Why is there a ban on drinking alcoholic beverages in Islam? What are the origins of the taboo on intoxicating drinks? And are there any indulgences in alcohol consumption?
Islam has a strict prohibition on the use of alcohol and all mind-numbing and mind-numbing substances, unlike other religions. In many religions, prohibition is not provided for and alcoholic beverages are used even for ritual purposes.
Why is alcohol forbidden in the Quran?
The Holy Quran, the Divine word, explicitly prohibits the use of alcohol.
And to the question: "Why does Islam forbid drinking alcohol? "there is an unequivocal answer, because the Almighty Creator has commanded it!"
This is evidenced by the Messenger of God, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
"Wine (that is, everything that intoxicates the mind) is the mother of all vices. And whoever drinks it, prayer will not be accepted for forty days, and if he dies while it is in his womb, he will die the death of the times of pre-Islamic ignorance (jahiliya)." (Tabarani, Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat, 3667)
In Arabic, the word "hamr" means any substance, the use of which clouds the mind.
Everyone knows that drinking alcohol is intoxicating and that it is very harmful to health.
Even if there were no prohibition from God to drink alcohol, a reasonable person would have to give it up, since alcohol consumption causes many misfortunes, tragedies, breaks up families, mutilates, takes lives, sows hostility and hatred between people.
Knowing the great harm caused by all this, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"All intoxicants are forbidden." (Bukhari, 4343; Muslim, 1733). Therefore, a great sin is committed by a person who, knowing about this prohibition, consumes alcoholic beverages.
The history of the introduction of prohibition in Islam
The prophetic mission of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) began in the lands of the Arabian Peninsula. In those days, the use of wine and intoxicating drinks was quite common in society, and if a ban had been immediately imposed on them at that time, many could have turned away from Islam, and therefore the ban was implemented in stages with the revelation of the lines of the Holy Quran.
The first verse hinted that there was no satisfaction of the Creator in this, and perhaps those who understand would understand.
"From dates and grapes, you get both an intoxicating drink and a good meal [juice, vinegar, fresh and dried fruits]. Indeed, there is a sign in this for a people who reflect." (Kalam Sharif, 16:67).
The following verse explained to people who believe that there is much more harm than good in intoxicants, despite the fact that the benefits derived from them are very insignificant.
"You [O Muhammad] are being asked about wine and gambling. Answer: "There is a great sin in them, but there is also a [minor] benefit for people, and in other words, there is [disproportionately] more sin in them than there is benefit" (Kalam Sharif, 2:219).
In this verse there is an appeal to the Prophet: "They are asking you... answer them," and gambling is mentioned along with intoxicants. And in our time, they are often concomitant sins.
Truly intoxicating drinks, gambling, drugs, debauchery, fortune-telling arrows are the filth of despicable deeds and there is more sin in them than in other forbidden deeds.
Then there was another verse.
"O believers! Do not approach prayer while drunk until you understand [the meaning of] what you are saying..." (Kalam Sharif, 4:43).
Every Muslim is obliged to perform prayer, and drunkenness is one of the acts of Satan, which turns a person away from prayer and turning to God.
Finally, a verse was sent down with a final decision on a complete ban.
"O believers! Indeed, wine, gambling, altars, and fortune-telling arrows are the abominations of Shaitan. So avoid it in order to succeed [avoiding punishment from Allah].
Indeed, Shaitan wants to plunge you into enmity and [mutual] hatred through wine and gambling, and prevent you from remembering Allah and [performing] prayer. Won't you stop?" (Kalam Sharif, 5:90, 91).
These verses gave a full explanation of why intoxicants should not be consumed, and at the same time mentioned other great sins, such as alcohol consumption, gambling, and objects of idolatry, such as stone altars, fortune-telling arrows. It also warns against the fact that the devil wants to sow enmity and hatred between you.
Therefore, in Islamic countries, in particular in Saudi Arabia, there is a complete ban on the use, production, sale and import of alcohol and punishment is provided for this.
What kind of alcohol is not prohibited in Islam?
This question is often asked. The answer is simple, there is no illegal alcohol in Islam, neither in small nor in large doses.
Someone drinks and tries to find an excuse for himself, saying that he drinks for treatment, for medical purposes. There is also an answer to this in the hadith.:
"Truly, there is no cure or cure in him, but there is a disease in him." (Muslim, 1984; Ibn Majah, 3500).
How many successful people have ruined themselves by becoming addicted to alcohol, how many people die from it, and how many crimes are committed. The scale of alcoholism is simply terrifying, it is a terrible tragedy and it can be called one of the global problems of mankind.
Today, it is extremely important to protect our younger generation from alcohol and promote sobriety as the foundation of a healthy society.
What should a person who is still addicted to alcohol do?
He should want to stop drinking. Otherwise, it is very, very difficult to help him, sometimes it is not possible.
In the sermons of religious figures, there is a call for every drinker to leave intoxicants - "avoid her, perhaps you will succeed!"
Sincere repentance gives a person the strength to break out of the wine pool.
Whoever wants and follows the Creator's command will be able to defeat the green serpent through repentance, prayer and sincere hope for the Creator's help.
A person must understand that sooner or later alcohol and other sins will destroy a person, because alcohol has great harm to health.
Among the main causes of liver disease, cardiovascular system and other diseases of internal organs, alcohol consumption is in the first place.