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Quran 2:219 Says Prohibitions (Gambling, Alcohol) Have Benefit?
In Surah Bakarah, Ayah:
2:219
They ask you about drinking and gambling [because in their society these are also a means of helping the poor]. Tell them: “There is great sin in both, [and no doubt] they also have some benefits for people; but their sin is far greater than their benefits.” ( this translation is taken from a thread of yours. Im sorry but I forgot the number, otherwise I would source )
Im sorry, but it seems kind of strange to me, that Allah SWT would leave a hint of mention about alcohol and gambling having a benefit, then bring the overpowering statement that it is totally forbidden.
Why would Allah SWT mention alcohol and gambling having a benefit, when we are meant to avoid it?
It seems kind of contradictive. Its as if it implies men in the past did good deeds by the means of something immoral.
It also potentially can cause some people to question the prohibition, by wondering ” hey! Why is something that even Allah mentioned a good for, suddenly prohibited? That makes no sense!”
To reiterate the question, why would Allah mention a benefit for something that is forbidden?
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4 Replies
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Quran 2:219 Says Prohibitions (Gambling, Alcohol) Have Benefit?
updated 2 years, 7 months ago
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“Gambling and drinking in pre-Islamic times were a means through which the rich showed their generosity and helped the poor and needy. In winters, when cold winds blew in and caused conditions akin to drought, the courageous would gather at various places, drink liquor and, in their state of inebriation, slaughter any camels they could get hold of. They would pay the owner of the camels whatever price he demanded. They would then gamble on the meat of the slaughtered camels. Whatever parts of meat a person won in this gambling, he would generously distribute them among the poor who would gather around on such occasions. In pre-Islamic Arabia, this was a matter of great honour and people who took part in this activity were considered very philanthropic and generous. The poets would narrate the accounts of their benevolence in their odes. On the other hand, people who stayed away from this activity would be called ‘barm’ (stingy). It was this very benefit of drinking and gambling which prompted people to make an inquiry when they were regarded as prohibited items.
The Quranic words used are ‘أَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَا وَإِثْمُهُمَا’. It is evident from the answer given by the Quran that the real reason for prohibiting something is the moral harm it causes. The Quran generally does not discuss the ills and harms which are not moral in nature. That the moral harm of drinking and gambling is what is implied here is evident from the fact that the word ‘نَفْع’ (benefit) is used in contrast with the word ‘اِثْم’ (sin). Had a comparison between their worldly benefits and harms been intended, the word ‘ضَرَر’ (damage) would have been used instead ‘اِثْم’.”
(Excerpt from Javed Ahmed Ghamidi’s Al-Bayan)
(Translated by Dr. Shehzad Saleem)
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But sir, mentions of drunkards gambling upon whom will slaughter for the poor, still does not dilute the fact that these people were drunk. Why must they do these actions while drunk, when they could have done the same actions while sober?
We cannot mention the righteous actions of someone, whilst they are simultaneously doing wrong at the same time.
There are many people nowadays whom also simultaneously do wrong and right. Yet, we are encouraged to stay away from such influence. People who are part of non permissible businesses, who still donate/help the poor and needy, as well as step in for the right cause.
Are we meant to avoid such influences, or should we stand alongside them?
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It’s just that, if this practice was ” great ” and ” honourable ” , and caused drunkards to perform ” good deeds ” prehistoric Islamic times, then why is one who does the same present time gain sin, instead of ” rewards “? He’s doing righteously for the poor, even though he’s drunk, should he not at least get some reward out of it?
It seems strange, that in prehistoric times, the drunkard was known for being righteous and generous, while the ones that decided to stay sober were ” stingy “? And nowadays it is the opposite, even though the drunkard might be good?
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Quran has commented on the whole activity i.e. charity done via gambling and drinking. Such a charity is not accpetable in the eyes of God that is done through prohibited earnings even if there seems to be an apparent benefit of such a charity (i.e. helping the poors); but in the eyes of God, such a charity will not earn any reward. It can earn worldly benefit, but not reward in the books of Almighty becuase the immoral aspect of such an activity (haram earnings) have a great sin in the eyes of Allah and any good done through any benefit repaed from a such a sin will render that act useless in the sight of Allah. It is not a rebuke of charity, instead such a chairty should be done from pure earnings and not from impure earnings.
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