Alcohol in Islamic Teachings

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1 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings Phromphisit Phanchan * Abstract Alcohol, called Khamr in the Qur an, means a fermented beverage that intoxicates a person when he/she drinks it. Muslims who drink Khamr, both in small and large quantities, are unlawful. The Islamic rule about alcohol indicates that alcohol makes Muslims abandon praying five times a day, and creates enmity and hatred among people in society. Moreover, it * Department of Philosophies and Religions, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University

2 หน า 6 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings destroys the minds of people and distances people from their religious duty. Therefore, the Prophet prohibited drinking wine, making, selling, keeping, or even growing grapes for the purpose of selling. This means that Islamic teachings have absolutely prohibited alcohol drinking. However, Islam allowed alcohol only in really necessary cases, that is, in times of extreme necessity, as a medicine, and as a component of medical operations. An important reason for the prohibition of alcohol drinking in Islam is to maintain religion, life, consciousness, tribe, and wealth. Because all Muslims are the servants of Allah, they should spread Allah s religion and tribe, so that they will be called a good servant of Allah, and this can only be done if they have a clear mind, unintoxicated by alcohol. Regarding punishment of alcohol drinking among Islamic people, Muslim jurists unanimously agree that a drinker will be punished by the hadd (prescribed punishment), that is, eighty or forty lashes, even if he confesses. And after his death, his life will become hell and then cannot approach Allah. Briefly, the main objective of abstaining from Muslims alcohol drinking focuses on the society more than the individual, this is to create the unity and security of Muslims tribe and religion.

3 วารสารมน ษยศาสตร และส งคมศาสตร ป ท 6 ฉบ บท 10 หน า 7 1. Introduction In Islamic teachings, Muslims believe that human beings are agents of Allah on earth (The Qur an 2:30). Human beings should live conscientiously to resist various pleasures and can be agents of Almighty Allah on the earth. Moreover, Satan could not defame Allah by saying that Allah created loss and bloodshed on earth (The Qur an 2:30). Therefore, Allah gave the Qur an to human beings to protect them from deception by Satan. Alcohol is one of the deceptions of Satan that human beings should abstain from because alcohol will make them distant from Allah. 2. The Meaning of Alcohol Alcohol is originally an Arabic word al-kohl, which means fermented grain, fruits, or sugar and comes from a fermented intoxicating beverage. The word Khamr or khamrah is used in the Qur'an, and it means a fermented beverage that intoxicates a person when he/she drinks it. It is sometimes translated as "wine." The definition of Khamr can be extended to any intoxicating substance. Thus, beer and similar drinks are Khamr and haram (unlawful) (Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi). Moreover, Umar declared from the pulpit of the Prophet that

4 หน า 8 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings Khamr can befog the mind (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). 3. The Rule about Alcohol Pre-Islamic Arabs had harsh lives and alcohol was indispensable for them. The sale of alcohol was common. Alcohol shops and bars were open 24 hours a day. 1 Therefore, at first, it was difficult to spread Islamic teachings. However, Islam had slowly and systematically given commands about alcohol drinking to Arabs (Benchaphorn Thongsuk, 2540: 33). The stages of these commands can be listed as follows: Firstly, Allah said: And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine ye get out wholesome drink and food: behold in this also is a sign for those who are wise (The Qur an 16: 67). This is the first verse that deals with alcohol. 2 After this verse, there were some Muslims who wondered about the correctness of alcohol drinking. Later on, Allah said: 1 about. html [2006, June 15]. 2 about.html [2006, June 15].

5 วารสารมน ษยศาสตร และส งคมศาสตร ป ท 6 ฉบ บท 10 หน า 9 They as thee concerning wine and gambling, say: in them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit (The Qur an 2: 219). This verse indicated the sin of alcohol drinking. However, most Muslims continued to drink, but some began to abstain or reduce their drinking. Thus, the third time, Allah said: O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say, (The Qur an 4: 43). When Muslims heard this verse, good Muslims abandoned alcohol drinking to concentrate on prayers. And alcohol drinking was a great difficulty, since a Muslim has to pray five times a day. However, some Muslims ignored this because they thought that this prohibition was unclear. Therefore, Umar ibn al-khattab said: O Allah, give us a satisfactory explanation about wine (Cited by Office of the Narcotics Control Board, 2538: 56). Thus, Allah gave verses by saying: O ye who believe! Strong drinks and games of chance and idols and divining of arrows are only an infamy of Satan s handiwork. Leave them aside in order that ye may succeed. Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drinks and games of chance, and turn you

6 หน า 10 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings from remembrance of Allah and from His worship. So will ye not then abstain? (The Qur an 5: 90-91). Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi explains that Allah says so, because Allah wants Muslims to succeed. And drinks and games created enmity and hatred among people in society. Moreover, they destroyed the minds of people and distanced people from religious duty (Banchong Binkasan, Trans., 2533: ). These verses declared the total prohibition of alcohol for Muslims. Muslims spilled alcohol into the sand and streets. They rushed to make themselves pure. 3 Regarding this Allah said leave them aside. This means a total prohibition of all alcohol business. That is, the Prophet prohibited drinking wine, making, selling, keeping, or even growing grapes for the sole purpose of selling. 4 From this point Islam prohibited Muslims from drinking, including in parties or with friends, because Islam considers that an association with alcohol can make a person become addicted (Benchaphorn Thongsuk, 2540: 35). Because Islam wants to protect Muslims from bad environments and bad conducts, Al-Hidith prohibits a 3 about.html [2006, June 15]. 4 abuse.html [2006, June 15].

7 วารสารมน ษยศาสตร และส งคมศาสตร ป ท 6 ฉบ บท 10 หน า 11 person to drink alcohol when eating with friends (Reported by Abu Dawood). This indicates that Islamic teachings absolutely prohibit alcohol drinking. These prohibitions inhibit Muslims who try to seek justifications to drink or touch alcohol. Once a person asked the Prophet about using alcohol as a medicine, the Prophet replied that It is not a medicine but a disease (Muslim). 5 However, Islam still allows alcohol in really necessary cases. The three cases are as follows: (Benchaphorn Thongsuk, 2540: 35) 1. Times of extreme necessity, such as when in a famine a person thirsts or when food sticks in the throat and nothing is available to wash the throat except alcohol or intoxicants. In these cases, Muslims can use alcohol or intoxicants to wash the throat to preserve their lives. As Allah said Even so, if anyone is forced in a helpless situation, intending neither disobedience nor transgression, you will find your Rabb Forgiving, Merciful (The Qur an 6: 145). 2. As a medicine, namely if a disease cannot be treated except by a medicine that is mixed with alcohol. In these 5 [2006, June 15].

8 หน า 12 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings cases, a doctor can use alcohol to save a person s life (Arun Bunchum, (n.d.): 63, 65). 3. As a component of a medical operation, namely while the doctor is operating, the patient may feel pain. In these cases, the doctor can use a drug (alcohol) to repress the pain. Therefore, Islam does not prohibit alcohol in this case (Arun Bunchum, (n.d.): 63, 65). 4. The Effects of Alcohol Drinking on Muslims Al-Ghazali says that the five main purposes of Islamic practice are to preserve religion, life, consciousness, tribe, and the wealth of human beings (M. Umar Chapra, 1992: 1). For these reasons, Islam makes many prohibitions against alcohol and explains the effects of alcohol as follows (Benchaphorn Thongsuk, 2540: 24-30): 4.1 The Effect on Religion Allah creates human beings because he wants worship and respect from them. And if human beings drink alcohol they cannot follow Allah s teaching. Moreover alcohol drinking is a prohibition in Islam: when Muslims drink alcohol they are called destroyers of Islam (Saowanee Chitmuad, 2535: 47).

9 วารสารมน ษยศาสตร และส งคมศาสตร ป ท 6 ฉบ บท 10 หน า The Effect on Life Islam aims to preserve people s life. Thus Islam has widely provided that if an object is a good and beneficial thing, Islam allows it, namely, a person can eat and drink. The Qur an says They ask you what food is lawful for them, say: All good clean things are lawful for you (The Qur an 5: 4). And if something harms a person s health, that thing is prohibited in Islam. Therefore, alcohol drinking is prohibited in Islam because alcohol destroys health and a drinker can die. The prohibition of alcohol drinking is dealt with in these verses in the Qur an Do not kill yourselves by adopting unlawful means. Indeed Allah is Merciful to you (The Qur an 4: 29). And that Do not cast yourselves into destruction by your own hands (The Qur an 2: 195). From these verses, it is shown that Allah prohibits human beings from destroying their lives both in a straight and crooked line. Alcohol drinking is a destruction of life in a crooked line and it is described as a large sin in Islam. A drinker cannot go to heaven but will be punished in hell (Office of the Narcotics Control Board, 2538: 71).

10 หน า 14 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings 4.3 The Effect on Consciousness Allah gives many things to human beings, particularly consciousness, so human beings can use consciousness to separate good from evil. And if a person drinks alcohol, he does not have the awareness to control himself and may not remember Allah, and finally Allah will not love him. Therefore alcohol is an enemy and sin for human beings. Allah says The devil wants only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink and games of chance and to turn you from remembering Allah and from prayer. Will you then resist. (The Qur an 5: 90-91). 4.4 The Effect on a Tribe The preservation and extension of a tribe are important in Islam. Islam supports marriage and family. Thus, taking care of children is a duty of parents, because Islam considers that children are the sons and daughters of Allah and are pure (The Qur an 16: 17). Therefore, parents should take care of them and teach them. Parents have to teach their children to have good conduct so that they can preserve and spread their tribe. But if parents drink alcohol, they do not take care of and teach their children. Their children will follow in their footsteps, have bad conduct, and cannot preserve and spread their tribe.

11 วารสารมน ษยศาสตร และส งคมศาสตร ป ท 6 ฉบ บท 10 หน า The Effect on Wealth Islam supports eating and drinking good and profitable things and prohibits bad and non-profitable things, because Muslims should be economical not prodigal, as Allah says Eat and drink, but do not be extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant (The Qur an 7:31). This verse indicates that a person can use his wealth but should not use it prodigally. If a person uses wealth prodigally, it will have an effect on him and others, and so this deed is prohibited in Islam. Therefore, alcohol is prohibited because it is a bad and nonprofitable thing and affects wealth. 5. The Punishment of Alcohol Drinkers in Islam Allah prohibits alcohol (Khamr) drinking, and this prohibition covers all drugs and intoxicants. Allah punishes a person who indulges in Khamr. The Prophet says that Allah has cursed wine, its drinker, its server, its seller, its buyer, its presser, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who conveys it, and the one to whom it is conveyed (Abu-Dawood, Hadith 3666 narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar). This indicates that Allah concisely sets a punishment about alcohol and covers all stages of doing so.

12 หน า 16 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings Furthermore, Islam sets a strict punishment for addicted people both in this world and the next. For a punishment in this world, Muslim jurists unanimously agree that a drinker will be punished by the hadd (prescribed punishment), that is, eighty or forty lashes, even if he confesses. 6 Whereas for a punishment in the next world, Allah says He who drinks wine in this world and dies while he is addicted to it, not having repented, will not be given a drink in the hereafter (Muslim, Hadith 4963, narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar). Therefore, a drinker will be cursed and cannot have a chance to drink a sugary and nonintoxicated alcohol in the hereafter. But if a drinker can repent, Allah can always forgive him, as the Qur an says: Surely Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and keep themselves clean (The Qur an 2: 222). 6. A Summary of Islamic Morality The Prophet says, Every intoxicant is Khamr, and every Khamr is haram (unlawful) (Reported by Muslim), Of that which intoxicates in a large amount, a small amount is haram (Reported by Ahmad Abu Dawood, and At-Tirmidhi). And If a bucketful 6 [2006, June 15].

13 วารสารมน ษยศาสตร และส งคมศาสตร ป ท 6 ฉบ บท 10 หน า 17 intoxicates, a sip of it is haram (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, and At-Tirmidhi). This indicates the general rule in Islam that any beverage which intoxicates people is unlawful, both in small and large quantities, whether it is alcohol, drugs, fermented raisin drink, or anything else. Therefore, if Muslims drink, they violate Islamic morality. 7. The Main Objective of Abstaining from Alcohol Drinking The general Islamic rule aims to create unity in society by prohibiting alcohol and consider excessive alcohol drinking to be detrimental. This indicates that Islam has a greater focus on society, so prohibits alcohol in order to develop society and peace of mind to have the awareness to maintain a tribe and religion. Therefore we can briefly analyze about the main objective of abstaining from Muslims alcohol drinking that focuses on the society more than the individual as follows: 7.1 An important aspect of Islam is to extend one s tribe and religion. Therefore Islam prohibited alcohol drinking because a person who has sharp faculties and awareness can spread their religion and tribe quickly and widely.

14 หน า 18 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings 7.2 The Alcohol drinking will make a person unable to maintain or extend Allah s religion and their tribe. 7.3 Islam considers that God loves people who abstain from alcohol drinking. Moreover, the consciousness, wealth, religion and life (conduct) of a person who abstains from alcohol will not decline and be destroyed easily. 7.4 The alcohol is the important cause of the bad actions. And it is unlawful and threatens to destroy religion, life, consciousness, tribe and the wealth of human beings. 7.5 Islam strenuously prohibits alcohol drinking. A producer, drinker or seller of alcohol is condemned and evil will occur to people who violate this rule. However, the prohibition can be relaxed, if a person uses alcohol as medicine. 7.6 The leaders of Islam absolutely abstain from alcohol drinking and teach their people not to drink (in Christianity, leaders can drink in appropriate situations and do not teach their people to abstain totally from alcohol). This indicates Muslims leaders want to be the role models and create unity and security in Muslims society in every way and every time. 8. Conclusion Islam clearly prohibits alcohol drinking to protect against the ruin of Muslim families, life, religion and tribes. Furthermore,

15 วารสารมน ษยศาสตร และส งคมศาสตร ป ท 6 ฉบ บท 10 หน า 19 the fear of Allah helps Muslims keep away from alcohol drinking and other evils. If Muslims can abstain from alcohol, they will be loved by Allah, and are good servants of Allah. By contrast, if Muslims drink alcohol, their life will become hell. Therefore, Allah has exalted human beings even higher than the Angels, but if they commit bad actions, they will be reduced to the lowest possible position. Reference Al-Bukhari. (n.d.). Sahih Al-Bukhari. Al-Medina Al- Munawwara: Islamic University. Alyssa. (1995). Alcohol and Muslims [Online]. Available: islamawareness.net/ Alcohol/alcohol_about.html [2006, June 15]. Athar, Shahid. (No date). The Alcohol & Drug Abuse: The American Scene and The Islamic Perspective [Online]. Available: com/misc/booze/alcohol abuse.html [2006, June 15]. Chapra, Muhammad Umar. (1992). Islam and the Economic Challenge (Islamic Economics Series; No. 17). Leicester, England: The Islamic Foundation.

16 หน า 20 Alcohol in Islamic Teachings IslamOnline.net. (2002). Islam Prohibits Alcohol and Drugs [Online]. Available: [2006, June 15]. Muhammad, Ishaq Zahid. (1998). No Alcohol, Absolutely and Positively [Online]. Available: [2006, June 15]. Muslim. (1978). Sahih Muslim. Kashmiri Bazar-Lahore, Pakistan. The Noble Qur an. (No date). USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts [Online]. University of Southern California. Available: [2007, February 05]. เบญจพร ทองส ข. (2540). อ สลามก บป ญหายาเสพต ด. ว ทยาน พนธ ปร ญญาอ กษรศาสตรมหาบ ณฑ ต, ศาสนาเปร ยบเท ยบ บ ณฑ ต ว ทยาล ย มหาว ทยาล ยมห ดล. ย ส พ ก อรฏอว. (2533). หะลาลและหะรอมในอ สลาม. (บรรจง บ นกา ซ น, ผ แปล). (พ มพ คร งท 2). กร งเทพมหานคร: นาราม เด ย. เสาวน ย จ ตหมวด. (2535). ว ฒนธรรมอ สลาม. (พ มพ คร งท 3). กร งเทพมหานคร: ทางน า. อร ณ บ ญชม. (ม.ป.ป.). อ ลฟ กฮ (น ต ศาสตร อ สลาม) เล มท 3. กร งเทพมหานคร: ส.วงศ เสง ยม.

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