❖ Alcohol and its Ruling

Is alcohol forbidden (Haram)?

Does "avoidance" (Ijtinab) mean prohibition?

Does it reach the level of prohibition since it is described as a "sin" (Ithm)?

The Concept of Avoidance:

When entering a major city, you find a sign with two options:

First: If you continue straight, you will enter the city center.

Second: If you turn right, you will find a side road that allows you to avoid entering the city center.

You have the freedom of choice. If you take the side road, you will avoid many problems associated with entering the city center, such as traffic lights, congestion, police, speed bumps, etc.

However, this does not mean that entering the city center is dangerous or legally prohibited; but if you decide to enter, you must bear the responsibility.

From a Jurisprudential Perspective:

Avoidance (Ijtinab) is a different degree from prohibition (Tahrim). It is used for something blameworthy, and sometimes reaches the level of "Munkar" (evil/abomination), such as **"false testimony."** It also does not mean that alcohol is an absolutely commendable matter.

Allah informs us in the Quran: "If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance." [Al-Nisa: 31].

Is alcohol among the "major sins" we were forbidden from?

I do not believe so, according to the verses. Alcohol cannot be placed in the same category as consuming people's wealth unjustly. However, alcohol addiction and its misuse can lead a person toward immorality, potentially committing injustices far more heinous than false testimony while intoxicated.

Is alcohol a bad thing?

Generally, yes. If we look at societies where drinking is common, we find some people turning into raging beasts, others becoming poetic, and some recounting their entire scandalous history—even if that same morning, they were lecturing their team on ethics and self-control.

In those societies, we also find a minority who follow no specific doctrine or scripture, yet choose to avoid it for the sake of physical and mental health.

Therefore, I see the issue of alcohol as depending on the individual and their susceptibility to misusing it in the first place. I am not saying it is "Halal," but it is closer to "Haram." However, it cannot be placed in the same basket as Shirk (associating partners with God), killing a soul, consuming the wealth of orphans, theft, or worshipping idols.

I believe an alcohol consumer is accountable before God for the crimes they commit while drinking. If they get drunk and assault, kill, or steal, their intoxication does not excuse them in any way from divine punishment; thus, the matter is very serious.

Conversely, if someone drinks without getting drunk and remains aware of what they say, they face no issue in performing prayer.

The constraint here is: "O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying." [Al-Nisa: 43].

What does "intoxicated" (Sukara) mean, and what is its relation to alcohol?

"Sukara" refers to a state of unconsciousness and lack of awareness of what one is doing or saying. This could also be caused by physical fatigue due to work exhaustion.

An intoxicated person has confused thoughts and is unaware of their actions. Therefore, God commanded humans not to pray in this state until the "drunkenness" (unawareness) leaves them and their mind becomes clear.

Allah says: "And you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allah is severe." [Al-Hajj: 2].

In this verse, God clarifies that "Sukara" means a lack of perception and awareness due to the horror of the Hour. Thus, intoxication is not limited to alcohol; anything that takes away the mind is an intoxicant.

Regarding the view that alcohol is forbidden because it is among the "immoralities" (Fawahish), and God forbade immoralities: "Say, 'My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed.'" [Al-A'raf: 33].

We must first review the verses where God mentioned "Ithm" (sin) and compare them with verses where it appeared as a defined term ("The Sin").

Let's take an example:

1- "Why do the rabbis and religious scholars not forbid them from their sinful utterances and their consuming of unlawful profit? How wretched is what they have been practicing." [Al-Ma'idah: 63].

Here, the sin is "utterance" (speech) and has nothing to do with alcohol.

2- "O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin (Ithm). And do not spy or backbite each other." [Al-Hujurat: 12].

In this verse, the word "Ithm" appeared undefined.

Does this mean some assumptions are legally forbidden (Haram)?

I do not think so. It is more accurate to say it is a "sin" as the verse stated, meaning it is something harmful to the individual and society. Likewise, alcohol contains significant harm (**"A great sin"**).

Is it among the "major sins"?

This may be the case in instances of addiction and self-destruction. Alcohol (Khamr) is everything that "clouds" (Khamara) the human mind or closes the channels of perception.

May God heal everyone afflicted by the addiction to this evil and compensate them with what suffices them instead of the harm of this affliction.