8 Reasons Why is Alcohol haram in Islam
According to Islamic beliefs, alcohol consumption is considered haram. The prohibition on alcohol is not only limited to its consumption but also extends to its production, sale, and distribution.
Why is Alcohol haram in Islam
Intoxication clouds one’s judgment and impairs their ability to make sound decisions. It is believed that when a person is intoxicated, they are more likely to engage in sinful behavior and act impulsively. This can lead to harm not only to oneself but also to others around them.
The Islamic perspective on intoxication emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear mind and being responsible for one’s actions. Islam encourages individuals to seek pleasure and enjoyment in lawful ways that do not harm themselves or others.
Why drinking is haram in Islam?
Alcohol is Prohibited in Islam.Alcohol is Intoxicating and It robs a Person off his Sense.A Drunk Person cannot offer a Prayer and it makes a Person Impure.Drinking alcohol can lead to a loss of self-control and can cause people to engage in sinful behavior. This can include anything from engaging in immoral acts to neglecting one’s religious duties.
Wine is the key to every evil. Wine numbs the senses. The alcoholic commits all kinds of sin without compunction. This is why wine is called umm ul Khabaith (the mother of all evils).Furthermore, alcohol consumption is seen as a form of disobedience to God’s commands. Muslims believe that God has forbidden alcohol for their own benefit, and that disobeying this command is a sign of ingratitude towards God.
From a moral perspective, alcohol consumption is seen as a negative influence on society. It is believed that alcohol can lead to social problems such as crime, violence, and family breakdowns. Additionally, it is seen as a waste of resources that could be better used to help those in need.
Let us read why is Alcohol haram in Islam in detail :Pls note that Using alcohol in ways other than drinking may be permitted if small amounts are used
1. Does the Quran say alcohol is haram?
Alcohol is Prohibited in the Qur’an
The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse:
“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an Abomination – of Satan’s handiwork; eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.” [Al-Qur’an 5:90]
2. Alcohol is Prohibited even in the Bible .
The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses:
- a. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” [Proverbs 20:1]
- b. “And be not drunk with wine.” [Ephesians 5:18]
3.An Alcoholic loses his Senses.
Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory centre The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory centre prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For instance a person does not normally use abusive language while addressing his parents or elders. If he has to answer the call of nature, his inhibitory centre will prevent him from doing so in public.
Therefore he uses the toilet. When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited. That is precisely the reason that an inebriated person is often found to be indulging in behaviour that is completely uncharacteristic of him. For instance the intoxicated person is found to use abusive and foul language and does not realize his mistake even if he is addressing his parents. Many even urinate in their clothes. Neither do they talk nor walk properly. They even misbehave.
4.Alcohol Addict Commit More Crime
Cases of adultery, rape, incest and AIDS are found more among alcoholics According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) in the year 1996 alone everyday on an average 2,713 rapes took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists, were intoxicated while committing the crime.
The same is true in cases of molestation. According to statistics, 8% of Americans commit incest i.e. one in every twelve to thirteen persons in America is involved in incest. Almost all the cases of incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved. One of the major factors associated with the spread of AIDS, the most dreaded disease, is alcoholism.
5. Do you think Social Drinker can have an Excuse?
Every alcoholic was initially a social drinker Many may argue in favour of liquor by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’. They claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control and so never get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic started as a social drinker. Not a single alcoholic or drunkard initially starts drinking with the intention of becoming an alcoholic or a drunkard. No social drinker can say that I have been having alcohol for several years and that I have so much selfcontrol that I have never been intoxicated even a single time.
6.Alcohol can cause a Person to do an Error which can remain all his Life
If a person is intoxicated just once and commits something shameful, it will remain with him for a lifetime. Suppose a ‘social drinker’ loses his self-control just once. In a state of intoxication he commits rape or incest. Even if the act is later regretted, a normal human being is likely to carry the guilt throughout his life. Both the perpetrator and the victim are irreparably and irreversibly damaged.
7. Hadith on Alcohol Which Says that Alcohol is prohibited
The Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
a. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3371. “Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the most shameful of evils.”
b. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3392 “Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity, is prohibited even in a small quantity.” Thus there is no excuse for a nip or a tot. c. Not only those who drink alcohol are cursed but also those who deal with them directly or indirectly are cursed by Allah.
According to Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3380. It was reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “God’s curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol. The one who distills it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one whom serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it, the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else.”
8. Diseases associated with alcoholism.
There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go into the details of all the ill-effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known.
Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses:
- 1. Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.
- 2. Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.
- 3. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol consumption.
- 4. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.
- 5. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol intake.
- 6. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes caused by alcohol consumption.
- 7. Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events, confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol intake.
- 8. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.
- 9. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if treated in well equipped centres.
- 10. Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.
- 11. Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency, however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia, Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges.
- 12. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in alcoholics.
- 13. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol.
- 14. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake.
- 15. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.
- 16. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death.
- 17. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention. Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the medical profession.
- 18. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.
- 19. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics.
9. Is Alcoholism a ‘disease’?
Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcoholics and call alcoholism a disease rather than an addiction. The Islamic Research Foundation has published a pamphlet that says: If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease that: – Is sold in bottles – Is advertised in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television – Has licensed outlets to spread it – Produces revenue for the government – Brings violent deaths on the highways – Destroys family life and increases crime – Has no germs or viral cause
ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDIWORK
Allah (swt) in His Infinite Wisdom has warned us against this snare of Satan. Islam is called the “Deen-ul-Fitrah” or the natural religion of Man. All its injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a deviation from this natural state, for the individual as well as for society. It degrades man to a level below that of the beasts he claims to be superior to. Hence the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islam.
The Above article – “8 reason Why is Alcohol haram in Islam” is transcribed Lecture of Dr Zakir Naik,With a little more research and Modifications.
Alternatives to Alcohol in Islamic Culture and Practice
Alcohol consumption can also have negative effects on those around the drinker, such as family members and friends. It can lead to domestic violence, accidents, and other harmful incidents that can affect the well-being of others.
In Islam, the focus is on promoting a healthy lifestyle and avoiding anything that can harm oneself or others. Therefore, abstaining from alcohol is seen as a way to protect one’s physical and mental health and maintain a balanced and fulfilling life.
There are many alternatives to alcohol that can be enjoyed without the negative consequences associated with its consumption. One popular alternative is non-alcoholic beverages such as fruit juices, smoothies, and herbal teas. These drinks not only provide hydration but also offer various health benefits.
Read How Music is a Satan’s Handiwork
You May also want to get Inspired with a Real story of an Alcoholic who was guided by a Single Hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) and later on he became an Imam.Yes,He is the Teacher of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim. Read his story Here:
The Teacher of Imam Bukhari and Muslim who was an Alcoholic.
