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The reasons why Muslims do not consume alcohol based on Islamic teachings. Alcohol is considered haraam (forbidden) and najis (impure) in Islam, and its consumption is believed to cloud judgment, lead to unlawful behavior, and interfere with prayer. The document also discusses the historical context of alcohol use in Arabia before Islam and the various verses in the Qur'an that address the issue.
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Alcohol in Islam (^) Linguistically, khamr (ر ر ر) Arabic for “wine”, is alcohol derived from grapes. This is what is prohibited by specific texts of the Quran (see 5:90). Therefore alcohol is categorically unlawful ( haraam ) and considered impure ( najis ). Consuming any amount is unlawful, even if it doesn’t create any drunken effects. (^) The Prophet Muhammad of Islam said, “Intoxicants are from these two trees,” while pointing to grapevines and date-palms. Alcohol derived from dates or raisins is also prohibited, again regardless of the amount consumed, as explained on Islamic site Seekers Guidance. (^) At first, a general warning was given to forbid Muslims from attending prayers while in a drunken state (Quran, 4:43). Then a later verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad which said that while specifically alcohol had some medicinal benefits, the negative effects of it outweighed the good (Quran, 2:219). (^) Finally, “intoxicants and gambling” were called “abominations of Satan’s handiwork,” which warned people with self-consciousness to not turn away from God and forget about prayer, and Muslims were ordered to abstain (Quran, 5:90-91). (^) The Prophet Muhammad also instructed his companions to avoid any intoxicating substances (paraphrased), “if it intoxicates in a large amount, it is forbidden even in a small amount.” For this reason, most observant Muslims avoid alcohol in any form, even small amounts that are sometimes used in cooking.
(^) 3. Liquor clouds the intellect. Khamr also describes how alcohol consumption makes it difficult to differentiate between right and wrong. Muslim faith is founded on the intellect, rational thought and good judgement. Anything that could jeopardise this behaviour is forbidden, and another reason why Muslims don’t drink. (^) 4. It gives the wrong message to children. Sitting in a restaurant where alcohol is served is not the same as drinking it. This is why Islamic law has the flexibility to say if someone needs to sit in such a restaurant for a work meeting or because no other diners are available, he/she can, but should not sit at a table where alcohol is served. On that note, fins local halal restaurants with Zabiha.com’s world halal guide. (^) Bars and environments where alcohol is served could lead to drinking and in the presence of children, it could teach them to explore drinking. Mature Muslim adults are role models and carry a message that you don’t have to drink to have a good time, to work or to socialise. (^) Classical and contemporary Islamic scholars have helped explain why an alcohol zone can be as bad as drinking itself, (^) “The difference between [prohibitions in environment] and [prohibitions related to the end goals] is that while both are forbidden, the former is considered lesser in weight because it is related to causes, whereas the latter is related to an actual forbidden act. Thus, sitting at the table, although not the same as drinking, could lead to it whereas drinking in itself is absolutely forbidden.” – Dr. Abdullah bin Bayyah (Suhaibwebb.com)
Alternative Attitudes Though many Muslims abstain from alcohol, others believe drinking is a personal decision between themselves and Allah. Some wealthy Muslims in countries like Pakistan drink to show their moneyed, cultured status, according to The Economist, and some Islamic scholars even believe it's acceptable to drink alcohol made from something other than dates and grapes. Nonetheless, a study conducted by the Pew Forum showed a majority of Muslims believe drinking is "morally wrong," and it's banned in many Islamic countries, like Saudi Arabia.