Wine verses

Commentators have identified four Quranic verses related to the prohibition of alcohol:

1. “And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines, you derive intoxicants and good provision. Indeed, in that is a sign for a people who reason” (Quran 16:67).
2. “O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving” (Quran 4:43).
3. “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’ And they ask you what they should spend. Say, ‘The excess [beyond needs].’ Thus, Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought” (Quran 2:219).
4. “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful” (Quran 5:90).

Alcohol consumption and drunkenness were extremely prevalent during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), becoming a widespread societal issue. Some historians even claim that the passions of the pre-Islamic Arabs were summarized in three things: poetry, wine, and war! Narrations also indicate that even after the prohibition of alcohol, its ban was extremely difficult for some Muslims to accept, to the point that they said, “Nothing was harder for us to give up than alcohol.”

It is clear that if Islam had sought to combat this widespread issue without considering psychological and social principles, it would not have been successful. Therefore, Islam adopted a gradual approach to prohibition, preparing minds and hearts to eradicate the deeply ingrained habit of alcohol consumption. This began with subtle hints in some Meccan surahs (e.g., verse 67 of Surah An-Nahl), which indirectly criticized the practice. Although the word “sakar” has various meanings in Arabic, in this verse, it refers to intoxicants and alcoholic beverages. The Quran did not permit the production of alcohol from dates and grapes but rather contrasted intoxicants with good provision, subtly indicating the undesirability of alcohol.

However, since the deeply rooted habit of alcohol consumption could not be eradicated with mere hints, and because alcohol was also a source of economic income for some, a more decisive command was revealed after the migration to Madinah and the establishment of the first Islamic state. This was verse 219 of Surah Al-Baqarah, which acknowledged the economic benefits of alcohol for some societies, like the pre-Islamic Arabs, but emphasized that its harms far outweighed its benefits.

Following this, verse 43 of Surah An-Nisa explicitly prohibited Muslims from praying while intoxicated, ensuring they understood what they were saying to Allah. This verse did not imply that drinking alcohol was permissible outside of prayer times but was part of the gradual prohibition process.

Finally, when Muslims became more familiar with Islamic teachings and were mentally prepared to eradicate this major social vice, the definitive command was revealed in verse 90 of Surah Al-Ma’idah, which unequivocally prohibited alcohol and gambling, leaving no room for excuses.

[1] The Holy Quran, Surah 16, Verse 67.
[2] The Holy Quran, Surah 4, Verse 43.
[3] The Holy Quran, Surah 2, Verse 219.
[4] The Holy Quran, Surah 5, Verse 90.
[5] Manahil al-‘Irfan fi ‘Ulum al-Quran, vol. 1, p. 101; Tafsir Nemuneh, vol. 2, p. 118; Tafsir Nemuneh, vol. 3, p. 396; Tafsir Nemuneh, vol. 5, p. 70.