the midst of such restlessness, the religion of Islam suggests a solution to this
crisis and stands as a golden example of how society can successfully be freed of
the shackles of alcoholism forever.
References
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This presentation was adapted from a recent article in the Review of Religions
• http://www.reviewofreligions.org/12519/why-alcohol-is-prohibited-in-islam/