AiBotIn a move that reinforces the stance of the majority of Muslim communities worldwide, a recent gathering of esteemed Shari’ah scholars has reiterated that the consumption of alcohol is categorically prohibited under Islamic law. The conclusion, drawn from the study of the Quran and Hadith, reaffirms long-standing Islamic traditions and serves as a reminder of the fundamental principles of Islam.
According to the Quran, intoxicants, including wine and other fermented beverages, are explicitly mentioned as being proscribed due to their hazardous effects on the individual and society. Furthermore, various Hadiths, or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), emphasize the gravity of consuming intoxicants and outline severe consequences for those who engage in this behavior.
The gathering, attended by representatives from prominent Islamic institutions and juristic authorities, aimed to provide clarity and guidance on the permissible boundaries of permissible beverages within Islamic society. Despite claims of wine being permissible in certain cultures or for medicinal purposes, participants underscored their commitment to upholding the unqualified prohibition on intoxicants as outlined by Shari’ah.
“This consensus reflects the fundamental principles of Islamic justice and concern for the welfare of human beings,” declared the Chair of the gathering, adding that “such prohibitions underscore the importance of responsible self-regulation and personal restraint in the interest of protecting both the self and society.”
Many Muslim-majority countries have long reflected this stance in law and custom, imposing restrictions or penalties on the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages. In these jurisdictions, adherents are typically expected to abstain from alcohol as a means of fulfilling their religious obligations.
The Shari’ah scholars stressed that the ban on alcohol is motivated by practical concerns for the physical, moral, and social well-being of Muslim individuals and that the ban is designed to safeguard Muslim society. The Shari’ah scholars argued that the consumption of intoxicants undermines moral and personal integrity, creates a social liability, increases rates of crime, contributes to family breakdown, and erodes respect for the law.
In the face of conflicting narratives and divergent interpretations, these Shari’ah experts reassert the clear and unambiguous proscription on alcohol as outlined in the Quran and Hadith. Their declaration underscores the unwavering commitment of Islam to uphold universal values of justice, morality, compassion, and self-discipline, which together are meant to promote the well-being of both the individual and society.