What Does the Quran Say About Drinking Alcohol?

Islamic law, Shari'ah, looks to the Qur'an as its source for every prescriptive and proscriptive guidance for Muslims. In fact, the Qur'an is crystal clear about intoxicants. Intoxicants are not allowed for specific spiritual reasons. In this life, alcohol is the source of so many individual and social ills and sinful behavior. Intoxicants are equal to gambling and are troublesome and dangerous for Muslim believers to consume. Indeed, to consume intoxicants is one of the worst sins that Muslims can commit.

Significance

The Qur'an uses the strongest terms and warnings in reference to imbibing intoxicants. Many Surahs (passages in the Qur'an) refer to the woes associated with intoxicants and wine. "Khamr," Arabic derived from a term meaning "veil" or "cover," is prohibited by Allah. According to the Qur'an, intoxicants veil reality and veil God from the one who consumes them. When one becomes addicted to intoxicants in this life, one is prohibited from enjoying wine in Paradise. The use of alcohol is considered to be a grave sin, accompanied by dire warnings in the Qur'an. Not only is drinking alcohol prohibited, but it is against Shari'ah to buy or sell grapes for the purpose of making wine and all form of commerce that involve wine are outlawed. Islam differs from Christianity and Judaism in its prohibition against alcohol.

Function

The purpose of Qur'anic warnings about intoxicants is to emphasize to Muslims that purity of mind is essential to make spiritual progress and to ensure a person's continued closeness with Allah. In the strongest language, the Qur'an proclaims that intoxicants are abominations and is the work of Satan. The Qur'an establishes distinction between things that are outlawed to Muslims in this life and the nature of those things in Paradise. For example, alcohol, which creates such chaos in the mind in this life, flows freely in Paradise and causes no problems. The one caveat is that those who are addicted on Earth will be denied in Paradise. As with every aspect of life, the Qur'an teaches Muslims how to progress toward the Kingdom of God with as little impediment as possible.

Effects

The effects of alcohol are considered so severe in the Qur'an that not only are many Surahs dedicated to warnings and prohibitions, but Muslims believe that Islam can cure persons who are addicted to prohibited substances, to those products that draw a veil between people and Allah and His laws. In this aspect, Islam is committed to offering rehabilitation to Muslims who suffer from addiction. It is a purpose of every Muslim to join in the greater Islamic community and help fellow Muslims to find release from what hampers them from attaining closeness with God.

Misconceptions

There is debate about what sometimes is called a contradiction in the Qur'an about intoxicants and wine. Although the Qur'an prohibits the use of alcohol and other intoxicants in this life, the holy book also describes rivers of wine that flow through Paradise in the next life. There is argument that this must be non-alcoholic wine. But, it is generally agreed, based on passages for the Qur'an, that it is wine, but in Paradise, wine does not cause intoxication. Therefore, it can be surmised that it is not alcohol that is the problem. It is alcohol's effect on the mind.

Expert Insight

It is important for non-Muslims, but especially for Muslims, to understand that although alcohol and other intoxicants are prohibited and to consume these constitutes the gravest sin, Islam encourages Muslims to find treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. Treatment counselors do not need to be Muslims, but must respect Islamic laws and understand the reasons that sobriety is important to Muslims. The global Muslim community supports every effort that its brothers and sisters take to draw back the veil of intoxication. That said, Muslims believe that submission to Allah's will in itself brings healing from addiction. Thus, if a Muslim follows the Five Pillars of Islam and Shari'ah (Islamic law), he can find freedom from the bonds of addiction to intoxicants.

Resources

• The Quranic Teaching on Wine and Strong Drink
• Questions Commonly Asked by Non-Muslims - VI : Prohibition of Alcohol
• Islamicity: Qur'an Search Intoxicants