I found this post at Free-Minds.org which definitely will create a lot of debate. I decided to include the entire text of the article below. I know many of you may disagree with the assertion that it “may” be okay to drink alcohol as a Muslim. I also know some that may agree.
Is alcohol forbidden in Islam?
In many discussions I have witnessed regarding the subject of alcohol, the conclusion predominantly is that it has been `forbidden` or that it is `off-limits` regardless if the person debating is a follower of the Hadiths or is researching based on the laws of the Quran only.
This short article will attempt to put an end to the questions and debates on this issue by analyzing the straightforward verses relating to alcohol in the Quran:
“O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless travelling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.” (4:43)
“O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and altars, and arrows of chance are tools of affliction used by the devil. You shall avoid him so that you may be successful.” (5:90)
“They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say: “In them is great harm, and a benefit for the people; but their harm is greater than their benefit.” And they ask you how much are they to give, Say: “The excess.” It is thus that God clarifies for you the revelations that you may think.” (2:219)
“And from the fruits of the palm trees and the grapes you make wine and a good provision. In that is a sign for a people who comprehend.” (16:67)
“Is the example of Paradise; that the righteous have been promised with rivers of pure water, and rivers of milk whose taste does not change, and rivers of wine that are delicious for the drinkers, and rivers of strained honey, and for them in it are all kinds of fruits, and a forgiveness from their Lord; like that of those who abide in the Fire, and are given to drink boiling water that cuts-up their intestines?” (47:15)
The usual arguments presented on this subject are listed below with their relevant responses:
Argument # 1: Alcohol is `haram/forbidden`
This statement is usually uttered by followers of the Hadith or Ulema with no ability to provide direct evidence from the Quran. This statement is based on no knowledge or research as the Quran is very explicit in the items that are `haram` (see verse 5:3 for an example of how forbidden items are directly stated).
When confronted with obvious contradictions to their statement such as the verse (see 4:43) stating that Salat is not to be approached if a person is intoxicated, they will go into a spin that alcohol was permitted at the beginning of the Quran`s revelation as God did not want to scare people away from the new religion (God had no problem ripping the very fabric of their social and political and religious lives, but did not want to upset people by taking away their drink!). And that when Islam was established, God went ahead and forbade it.
Argument # 2: God tells us that alcohol is `to be avoided` which is far stronger than being `haram/forbidden`.
This statement, although wrong, is somewhat creative. The debaters have decided to create a new category called `stronger than being forbidden` and they base their view on verse 5:90 which they claim God tells people to `avoid` alcohol and therefore this is more powerful than being forbidden as you have to make a conscious effort to even get out of places and situations where alcohol is present.
SHAKIR: O you who believe! intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an uncleanness (Rijs), the Shaitan’s work; shun it therefore that you may be successful. (5:90)
Why is this argument wrong?
Simply because the verse being quoted and used as evidence has been mistranslated.
The word in question is the Arabic `faijtanibuh`. Nearly all translators (and even Arabic speakers) automatically relate this word (which means: `avoid / stay-away`) as addressing the subject of alcohol quoted in the beginning of 5:90. What is obvious to a careful reader is that the wording ends with the `H` which is in Arabic called `dhameer` and is referring to a singular.
Now, the verse in question has two singular items that it may be referring to: 1. Rijs/Uncleanness, 2. Shaitan.
While the majority have obviously selected the `Rijs` to support their theory of alcohol being avoided, the verse is correctly referring to the Devil `Shaitan` as can be seen in the very next verse:
“The devil only wants to cause strife between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to repel you away from remembering God and from the Salat. Will you be deterred?” (5:91)
The correct translation therefore becomes:
“O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and sacraments, and fortunes are foul tools used by the devil. You shall avoid him so that you may be successful.” (5:90)
Argument # 3: Alcohol is `Ithm` (sin) and ithm has been forbidden.
This argument is based on verses 2:219 and 7:33.
As with point # 2, this argument is not valid based on a simply study of the Quranic text.
While `ithm/sin` is indeed clearly forbidden in 7:33, the verse linking alcohol with `ithm` is saying `fihima ithm` (`in them is ithm`) and not they are Ithm. Thus, alcohol in itself is not `Ithm` but may be used in a way that produces the `Ithm` (which is in-line with the previous point that the devil uses these tools against people).
Conclusion:
-
- Nowhere does God forbid alcohol in the Quran.
- God informs us that Salat is not to be approached while intoxicated. This nullifies the `haram` argument in its infancy.
- God tells us heaven will have rivers of alcohol as well as milk and honey. This again nullifies the `haram` argument as no pig or blood or any other `haram` elements are made available.
- The verse used most to outlaw alcohol speaks of the `devil` and that he should be avoided (not the alcohol).
Cleary alcohol is not forbidden in Islam and the only restriction found in the Quran is to avoid making Salat if intoxicated.
However, having said all of the above, it must be noted that alcohol is to treated with `caution` as it may lead to sin and is one of the preferred tools used by the devil to entice humankind.
Source: http://www.free-minds.org/alcohol2
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A very interesting piece. I think it’s an important topic since many Muslims go to the extreme with their thinking that alcohol is haram: they won’t use alcohol as hand disinfectant, cosmetics that contain alcohol, they won’t eat durian, etc. I myself, out of care of my own health and without the need so far to do so, have never drunk alcoholic drinks, but I don’t think using alcohol as disinfectant or drinking drugs that contain alcohol, for example, is wrong.
Another hot debate about halal/haram is, I believe, concerning pig-derived materials. Many Muslims reject using meningitis vaccine because of the porcine enzymes used in the production. But recently Ulil Anshar ‘Abdalla, an Indonesian Muslim thinker (unpopular with hardliners), stated that it is eating pork flesh that is forbidden in the Qur’an. So there should be no problem with the vaccine.
I find debates like this fascinating, and good for Islam
Some great points Tyas.
I remember having to spit out Altoids b/c a Muslim friend said it was haram. As a convert I just shook my head but I ‘played’ along. I mean, technically, you cannot even rinse your mouth out with Listerine but in Vietnam, Central Asia, etc., it is a must due to the poor quality of water.
I understand the importance of halal and haram. Sometimes as a convert, it can be hard to grasp. I think only the Sahaba can grasp the difficulties of giving something up but they had the Prophet (PBUH) with them to help. There are many things Muslims, who were born into Islam, cannot grasp that converts go through. I want to focus some of this with this blog if I can, inshallah.
Thanks for your input.
Assalamu alaykum to the believers,
The author doesn’t understand Hukum Shar’iee, or Arabic, and I wonder if he has a similar genius explanation why Salat is not Fard and why Zina is Halal.
Let’s go through some of the mistakes of this article:
[quote] Argument # 1: Alcohol is `haram/forbidden`
This statement is usually uttered by followers of the Hadith or Ulema with no ability to provide direct evidence from the Quran.[/quote] There is the first, and really the main, problem of the author’s understanding of Islam. The author rejects Ahadith, pure and simple. The Ahadith are more than sufficient in proving that alcohol is Haram, but some diseased individuals still try to push the false idea that Ahadith are not part of Islamic law. Anyone who rejects Ahadith is a Kafir, and Kuffar like to drink alcohol. Do you think that the Qur’an will get these people to stop? Did the laws of Allah (swt) stop the Jews of the Christians who changed their books just to fit their desires? So, it doesn’t matter what I or anyone says here, the author wants to drink, so what does it matter what we say or what the Qur’an says?
I don’t really think it is necessary to explain things past this point, since the above point makes all further points moot. We, unlike the Kuffar, accept both the Qur’an AND the Sunnah, and the Sunnah is more than explicit with the forbidding of alcohol.
But, why not, I’ll go through a couple more points:
[quote]Argument # 2: God tells us that alcohol is `to be avoided` which is far stronger than being `haram/forbidden`.
This statement, although wrong, is somewhat creative. blah blah [/quote] Simply put, Ijtanibooh doesn’t just mean to “avoid” it, but rather it means to “make it alien” to our lives. If the meaning was to simply avoid it, then the word would have been Tajannabooh and not Ijtanibooh. Ijtinaab is to make something external, just like an “Ajnabee” is someone who is not from the people of the land and is an outsider.
[quoteThe correct translation therefore becomes: “O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and sacraments, and fortunes are foul tools used by the devil. You shall avoid him so that you may be successful.” (5:90)[/quote] This is just silly. The author is trying too hard to twist the meaning to fit his diseased desires. The verse says (in meaning of the translation) [b]“intoxicants, gambling, polytheist sacrificial platforms and fortunes (azlaam) are a FILTH (Rijz) from the acts of Shaytaan…”[/b] nothing more needs to be said. It doesn’t matter if the author thinks the “avoid” part is referring to Shaytan or alcohol or Britney Spears. The verse already described alcohol as an act of FILTH from the Shaytan.
Anyways, this article is written by someone who wants to drink alcohol. That is it. The arguments don’t matter, and the evidences don’t matter, he just wants to go and drink.
So, “Layth” (the author), go throw yourself in the Hellfire and stop trying to convince the rest of the Muslims to join you in your stupid beliefs.
Salaam, this debate is very interesting. For me drinking alcohol in Islam is not debatable,because where ever Allah
decrees a law, He makes it absolutely clear with no ambiguity.Yes in alcohol there is some good, but direct consumption is forbidden.
My piece here is to find out from Mazin is, were did he or she find in the Quran that who ever does not believe in the
ahadith is a kafir?
Well answered Brother Mazen,
Yet Mahmoud has doubts concerning Adherence to the Sunnah mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:
“O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you.” (Quran 4:59)
“O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).” (Quran 8:20)
“O ye who believe! give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allah cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom ye shall (all) be gathered.”(Quran 8:24)
Brother Mazen can provide you with even more Verses from Quraan, and can give you more explanation if you want
as liberal muslim I have to say this reply is a great example of why our religion is unfortunately stifled by those who will accept no controversy. By simply saying if you dont believe teh hadith you are kafir is a great way to try to win an argument however it doesnt change the points that were made. The fact is Hadiths are debatable. No one can PROVE beyond a shadow of a doubt that every single quote that was attributed to the prophet is completely accurate. The Koran however is the word of God. And the simple fact is…God did not say that alcohol is haram. One can think of many reasons why society would say it is over the years.God however did not.
Also, sorry to the readers about the html code in my reply. I didn’t realize this website doesn’t allow html code in the replies.
Sorry, but I do feel that an omnipotent and omniscient God will not make the mistake of changing such important rules. Why not forbid alcohol explicitly with one verse rather than three contradictory verses.
Why make the explicit statement advising that one should not pray while drunk? Why not banish the drinkers of alcohol to hellfire such as those who consume blood or pork?
Furthermore, why would God forbid alcohol, only to have rivers of it flowing in paradise? Indeed, if alcohol is the devil’s handiwork, why allow it at all in paradise?
The point I am trying to make is that Islam is a religion of moderation and makes sense. Moderate drinking is possible – however, drunkenness is a deplorable act. If people do not want to drink, it is their choice, but I feel that this website makes far more sense.
I cannot reject all the ahadith, but I do feel that the hadith are not under the explicit protection of God, and may indeed be twisted and subject to man’s interference.