Why alcohol is absolutely prohibited in Islam?

Question

So here's the ultimate question, since it seems to be such a big priority in the Muslim world:

Why is alcohol haraam in Islam?
Besides the fact that it's stated in the Quran that wine is haraam, and since we're in the spirit of questioning things here, what is the logical reason for alcohol to be haraam?

A few of the reasons given by people are:

"It makes one lose control" Not entirely true. Alcohol does not make you lose control, an excess of alcohol does. Anger also makes one lose control, yet anger is not illegal in most Muslim countries. Eating too much paracetemol can make one lose control. Lust makes one lose control. Driving fast does too. So why does alcohol get the bad rep?

"Alcohol is hazardous to your health" Again, not entirely true. Yes, an excess of alcohol can lead to many harmful conditions, but a glass of wine a day is commonly believed to be beneficial to your body, due to its rich content of antioxidants. People in many European countries drink a lot more alcohol than people in many Muslim countries do, yet they live longer and healthier lives. But even if we were to say that alcohol is bad for you, why isn't beef haraam? Or ghee? Or fat?

"It alters the state of your mind" So do tobacco, caffeine, and antidepressants, yet these aren't haraam (at least in most circles). The world's most common drug is tea. The Ismaili Hasashin were a pretty important sect in Islam which allowed their soldiers to get high on hashish before a mission (that's where the word "assassin" comes from). Dervish dancers and malangs alter their state of mind by dancing in a frenzy.

Why do people who drink get judged more than people who steal? What exactly is the reason for alcohol to be haraam; what does it solve?

Answer 1

Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute testimony to the destructive power of alcohol.


1. Prohibition of alcohol 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. Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible

The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses:

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
[Proverbs 20:1]

"And be not drunk with wine."
[Ephesians 5:18]


3. 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. 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. 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 self-control that I have never been intoxicated even a single time.


6. 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. Alcohol is prohibited in the Hadith
The Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

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."

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.

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:

Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.

Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.

Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol consumption.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.

Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol intake.

Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes caused by alcohol consumption.

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.

Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.

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.

Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.

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.

Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in alcoholics.

The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol.

Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake.

Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.

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.

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.

Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.

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. Alcoholism is 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.

Answer 2

Well, it solves many problems, and while you may have somewhat valid points, alot of what you say is based on opinion rather than fact.

-Why is alcohol haram? Well we'll get into the finer details, but for now, God has commanded us that if a barrel of it would make you drunk, then you shouldn't have a sip, and that a drunk is not considered a believer until he is sober again. Above everything else, it's a commandment of God, and why disobey such a simple commandment?

- Does alcohol make one lose control? Well let's take a look at the effects of alcohol on mobility. Your speech becomes slurred, a drunk (or even someone with a buzz) will tell you the room is spinning, you can't walk straight, you lose your balance, some people black out or pass out, you can't focus. Does lust do that? Fast driving? The purpose of paracetamol is for medicinal reasons, not to be used casually to relax and have a good time. Sure, not everyone who drinks a beer or two will feel these effects, but there are some who cannot handle one beer without experiencing these things. It acts more severely in some than in others, so why risk it?

-Alcohol is not hazardous to your health? Alcohol is a nervous system suppressant (which is the cause of the examples I gave above), not to mention what can result from lowering your inhibitions (i.e. waking up next to the person rumored to have an STD or two for one example). Alcohol is also a carcinogenic, which means it promotes cancer. Then there is heart disease, liver effects, vomiting, etc. It works its way into almost every type of cell in the body, including brain cells, so you can even think of it as an invader. If moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to benefit liver functions, why risk everything else? Why not instead use a more beneficial liver cleanser (organic for example) that has no harmful effects? Or is that just an excuse that people tell themselves so they don't feel as guilty?

-Altering the state of the mind? Well we all know it does that. Caffeine is the exact opposite of alcohol, it is a stimulant, not a suppressant. It is an erogenic, which is something that increases the capacity of mental and physical labor. This is why many people drink it in the morning. Even caffeine has it's disadvantages, but it doesn't alter the state of the mind. Tobacco (considered haram by many many Muslims) is harmful to the self and to everyone around you. While it isn't directly stated in the Quran, most Muslims understand WHY alcohol and other intoxicants are forbidden and are able to judge properly whether or not smoking also falls into that category. Hashish is just as forbidden as alcohol. Dervishes spin in meditation, the only effects to the body that whirling has is dizziness. Like when we were kids and would spin around till we got dizzy and fell over, lol.

And finally, considering that the punishment for stealing is cutting off the hand doesn't exactly support your idea that those who drink get judged more than those who steal, lol! Though theives are never quite as obvious as a drunk, so that might be the reason you think that.

So all in all I'd have to say that when weighing the pros and cons of drinking alcohol and the pros and cons of abstaining from alcohol, be it my judgement but abstention seems like a better idea to me. Besides, people don't drink alcohol to clean out their liver, they drink alcohol to mask their troubles (which often amplifies them and leads to depression), to gain courage to do this dumb trick or sleep with that, well, see last example, and many do it because it makes them look cool around their friends (like smoking). Why do people avoid alcohol? They don't want to lose control of bodily functions, they want to keep a clear mind, they don't want to suffer from any of the adverse side effects, and they really don't care if it means drinking a Sprite while everyone else is having Heinekens because they feel secure with themselves.

Answer 3

-at first God told muslims to not come to prayers while being drunk so you can be aware of the things you are saying:

[43] O you who believe! Approach not As-Salât (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter......

- but people were confuesed did God forbid drinking alcohol or no? so God send his words and said that this alcohole is an invention from Satan so stay away from it:

[90] O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansâb, and Al-Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitân's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.
Quran 5:90

- then God explained why it's forbidean, because Satan wants to excite enmity and hatred between you, and make you forget about Allah:

[91] Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?
Quran 5:91

Answer 4

what you mentioned about "Hasashin" which called Hashashin, as a muslim is wrong!, they are a radical group who use their name of islam toTo achieve their own goals, without following the real Islam rules.
They are a group of muslim shia who want to kill any king sunni, for example, Salah al-Din. If you don't know anything about Islam, there are two parts: Shia and Sunni. the Shia wanted to kill all the Sunnis until now, so the Assassins are groups of Shia (bad people like Bashar Alasad who killing the Sunni in Syria and Iran, Iraq who also still killing Sunni ) and just kill the kings or the leader. They don't kill the armies or guards. It's exactly like the Game Assassin's Creed, but they making Salaat al-Din tp be just a businessman, but history shows Salah al-Din is a hero.

Thus, if you want to talk about islam, talk only about Sunni muslim who is really represent that great religion that is greater than 75% of the world's Muslims are Sunni.

Answer 5

Oh, TONNNNNS of reasons :D! God cares about our health, so He warns us to keep away from things that're harmful to us (but I've explained the logic behind this law, so I hope you'll read further). Just let me make some other points first.
-- Who told you that tobacco is permitted in Islam? Such drugs are also forbidden...including smoking, I mean. Yeah, sure, some Muslims still smoke and all, but that doesn't make it permitted by God.
-- "Ghee" (oil), fat, beaf, and such do NOT cause harms the way alcohol does. Research it. And besides, these things are NEEDS! Nevertheless, Muslims are NOT permitted to eat too much ghee/fats/oils/meats, etc. Too much of these is always a bad thing, but some of it is the human body's need. Alcohol is not a need, however; a human can live a normal, healthy, long life without drinking alcohol.
-- Eating too much is NOT allowed in Islam either; we're told to eat enough so we can survive on it, NOT to much and NOT too little. (This means going on a diet is also forbidden.)
-- ANGER is VERY much disliked by God. Don't you know that we humans CAN control our anger? God advised us to be patient during ALL times, especially anger since anger can make us do crazy things. He advised us that when we get angry anyway, we should drink water to sooth the anger (it works, of course; try it some time), sit down while angry, and if sitting down doesn't work, then LIE down so at least you don't cause harm to others or throw things around or something (many idiots do this during anger).
-- Driving fast is, firstly, against the law, right? I mean, driving faster than the speed limit. And God has told us to ALWAYS obey federal/state/local laws AS LONG as it doesn't break any Islamic laws (i.e., if the government were to say something silly like Muslims are not allowed to go to the Mosque, then obviously we can break that law. But if it says don't drive too fast or follow other road laws, then we MUST obey them or will be punished by God if we don't).
Hence, because driving too fast causes lots of dangers, Muslims are NOT allowed to drive too fast.
-- TEA has NO harms from what I've researched, buddy. What do you mean? Even if so, tea has more BENEFITS than harms; God doesn't permit alcohol (or anything similar) because it has more HARMS than it has benefits.
-- Stealing, of COURSE, is out of the question as well, since it's forbidden as well.
Hmm... that being said, here's why ALCHOL is not allowed.
1. Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory center:
The human beings possess an inhibitory center 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.
2. 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.
About social drinking and alcohol, here:
3. 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 self-control that I have never been intoxicated even a single time.
4. 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.

Oh, and the Bible, too, prohibits alcohol. Here: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." [Proverbs 20:1]
And: "And be not drunk with wine."[Ephesians 5:18]

Yeah, that's why. It has more disadvantages than advantages. Islam is a logical religion with guidelines that make purely perfect sense (since they're set by God, our Creator who made us and knows everything about us); just think about the laws concerning Islam, and you'll understand the logic behind each one.
Peace and blessings be upon you!

Answer 6

Good prognosis,but pal ya should pay heed to the fine interplay of nuances!
Alcohol is haraam cuz:

It IS hazardous to your health:Here's why,yes many scientific circles did propound that 500 ml of red wine everyday is good for yr heart but a latest Aussie Med journal came up with a study,for a short term basis,yes red wine may be good,but on a long term basis it starts accumulating in yr blood cells,reducing O2 tension and slowly eats away yr body tissues,most vulnerable being the organ actively involved in metabolism,the liver,medically termed as cirrhosis.
Bottomline: Alcohol bio-accumulates,with adverse chronic negative effects later on overtaking supposedly good effects.

It DOES alter yr cortical functions:Here's why,
The Amygdala,part of brain that responds and acts under crisis,anger etc is overstimulated even with a meagre 7 ml of alcohol.You can NEVER say that today will be yr last glass of alcohol,you are hooked right from the moment of yr first dose,the Amygdala is to blame for this.It produces 'peudoendomorphins' chemicals that trigger a transient 'feel-happy' effect,hence you are hooked.Research proves that heavy addicts ,almost always turned out to be social miscreants like serial killers,sadists etc.
Bottomline: Alcohol over stimulates the Amygdala,turning and modifying yr once pleasant personality to one which now relishes violence,sadist acts etc.Thats why people commit heinous crimes under influence of alcohol.

It DOES make ya loose yrself: Here's why,
The peudoendomorphins so produced generate a temporary happy' feelin,masking whatever pain you may be feelin, but after it all wanes away,after around 5 hrs after consumption,you feel more worse than before.Reality hits ya hard and ya need to have a reality check! You feel disgusted of yrself,of yr 'filthy' habit,yr family labels you a 'drunkard' etc...........the ignominy hits ya so hard that you start to hate yrself and think you are a BIG LOSER,a GONER ,there is no one WORSE than ya on face of the planet etc.....all this will almost always lead to suicide.
Bottomline: Alcohol is a silent killer that kills self,slowly cuts away yr healthy flesh and being ,its a whirlpool that makes you spiral out of control.


After all this,after everything that has been seen,observed and finally the doctrine put forth,I wanna ask ya:
Which culture/religion/society will advocate alcohol?

Thats what Islam stands up against,Alcohol eats you away and good ,lively people have lost their lives in its lethal path.Islam said its bad thousands of years ago,modern science is only realising this today.Thats why its haraam.Prohibition of alcohol is a preventive measure,to prevent an individuals imminent self destruction/immolation,think of it like a Vaccine.What will a vaccine do? Fight against itself and prevent a hyper reaction,thats what prohibition of alcohol does.

A chronic alcoholic will bodily/mortally harm others as well,unlike a robber who is after yr possessions alone.Which one will prove to be more lethal: one who has the potential to kill ya or other who is after yr treasures?

Except for being used as 1 ml concoction to relieve severe pain in an operating theatre( which is again ofcourse temporary,to make the patient feel no pain till anaesthesia takes over),
alcohol has NO OTHET BENEFIT,WHATSOEVER IT MAY SEEM LIKE!

Answer 7

I heard this story along time ago, that in Islam there was a Royalty (way back when). Had a party. Everyone got drunk and passed out, anyway , when the royalty awoke the next morning every one at the party was dead about 300 people, there was one person alive. They blamed it on the alcohol. I don't know how true this story is, I never did the research but I just remeber it being told to me.

Answer 8

how many steps was banned alcohol in islam

Answer 9

It's pretty simple really. Any substance that can cause an intoxicated effect, regardless of the quantity, is haram.

Answer 10

what you said is not true, go to any clinic and they will ask you do you drank alcohol or no? what dose this mean?