In a modern life nowadays, Muslims around the world are facing he same challenge: intoxicants. Especially for those who live in non-Muslim majority countries such as Western countries, intoxicants are very common. People here and there drink intoxicants. It’s very hard to avoid the presence of intoxicants in the middle of business meeting or when hanging out with friends. Intoxicants even have become a part of social life in some country.
But Muslims should know that prohibition of intoxicants in Islam is absolute. The effects of intoxicants are not good, including make people drunk, lose their conscience and may cause some unfortunate things for them and other people as well.
Here are the prohibition of intoxicants in Islam:
1. Intoxicants are the Work of Satan
There is a good reason why intoxicants are strictly prohibited in Islam, it turns out to be the work of Satan. As Allah SWT said in the Quran:
“O You who believe! Indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” - Al Ma’idah (5:90)
Also read: History of Prohibition of Alcohol in Islam
2. It Distanced Us from Allah
Everything comes for the doing of Satan do no good for us, Muslim. Their despicable acts only estrange us from the mercy of Allah. Intoxicants make anyone lost their conscience and in that state of mind, they surely not remember Allah SWT even for a second.
3. To be Beaten But Not Killed
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Whosoever drinks wine, whip him. If he repeats it for the fourth time, kill him.” He (Jaabir) continued: ‘A man was later brought to the Prophet (peace be upon him) who had drunk wine for the fourth time. He beat him, but did not kill him’.” - Tirmidzi & Abu Dawood
Also read: Reasons of Prohibition of Lying In Islam
4. Intoxicants Will not be Served As Drinks in Later Life
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Every intoxicant is Khamr (wine) and every intoxicant is Haraam (unlawful). Whosoever drinks wine in this world and dies whilst having consumed it and not having repented from it will not drink it in the next world [i.e. in Paradise].” - Muslim
5. The Quantity Doesn’t Matter
Once again, Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him), reported what the Prophet (peace be upon him) about intoxicants:
“Whatever intoxicates in a greater quantity is also unlawful in a small quantity.” - Tirmidzi, Abu Dawood, & Ibn Majah
Also read: Prohibition of Swine in Islam
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6. Forbid from Entering the Paradise
Abdullaah bin ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“One who is disobedient to parents, gambles, is harsh after charity (i.e., he reminds others of his charity to them) or is a habitual drunkard shall not enter Paradise.” - Ad Daarimi
7. He Won’t be Accepted As Allah’s Slaves
What can be worse than not being accepted as Allah’s slaves in the Day of Judgement. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“If a habitual drunkard dies, he will meet Allah like the one who worships idols.” - Ahmad & Ibn Majah
Also read: Prohibition of Photography in Islam
8. The Sins are Greater Than the Benefits
Just like gambling, wine are said beneficial for the mind and health. But the sins come from both of them are bigger than the benefits felt.
“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit’.” - Al Baqarah (2:219)
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9. Prohibition from Praying
Allah SWT hates intoxicants that much, He forbid everyone to pray and come near Him for forty days after consuming intoxicants.
“O you who believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying.” Al-Nisa’ (4:43)
Also read: Prohibition of Fasting on Friday
10. Satan’s Way to Avert Us from Praying
As said above, anyone who consume intoxicants are not allowed to pray. It’s the main purpose of Satan, to estranged us from Allah SWT.
“Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from Prayer. So will you desist?” - Al Ma’idah (5:91)
How the Prophet Saw Intoxicants
- As the Key to All Kind of Evils. Once a Muslim touch the intoxicants, it’s like they hold the key to all kind of evils. Evils has become possible since we are not in our right mind after being intoxicated. Committing evil is a big sin in Islam.
- Where Errors and Lapses Begins. When some people said intoxicants are good to release stress or help them to have a good sleeps, it’s actually weaken the mind. Someone who consume intoxicants tend to make errors and may endangered other people’s life.
- The Most Terrible Major Sins. Drinking intoxicants itself is already a big sins, not to mention all the evil deeds come afterwards. Since intoxicants are the door to evil, it is said to be the most terrible major sin a Muslim can commit.
- The Head of Atrocities. If a person lost his conscience, he can no longer differentiate what is wrong and what is right. He won’t think twice to do unlawful acts to other.
- Mother to All Evil. Intoxicants are the mother to all evil since they come right after intoxicants going in to a human’s body. The bad effects are the main reasons why intoxicants are prohibited in Islam.
It has been clear that intoxicants brings many disadvantages to Muslim. Not only it estranged us from Allah SWT, intoxicants can also lead to many of sins and evil deeds.