THE PROPHET AND ALCOHOL
During the early days of Islam, consumption of liquor, just like other ills and evils of society, was also prevelent. When Rasulullah migrated from Makkah to Madinah he found that the Madinites were also indulging in drinking. The masses were so attracted by the superficial and deceptive benefits offered by drinking that their minds became oblivious of the harmful effects and the evils lurking within these addictions.
Our Prophet was the finest model who set the best example of his sublime characteristic, so much that whatever was yet to be declared Haram, His habit and nature made him detest it from the very outset. Besides Rasulullah other Sahâbâhs also refrained from consuming alcoholic beverages even when these were Halaal.
On Reaching Madinah some of Sahâbâh realised the evil in liquor. So, Hazrat Umar Farooq , Maaz Ibn Jabal . and some of the other Sahâbâh approached Rasulullah and questioned him regarding alcohol and gambling, which they thought were ruining not only man’s intelligent but also his wealth.
In response to this query, the above verse was revealed and it constituted the first of a series of revelations leading to the final and conclusive verse, which prohibited and declared Haram both gambling and liquor. Although the above verse dose not prohibit alcohol outright, but it never the less presents a ‘Mashwarah’ (advice) for abstaining from the usage of alcohol. This is why some of the Sahâbâh, after hearing this verse immediately stopped consuming alcohol and accepted this mashwarah.
STORIES REGARDING ALCOHOL
On the other hand some of the other Sahâbâhs resumed that this verse did not declare alcohol Haram, so they declared that it overtakes full precaution and law, that a mediate consumption of alcohol would not be harmful.
However, shortly an incident occurred which brought about a sudden change in the situation. One day, Hazrat Abdur-Rahman Ibn Auf had invited some of his companions, and as was the custom of the Arabs they had consumed alcohol after their needs.
Thereafter, while still in a state of intoxication, the Maghrib Salâh was performed. The Imâm who was also drunk made an error in his recitation of Surah Kafiroon. Upon this, the second step was taken to prevent the consumption of alcohol, by the revelation of the following verse: “O Believers’ do not approach Salâh while intoxicated.” (Surah Nisaa)
This verse now declared alcohol Haraam in clear-cut terms but the consumption was for the duration of Salâh times, and at other periods it was still permissible. With this second warning many more of the Sahâbâhs refrained completely from drinking Alcohol, reasoning that what good can there be in something that deprives one from Salâh.
There were others however, who drank liquor during the intervening periods of salâh until the following incident took place: Uthmaan Ibn Maalik invited a few Sahâbâhs for a meal. After the meal, as was customary liquor was served. Thereafter, they became involved in another Arab custom, reciting poetry praising oneself, family and clan and simultaneously teasing and belittling others who didn’t belong to that group.
During this gathering, Hazrat Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas recited a few lines of poetry in which he criticized and belittled the Ansars of Madinah. Hearing this, an Ansari youth became enraged and threw a bone at him, which inflicted a severe wound on the head of Saad Ibn Waqqas
He then complained against the youngster to Rasulullah, after which he made dua’a to Allah:
“O Allah! Grant us a clear cut for regarding alcohol.”
In response to this the 3rd and 4th verses concerning the complete prohibition of alcohol, were revealed as part of Surah Ma’idah:
"O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry and arrows (for seeking help on decision) one an abomination of order that you may be successful. Shaytan seeks only to cast amongst you enmity and hatred by means of STRONG DRINK and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from his worship, will you then not refrain? ”(Surah Ma’idah 90-91)
Allah in his wisdom, firstly disclosed the evils in alcohol, then prohibited it at Salâh times and finally declared it absolutely HARAAM.
ALCOHOL THE MOTHER OF ALL SINS
Just as there lies great wisdom in the gradual revelation of laws prohibiting alcohol, there is also wisdom in the strait enforcement of severe punishment for drinking alcohol. Therefore, the Prophet referred to alcohol as the mother of sins because after consuming it, man can indulge in other major sins.
Once a pious man met a woman, who invited him towards committing a sin (adultery). The man flatly refused. After her constant insisting, she still failed. Thereafter, she gave him a choice of options, 1. Committing adultery with her or 2. To murder her newly born child, whom had she begot from her previous husband. Or 3. To consume some alcohol which she possessed. If he were not willing to comply then she would scream and falsely inform the inhabitants of that place that he had raped her. The man upon pondering decided to consume the alcohol, taking it to be least harmful of the three sins. Upon the consumption of alcohol, he became intoxicated, and then consequently, he killed the child and also committed adultery with the woman.
In one Hadith, Rasulullah has said that Imâm and alcohol cannot gather (are not compatible) with a person (Nasai)
May Almighty Allah save the Ummah, especially the youth from this sin and everything, which calls upon His wrath. Ameen.
Our Prophet was the finest model who set the best example of his sublime characteristic, so much that whatever was yet to be declared Haram, His habit and nature made him detest it from the very outset. Besides Rasulullah other Sahâbâhs also refrained from consuming alcoholic beverages even when these were Halaal.
On Reaching Madinah some of Sahâbâh realised the evil in liquor. So, Hazrat Umar Farooq , Maaz Ibn Jabal . and some of the other Sahâbâh approached Rasulullah and questioned him regarding alcohol and gambling, which they thought were ruining not only man’s intelligent but also his wealth.
In response to this query, the above verse was revealed and it constituted the first of a series of revelations leading to the final and conclusive verse, which prohibited and declared Haram both gambling and liquor. Although the above verse dose not prohibit alcohol outright, but it never the less presents a ‘Mashwarah’ (advice) for abstaining from the usage of alcohol. This is why some of the Sahâbâh, after hearing this verse immediately stopped consuming alcohol and accepted this mashwarah.
STORIES REGARDING ALCOHOL
On the other hand some of the other Sahâbâhs resumed that this verse did not declare alcohol Haram, so they declared that it overtakes full precaution and law, that a mediate consumption of alcohol would not be harmful.
However, shortly an incident occurred which brought about a sudden change in the situation. One day, Hazrat Abdur-Rahman Ibn Auf had invited some of his companions, and as was the custom of the Arabs they had consumed alcohol after their needs.
Thereafter, while still in a state of intoxication, the Maghrib Salâh was performed. The Imâm who was also drunk made an error in his recitation of Surah Kafiroon. Upon this, the second step was taken to prevent the consumption of alcohol, by the revelation of the following verse: “O Believers’ do not approach Salâh while intoxicated.” (Surah Nisaa)
This verse now declared alcohol Haraam in clear-cut terms but the consumption was for the duration of Salâh times, and at other periods it was still permissible. With this second warning many more of the Sahâbâhs refrained completely from drinking Alcohol, reasoning that what good can there be in something that deprives one from Salâh.
There were others however, who drank liquor during the intervening periods of salâh until the following incident took place: Uthmaan Ibn Maalik invited a few Sahâbâhs for a meal. After the meal, as was customary liquor was served. Thereafter, they became involved in another Arab custom, reciting poetry praising oneself, family and clan and simultaneously teasing and belittling others who didn’t belong to that group.
During this gathering, Hazrat Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas recited a few lines of poetry in which he criticized and belittled the Ansars of Madinah. Hearing this, an Ansari youth became enraged and threw a bone at him, which inflicted a severe wound on the head of Saad Ibn Waqqas
He then complained against the youngster to Rasulullah, after which he made dua’a to Allah:
“O Allah! Grant us a clear cut for regarding alcohol.”
In response to this the 3rd and 4th verses concerning the complete prohibition of alcohol, were revealed as part of Surah Ma’idah:
"O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry and arrows (for seeking help on decision) one an abomination of order that you may be successful. Shaytan seeks only to cast amongst you enmity and hatred by means of STRONG DRINK and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from his worship, will you then not refrain? ”(Surah Ma’idah 90-91)
Allah in his wisdom, firstly disclosed the evils in alcohol, then prohibited it at Salâh times and finally declared it absolutely HARAAM.
ALCOHOL THE MOTHER OF ALL SINS
Just as there lies great wisdom in the gradual revelation of laws prohibiting alcohol, there is also wisdom in the strait enforcement of severe punishment for drinking alcohol. Therefore, the Prophet referred to alcohol as the mother of sins because after consuming it, man can indulge in other major sins.
Once a pious man met a woman, who invited him towards committing a sin (adultery). The man flatly refused. After her constant insisting, she still failed. Thereafter, she gave him a choice of options, 1. Committing adultery with her or 2. To murder her newly born child, whom had she begot from her previous husband. Or 3. To consume some alcohol which she possessed. If he were not willing to comply then she would scream and falsely inform the inhabitants of that place that he had raped her. The man upon pondering decided to consume the alcohol, taking it to be least harmful of the three sins. Upon the consumption of alcohol, he became intoxicated, and then consequently, he killed the child and also committed adultery with the woman.
In one Hadith, Rasulullah has said that Imâm and alcohol cannot gather (are not compatible) with a person (Nasai)
May Almighty Allah save the Ummah, especially the youth from this sin and everything, which calls upon His wrath. Ameen.
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Comment
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Comment by Abdurahman Serrano on July 15, 2010 at 4:55pm -
Maraming salamat ulit brother... Jazaka Allahu Khayran...
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Comment by Jibreel on July 15, 2010 at 2:21pm -
Comment by Abdurahman Serrano 5 hours ago
Assalamu alaikum brother..
Ngayon ko lang nalaman o nabasa ang history ng alak regarding Islam. Maraming salamat sa mga paliwanag mo brother..Jazaka Allahu Khayran...
Pwede ba nating sabihin na ung miracle ni Jesus(pbuh) sa christian bible na ginawang alak yung tubig sa isang kasalan ay tutoo? pwedeng paki paliwanag brother..
Allah knows best..
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Wa Alaikum Salam Brother,
In order to answer this question we must first explore the meaning of the word "Wine." Looking at the dictionary one can learn that the word "Wine" has following meanings.
wine (wºn) n. 1.a. A beverage made of the fermented juice of any of various kinds of grapes, usually containing from 10 to 15 percent alcohol by volume. b. A beverage made of the fermented juice of any of various other fruits or plants. 2. Something that intoxicates or exhilarates. 3. Color. The color of red wine. --wine v. wined, win·ing, wines. --tr. 1. To provide or entertain with wine. --intr. To drink wine. [Middle English, from Old English wºn, from Latin vºnum.]
Let us keep this fact in mind that the word [wine] does not automatically carry connotations [in dictionary] of an intoxicant drink, it is more obviously used for juice. Looking into the issue further we see that word [alcohol] means:
al·co·hol (²l"k.-hôl", -h¼l") n. 1. Abbr. al., alc. A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid, C2H5OH, synthesized or obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches and widely used, either pure or denatured, as a solvent and in drugs, cleaning solutions, explosives, and intoxicating beverages. Also called ethanol, ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol. 2. Intoxicating liquor containing alcohol. 3. Any of a series of hydroxyl compounds, the simplest of which are derived from saturated hydrocarbons, have the general formula CnH2n+1OH, and include ethanol and methanol. [Medieval Latin, fine metallic powder, especially of antimony, from Arabic al-ku¡l : al, the + ku¡l, powder of antimony.]
Since Bible does not prove and/or indicates that alleged wine was intoxicant, neither Noble Qur'an supports biblical account. It is therefore safe to say that it is inconceivable for a great Prophet Jesus to act in such contradictory fashion to turn water into intoxicant [wine] as we know it by proven record that intoxicants [alcoholic beverages] are responsible of social and moral bankruptcy in form of drunk driving accidental deaths, rape, incest, murder, suicide and more.
The Bible manifest the result of consumption of intoxicant recorded at:
Hosea 4:11 “Take away the heart - Deprive men of their understanding and judgment.”
In Noble Qur'an [Allah "swt'] says:
Noble Qur'aan 2:219 "They ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling.[] Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: "That which is beyond your needs." Thus Allâh makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought."
Noble Qur'aan 5:90 "O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, AlAnsâb[], and AlAzlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitân's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful."
Noble Qur'aan 5:91 Shaitan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As - Salat (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?
The above three verses from Noble Qur'an are self-explanatory and are evident that Islam is NOT against and/or has forbidden anything by name it has certainly permitted or forbid an act and/or product [whether natural or man made] by its characteristics. It is important to remind us that what Allah has forbidden is what intoxicates, not a substance. We have several Hadiths, in addition to the Qur'anic orders, which make it clear that any drink that intoxicates is forbidden. The Prophet Muhammad [saw] explains that when taking only a large amount of a particular drink produces intoxication, then it is forbidden even to have a sip of it.
We cannot properly understand the wisdom behind a particular point of detail in Islam unless we understand the nature of this system, its basic principles and its guarantees. Moreover, details of the Islamic system should not be implemented in isolation to the rest of the system. We cannot simply take one legal provision or one principle of Islam and try to implement it in a social setup, which is not Islamic.
Barak Allah Feek
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Comment by Abdurahman Serrano on July 15, 2010 at 9:10am
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Assalamu alaikum brother..
Ngayon ko lang nalaman o nabasa ang history ng alak regarding Islam. Maraming salamat sa mga paliwanag mo brother..Jazaka Allahu Khayran...
Pwede ba nating sabihin na ung miracle ni Jesus(pbuh) sa christian bible na ginawang alak yung tubig sa isang kasalan ay tutoo? pwedeng paki paliwanag brother..
Allah knows best..
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Comment by ibrahim on June 22, 2010 at 9:31pm -
mashaALLAH good presentation bro, jazakallahu khayran
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Comment by Jibreel on June 21, 2010 at 6:12pm
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Missing aya mentioning on the above paragraphs...
“They ask you regarding wine and gambling. Say, in both of them is major sin, and there is some benefit for men, but the sin of them is far greater than benefit ”(Surah Baqarah)
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