Published and distributed by Jamiah Khatamun Nabiyeen

Alcohol the Root of All Evil

By Mufti Saiful Islam

Islam and the Prohibition of Alcohol Islam values the moral and spiritual health of the people as well as their physical wellbeing. This is why Islam considers anything which interferes with the normal working of the mind and senses or clouds or perception as HARMFUL. It is because of this and several other reasons that Islam has totally prohibited substances like alcohol and all other intoxicants (drugs etc) which can destroy the clarity of mind. Unfortunately many Muslims today do not value their moral, spiritual or physical well being as they have turned to alcohol, drugs and other intoxicants which Islam has clearly prohibited. How the Muslim Ummah has morally declined. Many shops and restaurants owned by Muslims are clearly breaking the laws of Allah Taala and are selling alcohol. Due to greed we have drifted so far from Islam that we have started to buy pubs and kill our own people by supplying them with drugs. Allah Taala says in the Quraan regarding alcohol and all other intoxicants. (1) They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say in them there is great sin, and some profit for mankind, but the sin is greater than the profit. (2:219) (2) O you who believe. Approach not prayers, with a mind befogged, until you can understand all that you say (4:43) (3) O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satans handiwork. Avoid such (abomination) that you may prosper (5:90) (4) Shaytaans plan is to show enmity and hatred amongst you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you not then give up? (5:91) Look at what the holy prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said regarding alcohol (which includes all intoxicants like drugs). He has said that it is 1

Published and distributed by Jamiah Khatamun Nabiyeen Ummul Khabaaith The fountain head of evil Ummul Fawaahish The origin to all sorts of atrocities Akbarul Kabaair The most terrible of major sins Rasu Kulli Khateea The head of all errors and lapses Miftahu Kulli Sharr The key of all evils These Quraaanic verses and Ahadeeth clearly forbid the use of alcohol for Muslims. Consider and reflect over these verses and ask yourself if you are abiding and complying with them. If you are, then be thankful to Allah Taala for giving you the ability to refrain from these sins. If you are affected by these evils which are not only harmful spiritually, but also physically and mentally then repent now and change your ways before it is too late. A few acts to be considered by the one who partakes in the use of alcohol are given below. 1) His Imaan is taken out whilst he is committing that sin. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: When someone commits Zina (adultery) or drinks Khamr (wine), Allah Taala removes his faith from him just as a person takes of his shirt from over his head (Mustadrak) 2) None of his good deeds are accepted. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: There are three kinds of people whose prayers are not accepted and whose good deeds are not raised into the Heavens, (the third one mentioned in this Hadeeth is a drunk person until he becomes sober). (Ibn Hibaan) 3) He is cursed by Allah Taala. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: Truly Allah Taala has cursed Khamr (wine) and he has cursed the one who produces it; the one for whom it is produced; the one who drinks it; the one who serves it; the one who carries it; the one for whom it is carried; the one who sells it; the one who earns from the sale of it; the one who buys it and the one for whom it is bought. (Tirmidhi) 4) The fragrance of jannah (Paradise) will not reach him. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: The fragrance of jannah reaches to a distance of a five hundred year journey, but it will not reach a person who is disrespectful to his parents, a person who recounts his favours to others in public, a person addicted to Khamr (wine), or an idolater. (Tabraani) 5) He will not enter Jannah (Paradise). The Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: An alcoholic, a believer in magic and one who breaks of his ties of relationship will not enter jannah (Paradise). (Ibn Hibaan) 2

Published and distributed by Jamiah Khatamun Nabiyeen 6) He will be humiliated on the Day of Resurrection. In part of a Hadeeth it is related that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: Truly the drinker of wine will come on the Day of Resurrection with his face blackened, his tongue hanging out to his chest and his saliva dripping and everyone who sees him will know he was a drinker. (Al - Kabaair) 7) He will receive severe punishment in the Fire of Hell. It is related that the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: To one who drinks Khamr (wine) in this world, Allah Taala will give him the venom of snakes to drink. The venom will be so strong that the flesh of his face will fall off into the pot before he drinks it, and after drinking it, his flesh and skin will rot, to the annoyance of the inhabitants of the fire. His sin of drinking will be shared by the one who produced it, the one for whom it was produced, the one who carried it, the one for whom it was carried and the one who earns from the sale of it. Allah Taala will not accept from these their prayers, their fasting and their Hajj, unless the repent. If they die before repentance, it becomes incumbent upon Allah Taala to give them to drink from Hells molten brass, a sip for each sip they took in this world. (Az- Zawaajir) These traditions should be sufficient to display the corruption and evils of alcohol. Unfortunately in this advanced age, as is generally the case, one may be more influenced by medical and scientific research in helping one make up ones mind. So please read on. (a) Intellectual The most precious gift of Allah Taala to mankind is the intellect. It is because of this faculty that man is called the best of creation. It is wine which covers the intellect and removes its ability to differentiate between right and wrong. (b) Physical Research on the effects of alcohol on the human body has established that even small quantities of liquor are harmful. With every sip of the alcohol drink there is a loss of a brain cell which is irreparable. Besides injury to the brain it does great harm to the liver, kidneys, lungs and stomach; in short all the organs of the body. It causes gastric irritation and vomiting and it is also possible that an overdose of alcohol may cause a coma (critical condition which can cause death). (c) Psychological Drunk people are prone to losing their sense of shame, modesty. Often they do something in their state that will be a cause of regret when they are sober. Drinking extinguishes noble qualities of mercy, sympathy and generosity and instead creates hatred, enmity and jealousy. (d) Social Alcohol is a leading factor in 68% of manslaughters, 62% of assaults, 54% of murders and attempted murders, 48% of robberies and 44% of burglaries as well as vandalism. Two thirds of child abuse cases are alcohol related as are 72% of rape cases. Alcohol is the leading cause of death for 16 year olds. 3

Published and distributed by Jamiah Khatamun Nabiyeen I hope this will suffice any Muslim who is addicted to any kind of intoxicant. May Allah Taala grant us the strength to abstain from these evils.

Ameen!
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