Islam & Alcohol

[Trey of Diamonds]

Ok, as I understand it, a Muslim may not partake of fermented grape or grain. But there are some alcohols not from either of those.

Mead - Honey
Vodka - Potatoes
Tequila - Agave

How are those viewed? Does a Muslim who takes advantage of this loophole living in sin? Is it really so wrong to use alcohol in moderation?

 

[robo]

Are you talking about here on earth or in Islamic heaven?

In heaven, wine will flow 24X7. So, alcohol is only haraam here on earth because our life is a test. Once we pass the test, in heaven, we will be provided with all that we were forbidden here on earth.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

There are Koranists (Koran only Muslims) who will make an argument for alcohol being permissible in moderation. The Koran itself doesn't forbid alcohol, it even mentions that one should skip prayer if intoxicated.

 

[arthra]

I think initially the law regarding alcohol was gradually introduced.. At first believers were restricted from being under the influence of alcohol when they prayed

O ye who believe! approach not prayer while ye are drunk, until ye well know what ye say; nor yet while polluted,- unless ye be passing by the way,- until ye have washed yourselves

(The Qur'an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura 4 - Women)

and later it was extended to the entire life.. so it was gradually enforced...

219. They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah make clear to you His Signs: in order that ye may consider.

(The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 2)



Volume 7, Book 69, Number 491:
Narrated 'Aisha:
Allah's Apostle was asked about Al-Bit. He said, "All drinks that intoxicate are
unlawful (to drink.)

The "wine" of heaven is a symbol of spiritual wine:

15. (Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible: rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits, and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)?

(The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 47)


That wine of God (the righteous) yields a perfume of musk;
Other wine (the evil) is reserved for penalties and pains.

(Mathnavi of Rumi (E.H. Whinfield tr), The Masnavi Vol 1)

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Then why are modern day Muslims so strict on Alcohol consumption? Is it mostly part of Fundamentalism?

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Well there are hadiths that outright condemn alcohol consumption is why they're strict on it.

The Koran itself doesn't entirely forbid it.

 

[Gharib]

O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansab , and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.
(Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #90)

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansab , and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.
(Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #90)

In this context, isn't tobacco considered an intoxicant? I know some Muslims also refrain from smoking tobacco. So how is tobacco justified while alcohol is not?

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Yes but the above verse posted by Artra shows that its also permitted to spend within your means on alcohol and that there is benefit in it.

 

[Breathe]

Vodka is made from potatoes?
Eww.

 

[Bob Dixon]

Vodka is made from potatoes?
Eww.

Vodka can be made from just about anything. It's not the source of the ethanol that makes the vodka what it is. It's actually the distillation and the source of the water. You can make it out of potatoes, wheat, rice, barley, whatever you want. It doesn't matter. It's distilled and there's no flavouring agent, so there's no difference between one source of ethanol and another.

 

[FearGod]

Ok, as I understand it, a Muslim may not partake of fermented grape or grain. But there are some alcohols not from either of those.

Mead - Honey
Vodka - Potatoes
Tequila - Agave

How are those viewed? Does a Muslim who takes advantage of this loophole living in sin? Is it really so wrong to use alcohol in moderation?

What advantage we can get from drinking alcohols ?
How can i drink in moderation ? 20ml per day
what if i wished to make it 100ml in the other day.......Smokers won't count how much they did smoke.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Alcohol has plenty of health benefits. Wine is demonstrably good for the heart and brain. Whiskey used to be used for pain relief, controlling a fever, and other medicinal purposes.

 

[F0uad]

In this context, isn't tobacco considered an intoxicant? I know some Muslims also refrain from smoking tobacco. So how is tobacco justified while alcohol is not?

Tobacco is also forbidden however 1434years ago people did not smoke that often? .

The idea goes as following: Our bodies and souls are created by god therefore we should cherish our bodies and souls. Just a quick reply on the heaven part: In heaven Alcohol or anything bad (on this earth) will not influence us there since we wouldn't have a physical body.

 

[F0uad]

Alcohol has plenty of health benefits. Wine is demonstrably good for the heart and brain. Whiskey used to be used for pain relief, controlling a fever, and other medicinal purposes.

Alcohol in general is bad for the liver any Alcohol.

There are plenty research about wine that it increases the change of Oral-Cancer.
Whiskey is not used for Pain relief, it doesn't matter how much Whiskey you drink you still will feel pain its mostly used to stop infections however this has nothing to do with drinking it.

Alcohol is like a drugs when you have a little you want more and more. Just look what is happening in Australia at the time.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Not everyone. Some people do know how to drink in moderation

 

[F0uad]

Not everyone. Some people do know how to drink in moderation

Like i said even moderation is forbidden and is still bad to the liver. Also some people can become drunk much easier.

 

[FearGod]

Alcohol has plenty of health benefits. Wine is demonstrably good for the heart and brain. Whiskey used to be used for pain relief, controlling a fever, and other medicinal purposes.

But harms are much much more than it's benifits and we can find many resources on the net which explain how bad is alcohol to our bodies.




Alcohol is responsible for:

• 30% of road accidents
• 44% of fire injuries
• 34% of falls and drownings
• 16% of child abuse cases
• 12% of suicides
• 10% of industrial accidents

• heart damage
• high blood pressure and stroke
• liver disease
• cancers of the digestive system
• other digestive system disorders (eg stomach ulcers)
• sexual impotence and reduced fertility
• increasing risk of breast cancer
• sleeping difficulties
• brain damage with mood and personality changes
• concentration and memory problems
• nutrition-related conditions
• risks to unborn babies.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Maybe forbidden for you, which I respect, but not for me

 

[Gharib]

In this context, isn't tobacco considered an intoxicant? I know some Muslims also refrain from smoking tobacco. So how is tobacco justified while alcohol is not?

The Qur'an and Hadith do not mention tobacco in their text directly, however, tobacco does fall into the category of being harmful. Since it is harmful it is forbidden. The ruling is derived from the consensus of the scholars which is based on the Qur'an and Hadith.

There is a general rule in Islam, if there is harm from something then it is unlawful.