Intoxicants and Recreation in Islamic Law: Difference between revisions

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Claim that Muhammad drank intoxicating wine was already debunked on this website
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'''Intoxicants''' (الخمر al‐khamr) such as [[alcohol]], marijuana etc.<ref>"''....The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied: "Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram."....“Khamr is what befogs the mind.” These are the words spoken by 'Umar ibn al-Khattab from the pulpit of the Prophet (PBUH),....Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opium, and the like are definitely included in the prohibited category of khamr. It is well known that the use of such drugs affects the sensory perceptions, making what is near seem distant and what is distant seem near; that their use produces illusions and hallucinations, so that the real seems to disappear and what is imaginary appears to be real; and that drug usage in general impairs the faculty of reasoning and decision-making....''" - [Alcohol and Intoxicants in Islam] - Muslim Bridges</ref> and recreational games of chance, such as board games<ref>"''....the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever plays games of dice has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger."....''" - {{Muwatta|52|2|6|}}, See also {{Muwatta|52|2|7|}}</ref> (including chess),<ref name="chess">"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine....''" - {{Muslim|28|5612}}, See also {{Muwatta|52|2|7|}}</ref> card games and other forms of gambling are forbidden under [[Islamic law]]. Surprisingly, this was not always the case.  
'''Intoxicants''' (الخمر al‐khamr) such as [[alcohol]], marijuana etc.<ref>"''....The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied: "Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram."....“Khamr is what befogs the mind.” These are the words spoken by 'Umar ibn al-Khattab from the pulpit of the Prophet (PBUH),....Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opium, and the like are definitely included in the prohibited category of khamr. It is well known that the use of such drugs affects the sensory perceptions, making what is near seem distant and what is distant seem near; that their use produces illusions and hallucinations, so that the real seems to disappear and what is imaginary appears to be real; and that drug usage in general impairs the faculty of reasoning and decision-making....''" - [Alcohol and Intoxicants in Islam] - Muslim Bridges</ref> and recreational games of chance, such as board games<ref>"''....the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever plays games of dice has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger."....''" - {{Muwatta|52|2|6|}}, See also {{Muwatta|52|2|7|}}</ref> (including chess),<ref name="chess">"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine....''" - {{Muslim|28|5612}}, See also {{Muwatta|52|2|7|}}</ref> card games and other forms of gambling are forbidden under [[Islamic law]]. Surprisingly, this was not always the case.  


==In the Beginning==
==In the Beginning==


Intoxicants (namely, alcohol) was permitted during the early phase of [[Islam]]. [[Muhammad]] even drank it and (rather strangely) performed ablution with it.
Intoxicants (namely, alcohol) was permitted during the early phase of [[Islam]]. Some websites even claim that Muhammad drank intoxicating wine, though [https://archive.wikiislam.net/wiki/Muhammad_Drank_and_Performed_Ablution_with_Wine that claim is not supported] by an accurate presentation of the hadith evidence.


{{Quote|[[Muhammad Drank and Performed Ablution with Wine|Sahih Muslim: Hadith #3753]]|"....The messenger (Peace Be Upon him) asked:”Have you fermented it, even with one piece of ferment?” He (Gaber) said "yes" and he (Muhammad) drank....He answered that he had wine in a pot. Mohammed said: Pour me some to do ablution and he did...."}}
In the [[Qur'an]], wine is elevated and characterized as a blessing of God upon earth.
 
In the [[Qur'an]], wine is even praised.


{{quote|{{Quran|13|4}}| And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighbouring, and '''gardens of vines''' and fields sown with corn, and palm trees - growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand! }}
{{quote|{{Quran|13|4}}| And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighbouring, and '''gardens of vines''' and fields sown with corn, and palm trees - growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand! }}
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However, what we now know as the Qur'an was allegedly revealed over a period of twenty-three years.<ref>Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths, Mary Pat Fisher, 1997, page 338, I.B. Tauris Publishers,</ref> As it stands, the Qur'an is arranged roughly from the longest [[surah]] (chapter) to the shortest. But if we read it in a [[Chronological Order of the Qur'an|chronological order]], we can see the gradual shift in attitude towards intoxicants and such.  
However, what we now know as the Qur'an was allegedly revealed over a period of twenty-three years.<ref>Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths, Mary Pat Fisher, 1997, page 338, I.B. Tauris Publishers,</ref> As it stands, the Qur'an is arranged roughly from the longest [[surah]] (chapter) to the shortest. But if we read it in a [[Chronological Order of the Qur'an|chronological order]], we can see the gradual shift in attitude towards intoxicants and such.  


Verses were 'revealed' as the situation in Muhammad's life demanded. Thus, older [[revelations]] were cancelled out and replaced by newer ones. This is known as Naskh ([[abrogation]]). His followers were attending prayer at the mosque while intoxicated, so the following verse was revealed warning against such behavior.  
Verses were 'revealed' as the situation in Muhammad's life demanded. Thus, older [[Revelation|revelations]] were cancelled out and replaced by newer ones. This is known as Naskh ([[abrogation]]). His followers were attending prayer at the mosque while intoxicated, so the following verse was revealed warning against such behavior.  


{{Quote|{{Quran|4|43}}|O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|4|43}}|O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.}}
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==Alcohol and Games Banned==
==Alcohol and Games Banned==


Taking the actions of Hamza into consideration, there is little wonder Muhammad then banned the consumption of all intoxicants.  
Taking the actions of Hamza into consideration, Muhammad banned the consumption of all intoxicants.  


{{Quote|[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.islamhelpline.com/node/7288|2=2011-10-28}} Sahih Muslim Hadith 4962]|2= Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah  
{{Quote|[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.islamhelpline.com/node/7288|2=2011-10-28}} Sahih Muslim Hadith 4962]|2= Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah  
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{{Quote|{{Muslim|28|5612}}|Buraida reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine.}}
{{Quote|{{Muslim|28|5612}}|Buraida reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine.}}


After the revelation of verse 5:90, Muhammad ordered beatings for anyone who violated his rules.
After the revelation of verse 5:90, Muhammad ordered beatings for anyone who violated his rules regarding these substances.


{{Quote|{{Bukhari|8|81|766}}, See also: {{Bukhari|8|81|764}}, {{Bukhari|8|81|765}}, {{Bukhari|8|81|767}}, and {{Bukhari|8|81|768}}|Narrated' Uqba bin Al-Harith:  
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|8|81|766}}, See also: {{Bukhari|8|81|764}}, {{Bukhari|8|81|765}}, {{Bukhari|8|81|767}}, and {{Bukhari|8|81|768}}|Narrated' Uqba bin Al-Harith:  
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==In The Modern World==
==In The Modern World==


In modern times, these laws still stand. There are out-right bans or severe restrictions put on the sale, purchase, and drinking of alcohol by adults in many Islamic majority countries, including: [[Afghanistan]], [[Bahrain]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Brunei]], [[Iran]], [[Kuwait]], [[Libya]], [[Malaysia]],<ref>[http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/20/malaysian-model-seeks-public-flogging-drinking.html Malaysian model seeks public flogging for drinking] - The Associated Press, August 20, 2009</ref> the [[Maldives]], [[Morocco]], [[Pakistan]], [[Qatar]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Sudan]], [[Tunisia]], and the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prohibition&oldid=332586583 Prohibition]</ref> Punishments vary according to country, but many are consistent with the [[Sunnah]] of Muhammad. They range from weeks to months of imprisonment, public flogging, and (in the case of Iran) the death penalty.  
In modern times, these laws still stand. There are out-right bans or severe restrictions put on the sale, purchase, and drinking of alcohol by adults in many Islamic majority countries, including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia,<ref>[http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/20/malaysian-model-seeks-public-flogging-drinking.html Malaysian model seeks public flogging for drinking] - The Associated Press, August 20, 2009</ref> the Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prohibition&oldid=332586583 Prohibition]</ref> Punishments vary according to country, but many are consistent with the [[Sunnah]] of Muhammad. They range from weeks to months of imprisonment, public flogging, and (in the case of Iran) the death penalty.  


This prohibition, in many cases, does not exclude the non-Muslim. For example; in June 2009, Catholic chef Sapon D Costa was jailed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for possession of alcohol.<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15493&size=A Catholic chef has a “really rough time in Dhaka’s central jail”] - Asia News, June 11, 2009</ref>
This prohibition, in many cases, does not exclude the non-Muslim. For example; in June 2009, Catholic chef Sapon D Costa was jailed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for possession of alcohol.<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15493&size=A Catholic chef has a “really rough time in Dhaka’s central jail”] - Asia News, June 11, 2009</ref>


Despite these harsh laws and the negative views held by Muslims against alcohol, [[Muslim Statistics|statistics]] provided by research group Euromonitor International reported in 2011 that alcohol use in predominantly Muslim regions of the world increased by 25 percent in 5 years.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/ME.XEF93985.html|2=2011-02-25}} Islam: Survey, Alcohol Use In Mideast-Africa +25% In 5 Years] - ANSAmed, February 23, 2011</ref> Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported in the same year that Malaysia, a country with a Muslim majority, is the world's tenth largest consumer of alcohol.<ref>Tanya Thomas - [http://www.medindia.net/news/Despite-Its-Muslim-Majority-WHO-Names-Malaysia-as-Worlds-10th-Largest-Alcohol-Consumer-85415-1.htm Despite Its Muslim Majority, WHO Names Malaysia as World's 10th Largest Alcohol Consumer] - Medindia Health Network, May 24, 2011</ref>
Despite these harsh laws and the negative views held by Muslims against alcohol, statistics provided by research group Euromonitor International reported in 2011 that alcohol use in predominantly Muslim regions of the world increased by 25 percent in 5 years.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/ME.XEF93985.html|2=2011-02-25}} Islam: Survey, Alcohol Use In Mideast-Africa +25% In 5 Years] - ANSAmed, February 23, 2011</ref> Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported in the same year that Malaysia, a country with a Muslim majority, is the world's tenth largest consumer of alcohol.<ref>Tanya Thomas - [http://www.medindia.net/news/Despite-Its-Muslim-Majority-WHO-Names-Malaysia-as-Worlds-10th-Largest-Alcohol-Consumer-85415-1.htm Despite Its Muslim Majority, WHO Names Malaysia as World's 10th Largest Alcohol Consumer] - Medindia Health Network, May 24, 2011</ref>


==See Also==
==See Also==
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==External Links==
==External Links==


* [http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/drinking.htm Muhammad, the Quran, and Prohibition - Islam’s punishments for drinking and gambling] ''- [[Answering Islam]]''
*[http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/drinking.htm Muhammad, the Quran, and Prohibition - Islam’s punishments for drinking and gambling] ''- Answering Islam''
* [http://www.livingislam.org/fiqhi/fiqha_e72.html On Khamr (And What Intoxicates)] ''- Islamic site''
*[http://www.livingislam.org/fiqhi/fiqha_e72.html On Khamr (And What Intoxicates)] ''- Islamic site''


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Islamic Law]]
[[Category:Shariah (Islamic Law)]]
[[Category:Qur'an]]
[[Category:Qur'an]]
[[Category:Alcohol]]
[[Category:Art and music]]
[[Category:Caliphate]]
[[Category:Criticism of Islam]]
[[Category:Society and human nature]]
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