Drinking Wine : Alcohol in Islam :Why Islam prohibits the drinking of alcohol. By Aisha Stacey
Islam’s Holistic approach to health and well-being means that anything that is harmful or mostly harmful, is forbidden. Therefore, Islam takes an uncompromising stand towards alcohol and forbids its consumption in either small or large quantities. Alcohol is undoubtedly harmful and adversely affects the mind and the body. It clouds the mind, causes disease, wastes money, and destroys individuals, families, and communities. Researchers have proven that there is a strong link between alcohol and gambling. Drinking impairs judgement, lowers inhibition, and encourages the type of risk taking involved in gambling and dangerous activities. God tells us in the Quran that intoxicants and gambling are abominations from Satan and orders us to avoid them. (Quran 5: 90)
WHY IS CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL PROHIBITED IN ISLAM? BY DR ZAKIR NAIK
ACTS PERMITTED DURING FASTING : EPISODE 20
RAMADHAAN - A DATE WITH DR ZAKIR
Islam’s Holistic approach to health and well-being means that anything that is harmful or mostly harmful, is forbidden. Therefore, Islam takes an uncompromising stand towards alcohol and forbids its consumption in either small or large quantities. Alcohol is undoubtedly harmful and adversely affects the mind and the body. It clouds the mind, causes disease, wastes money, and destroys individuals, families, and communities. Researchers have proven that there is a strong link between alcohol and gambling. Drinking impairs judgement, lowers inhibition, and encourages the type of risk taking involved in gambling and dangerous activities. God tells us in the Quran that intoxicants and gambling are abominations from Satan and orders us to avoid them. (Quran 5: 90)
In Australia, a
country with a population of around 20 million, about 3000 people die each year
from alcohol abuse while 65,000 others are hospitalised. Studies have
consistently revealed a link between heavy drinking and brain damage and around
2500 Australians are treated annually for alcohol related brain damage.
Research in the United Kingdom indicates that 6% of cancer deaths are related
to alcohol abuse and Harvard Centre for Cancer Prevention says that drinking
greatly increases the risk for numerous cancers. Alcohol is considered
highly carcinogenic, increasing the risk of mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus,
liver, and breast cancers. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, causing the child to be small at birth, have some
facial malformations, small eye openings, webbed or even missing fingers or
toes, organ deformities, learning disabilities, mental retardation and much
more.
Researchers in
Australia have also estimated that 47% of all those who commit violent crimes,
and 43% of all victims of these crimes, were drunk prior to the event.
Alcohol is responsible for 44% of fire injuries, 34% of falls and drownings,
30% of car accidents, 16% of child abuse instances, and 7% of industrial
accidents. Even though it is clear that alcohol is responsible for a
great many evils it is legal and even encouraged in most societies. In
Muslim countries where alcohol is forbidden many people still find it difficult
to resist temptation and fall prey to the disease that is alcoholism.
Amazingly even in the light of such startling evidence against alcohol, people
around the globe continue to consume alcohol in ever-increasing amounts.
Why?
Alcohol is one of
the tools Satan uses to distract humankind from the worship of God. God
states clearly in the Quran that Satan is an open enemy towards humankind yet
by drinking alcohol, we invite Satan into our lives and make it easy for him to
distract us from our real purpose in life, to worship God.
“Surely, Satan is an
enemy to you, so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his followers
that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.” (Quran 35:6)
Alcohol affects the mind and makes sinful behaviour and evil actions fair
seeming. It creates enmity and hatred between people, prevents them from
remembering God and distracts them from praying, and calls them to participate
in unlawful sexual relationships. Alcohol generates shame, regret, and
disgrace, and renders the drinker witless. It leads to the disclosure of
secrets and exposure of faults.
“Satan wants only to
excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and
gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of God and from the prayer.
So, will you not then abstain?” (Quran 5:91)
In pre Islamic
Arabia, alcohol use was widespread. To eradicate this evil, God in His
mercy revealed the prohibition in stages. First, He made it clear to them
that the harm of drinking alcohol is greater than its benefit, next He told the
Muslims not to come to prayer while intoxicated and finally, He
revealed a verse totally prohibiting alcohol.
“O you who
believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, idolatry,
and divining arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid
that so that you may be successful.” (Quran 5: 90)
When this was
revealed the Muslim citizens of Medina immediately began to destroy and empty
their alcohol containers into the streets. Even those who were
guiltlessly enjoying cups of wine spat the alcohol from their mouths. It
is said that the streets of Medina ran with alcohol. Why then is it so
difficult to expunge this evil in the 21st century? Believers
today must completely trust God, in the same way that the first Muslims trusted
God and understood that He was their only Protector and Provider. All
power and strength comes from God and a scourge like alcohol can be eradicated
only when those affected by alcohol turn to God with complete submission.
The Quran is a book
of guidance sent to all of humankind. It is a set of instructions from
the Creator for His creation. If we follow these instructions, our lives
will be easy and tranquil, even in the face of disaster and mishap. God
links alcohol and gambling to idolatry and declares it filthy and evil;
however, He is merciful and generous towards the believers and acknowledges the
power of addiction.
Islam is committed to encouraging and facilitating those who wish to repent
from evil doing and sinful behaviour. God accepts repentance from those
who are truly sorry for their actions and committed to staying away from
sin. Muslim communities do not ostracise those who have made mistakes but
keep them within the fold of Islam encouraging them to seek the closeness to
God that will allow them to leave sinful behaviour. Friends, family, and
neighbours do not just look away while a person destroys himself or his
family. Islam is a community-oriented faith. There is no place for
an individual to do what he wants to do, if it hurts others. Alcohol
abuse affects not just the alcoholic but also his or her family, and community.
There is great wisdom in the prohibition of alcohol.
WHY IS CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL PROHIBITED IN ISLAM? BY DR ZAKIR NAIK
ACTS PERMITTED DURING FASTING : EPISODE 20
RAMADHAAN - A DATE WITH DR ZAKIR