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Ruling On Consuming Alcohol In A Small Amount
Asselamu aleykum,
I have came to know that some scholars, including Ibn Qutaybah (ra) stated that, that which intoxicates in large quantities is discouraged in small quantities, and that Prophet (sav) have warned against that.
In his book Kitab as-Ashriba (p. 128), he writes,
“That which inebriates in large quantities is disliked (makruh) in small quantities; the Prophet (saw) warned against it as a disciplinary measure.Therefore, it is laudable and rewardable if one avoids it; if however one drinks it, there is no blame on him, God willing.” (Kitab al-Ashriba, p. 128)
So my question is, Is khamr in small quantities as prohibited as Ustad-e-Mohtaram’s (ha) uderstanding of Sadd-e-Zariya, or it is explicitly prohibited by itself? Kindly clarify this, in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah, Thanks.
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2 Replies
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Ruling On Consuming Alcohol In A Small Amount
updated 1 year ago
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Replies
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Yes, khamr (any intoxicant, including alcohol, drugs etc) are explicitly prohibited in themselves, whether consumed in large or small quantities.
In order to understand Quran’s ruling on this, please carefully read the verse 2:219 in conjunction with verse 7:33. You will see that, after Quran’s clear ruling, there is no justification of consuming any intoxicant even in small quantities.
The verse 2:219 tells us that in khamr there is اثم کبیر. Ithm means sin, crime, or something unlawful (Lane’s Lexicon). Ghamidi sahab has translated ithm in this verse as “گناہ”. The verse says that gambling and khamr have great sin in them, despite having some benefits. Please note the usage of word kabeer, so the sin in them is not ordinary but extraordinary.
Next, in verse 7:33, God tells us that He has made all اثم strictly haram for us (verse also cites other things declared haram besides اثم, but our focus is on اثم right now).
Please reflect to understand that if all اثم is made haram for us by God, and intoxicants have great sin in them, then you have a clear equation. And there is hardly any room left to argue that consuming small quantity of alcohol can be justified. It cannot be. It is not makruh, it is explicitly haram. (Consumption for medicinal purpose is a different issue with may fall under اضطرار, and is not consumed with the intention of intoxication).
Ibne Qutaybah is a jaleel ul qadr and very learned scholar with immense contributions, but his opinion on this issue is not correct and contradicts Quran. The matter has already been clarified by God.
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