Intoxication

BismilLahhirRahmannirRaheem

Among many blessings Mankind has been endowed with, Intelligence and Wisdom play a key role in man’s conquest of the universe. It is due to this attribute that Allah (SWT) has given man His vicegerency on earth. Islam has underscored its importance, and on many occasions the holy Qur’an has invited Muslims to think, meditate and reflect on Allah’s signs within and without. Deliberations and meditation help man to discover the hidden realities and truths in Allah’s ever expanding universe. Islamic philosophers and scholars of jurisprudence say that Shari’ah is based on 5 fundamentals: 1. Safeguarding the Faith. 2. Life. 3. Progeny or offspring. 4. Wealth, and finally 5. Safeguarding the intellect. To expand mental and intellectual horizon and safeguarding it from any negative influence or damage is one of the fundamental requirements of Islam.

Intoxication is one of those things that Islam has strongly condemned. The holy Qur’an doesn’t only regard it Haraam, but considers it dirty, filthy and lewd. Intoxication ruins man’s character and moral, which is the very essence Allah’s best creation. Man’s inner and spiritual impurity is far worse than his external impurity, because it leads him to all that is heinous and criminal. Prophet (SAW) has clearly condemned every intoxicant as Haraam as per tradition number 5585 of Sahih Bukhari, related by Hazrat Jaabir bin Abdullah. According to Hadith number 1865 of Tirmizi, Prophet (SAW) said that even the small quantity of that thing is Haraam, great quantity of which causes intoxication. This is important to note that addiction to intoxication initially starts with a small dose and than it gradually increases and takes over control of the person. At times such an addiction is not satisfied even with an injection. It is a slow poison, which ruins health, and gradually causes death. Life is a trust for one’s own self, the family, the community and society at large. Use of drugs or alcohol or any intoxicant is a clear betrayal of that trust. Prophet (SAW) has strongly prohibited the use of those things, which are bad for health as per Hadith number 3686 of Abu Dawood, related by Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA).

Intoxicants don’t lead only to moral bankrupt ion, but also causes financial bankruptcy. Wines and drugs are usually expensive and force the addict to use them at the expense of family needs. Consequently many families have been victimized by the bad habit of one family member. It is one of the main causes of divorces and family break ups.

Man is a social animal by nature, and he has to shoulder social responsibilities. He is under obligation to perform some duties as others have some rights on him as a father, son, husband, or a brother. Livelihood, education, and upbringing of children, shelter, and food for the family, upkeep of pleasant conjugal relations with wife and provision of food and all necessities of life are forgotten under the influence of liquor and drugs. That is why Prophet (SAW) has called wine/liquor as Ummul Khaba’is – mother of all evils, meaning the root cause of vice (recorded by Nisa’ee in Hadith number 566), and Ummul Fawaahish, the root of all immodesty (recorded in Ibn-e-Maja, Hadith number 3372).

Prophet (SAW) said that liquor branches out itself like branches of a tree and outgrows itself. He mentioned that once a pretty woman kept wine, a boy, and persuaded a man to commit at lest one sin out of three. That is, drink liquor, kill the boy, or commit sin with her. The man drank liquor believing that it seemed the least, but he committed all the three sins after having lost senses under the influence of liquor.

In most western countries drinking is common. People drink to kill boredom, to forget stress and to over come strain caused by the hectic mechanical life, a life that is barren due to lack of spirituality. It perhaps gives them a momentary relief. Students drink it for fun or fashion without realizing the far-reaching effects on their personal and family life. That is one of the reasons that we are finding cracks in the family structure. Separation and divorce rate is up and on the increase. People try to find solace in intoxication and lose the solace for good. Drinking and drug addiction is bad for the body, the spirit and the pocket. It is a suicide in installments. There is a need for creating awareness for all the people without any distinction of cast, creed or color. Whatever the name it may carry, intoxication is bad and is sin. Prophet (SAW) once said as quoted by Nisa’ee in Hadith number 5658 that people in his Ummah will drink wine but give it a different name. May Allah save our youth, our families and our society from drugs, liquor and intoxicants. Aameen!