Intoxicant refers to any type of beverage that will cause its consumer to become intoxicated and loses his intellectual ability in making proper judgment. When the intellect or mind can no longer function to control one’s actions and movements, then such person will become vulnerable to evil and negative behavior. Such is the reason why intoxicant is deemed as the mother of all evils. Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “O you who have believed, 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-Maa’idah 5:90)
This reality is very difficult to be comprehended by humans. The following are several facts that clearly indicate how intoxicants actually lead to evil:
i. Researchers have been conducted in the United States, Canada, and South Africa to study the relationship between the culture of drinking alcohol and domestic violence. The findings indicated that there is significant correlation between alcohol addiction by the husband or wife that results in domestic violence upon the spouse
ii. Statistical research that was done in the United States have found that cases of driving under the influence of alcohol have contributed to 13,846 fatal accidents, which corresponds to 37% of the 37,261 total cases.
iii. Numerous organizations have been established worldwide advocating against alcohol consumption across the globe such as Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD), Latvian Women’s Anti-Alcohol Society, and many more.
iv. History has shown that the United States of America, a liberal country, has actually banned the sale, manufacture, storage, and transportation of alcohol due to its harm. This was implemented through an amendment in the U.S. Constitution stemming from the National Prohibition Act (Volstead Act) passed in 1919. Unfortunately, in 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt endorsed the repeal of the prohibition that lifted the ban and allows for the manufacture and sale of alcohol.
For the sake of safeguarding the intellect and the maslahah (well-being or public interest) of the society, Islam strictly forbids consuming intoxicants with the threat of severe punishments. First, the one convicted for consuming intoxicant is to be flogged with 40 lashes. Second, the ibaadah of the one consuming intoxicant will not be accepted by Allah. Third, those consuming intoxicant will not taste intoxicants in Paradise, which will taste much better and does not intoxicate.
Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr radiyAllaahu‘anhuma that Rasulullah ﷺ said:
“Whoever drinks alcohol, his prayers will not be accepted for forty days. But if the person repents Allah forgives him. If he returns to drinking, then Allah will undoubtedly make him/her drink from the river of Khabaal.” The Prophet ﷺ was asked: “And what is the river of Khabaal?” He ﷺ replied: “The pus from the inhabitants of Hell.” (Ahmad: saheeh)
In another narration by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar radiyAllaahu‘anhuma, Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Whoever drinks wine in this world and does not repent from that, he will be deprived of it in the Hereafter.” (al-Bukhaari and Muslim)
In addition to all these, the prohibition of consuming intoxicant is not only limited to its consumer. Those that are involved in the preparation of intoxicants are also sinful and cursed by Allah. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr radiyAllaahu‘anhuma reported that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Allah has cursed alcohol, the one who drinks it, the one who pours it, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one who squeezes it (squeezes the grapes, etc), the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who carries it, and the one to whom it is carried.” (Abu Dawood and Ahmad: saheeh)
By comprehending the severity of the sins relating to intoxicants, then it behoove us to strictly refrain ourselves from consuming alcohol, selling alcohol, pouring alcohol, working in alcohol brewery, transporting them or investing in alcohol companies. All these will implicate us with the major sin of intoxicants.
There is a misconception within our society with regard to intoxicants. Some actually deem intoxicant as prestigious beverage that symbolizes opulence. They may have been infiltrated by the Western culture that glorifies intoxicants. There are countless movies that portray scenes of alcohol consumption as a normal practice. In addition, there are certain sports that would celebrate its champion(s) by splashing and showering them with intoxicants. There are those that strongly believe in intoxicants as a very profitable source of income. All these are truly devil’s deception in misleading and corrupting mankind so that they will remain in ignorance. Therefore, we must realize that there are many other source of livelihood that are halaal which have been provided by Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala. While the income stemming from selling intoxicants, though profitable, will be prevented from having barakah in such effort. On the contrary, those abandoning matters that are prohibited by Allah are promised with provision and the best way out for all problems.
Hence, we must expose the ill effects of intoxicants that not only threatens the well-being of our society but also severely harms the physical and mental health of its consumer. Consuming intoxicants periodically and continuously will expose its consumer to various diseases such as gastritis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, oral cancer, and neurological diseases such as seizures and numbness. Alcoholics will lose their self-esteem, become disorganized, and willingly behave against the norm of the society. Its social effect includes falling unconscious, losing the ability for sound judgment, easily irritated, and extremely violent to their surroundings, especially to family members. Therefore, Islam forbids intoxicants and anything that intoxicates. It does not matter if it’s called wine, whiskey, beer and others. Even if a small amount is consumed, it is still haraam, as mentioned by Rasulullah ﷺ In the hadeeth of Jaabir bin ‘Abdillaah radiyAllaahu‘anhuma, Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Whatever causes intoxication in large amounts, a small amount of it is (also) unlawful.” (at-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, ibn Maajah, an-Nasaa’i, Ahmad: hasan). This means that even if a person claims to have the ability to “control” his consumption of intoxicant and avoid from getting intoxicated, he is still sinful for committing a major sin and can be punished just like the intoxicated person. This is because intoxication leads to all kinds of wickedness, whether disobedience in private or corruption within the society.
Furthermore, intoxication will cause humans to neglect the amaanah and transgress against Allah’s Laws. Allah says in Qur’an, “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 not desist?” (al-Maa’idah 5:91).