The Islamic faith has very clear guidelines regarding alcohol consumption – it is considered haram (forbidden). However, not all Muslims adhere strictly to this religious teaching. While alcohol is prohibited in Islam, some Muslims do drink, usually in moderation.
What does Islam say about alcohol?
According to Islamic teachings, consuming alcohol is strictly forbidden. This prohibition comes directly from the Quran, which states:
“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (Quran 5:90)
Drinking alcohol is considered a major sin. The Prophet Muhammad also spoke out against alcohol consumption:
“Every intoxicant is unlawful. Verily, God has made a covenant that whoever drinks intoxicants, he will be made to drink ‘Tinat-ul-Khabal’ from the spring of ‘Khaulah.'” The companions asked, “O Messenger of God! What is ‘Tinat-ul-Khabal’ and what is the ‘spring of Khaulah’?” He said, “It is the sweat of the denizens of Hell.” (Sunan Abî Dâwûd 3676)
Based on verses from the Quran and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, alcohol is clearly prohibited for Muslims. Drinking alcohol violates the sanctity of the mind and body. Intoxication impairs a person’s judgment and ability to function properly. Islam encourages Muslims to strive for purity in all aspects of life.
Are there exceptions?
The prohibition on alcohol in Islam is absolute. There are no exceptions made for drinking in moderation, only on special occasions, for medicinal purposes, or only certain types of alcohol. Any kind of intoxicating drink is considered haram.
Unlike pork, alcohol does not become permissible for Muslims out of necessity. Even if a Muslim is in danger of starvation and alcohol is the only available option, it must still be avoided according to Islamic laws.
What does the Quran say about punishment?
The Quran does not prescribe any earthly punishment for consuming alcohol. However, there are hadith (reports of the teachings, deeds and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) that discuss chastisement:
“Whosoever drinks wine in this world and does not repent then he will be deprived of it in the next world.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3375)
“A man who drank wine was brought to the Prophet. The Prophet said: Beat him. So some of those present hit him with their hands, some with their sandals and some with their garments. When the man turned to leave, someone said: May Allah disgrace you! The Prophet said: Do not say such things. Do not help the devil against him.” (Sahih Bukhari 6780)
Based on these hadith, scholars concluded that an intoxicated person should be punished with approximately 40-80 lashes. However, there is no corporal punishment for alcohol consumption codified in the Quran or sharia (Islamic law). Any enforcement would depend on the judicial practices of particular countries.
Do Muslims still drink?
While alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited in Islam, some Muslims do drink, whether occasionally or frequently.
A recent government survey in the United States found that 43% of Muslim adults reported consuming alcohol at some point in their lives, compared to 90% of the general public. Additionally, 20% of Muslims said they had an alcoholic drink in the past year.
However, the vast majority of those who drank alcohol reported only doing so sometimes – less than 1% said they drink daily or weekly. Social drinking appears more common than habitual drinking among Muslims living in Western countries where alcohol is easily accessible.
Reasons Why Some Muslims Drink
There are several factors that may influence Muslims to drink alcohol even though it is prohibited in Islam:
- Secularization – Loosened adherence to religious obligations
- Assimilation – Adopting cultural norms of non-Muslim majority societies
- Rebelliousness – Defiance of strict religious rules, especially among youth
- Addiction – Dependence on alcohol that is difficult to stop
- Ignorance – Lack of religious education about prohibition of alcohol
- Rationalization – Justifying drinking as only in moderation or less sinful than alternatives
muslim countries alcohol laws
Most Muslim-majority countries have legal restrictions on alcohol use and availability:
| Country | Alcohol Laws |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Total ban on alcohol |
| Iran | Alcohol banned except for certain recognized minority religious groups |
| Pakistan | Alcohol permitted only for non-Muslims with restrictions on sale |
| Indonesia | Alcohol legal with high taxes and restrictions in some regions |
| Turkey | Alcohol legal but high taxes and advertising restrictions |
| Egypt | Alcohol permitted with some regulations on licenses |
| Qatar | Alcohol legal only in licensed venues like hotels and restaurants |
| United Arab Emirates | Alcohol available in licensed venues but Muslims should avoid drinking |
Most Muslim countries do not impose an outright ban. However, alcohol faces substantial restrictions or legal prohibitions for Muslims specifically. At the very least, customs and social taboos discourage alcohol consumption even where it is legally permitted.
Are there medical exemptions?
There are no exemptions from the prohibition on alcohol in Islam for medical reasons. Muslims believe God has not forbidden anything without providing alternatives that are better for humanity.
Some Muslims argue that alcohol could be permissible solely as part of medical treatment if no alternative medication is available. However, Islamic scholars emphasize that opiates and anesthetics that do not intoxicate or impair mental faculties are permitted for medical use.
Additionally, most modern medicines do not actually contain alcoholic spirits. Alcohol may be used in the initial stages of certain drug manufacturing processes but it is typically removed from the final medicinal formulation.
Can Muslims use alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
There is a difference of opinion among Islamic scholars regarding alcohol-based hand sanitizers:
- Some argue that alcohol-based sanitizers should be avoided because of the prohibition on ingesting intoxicants. There is concern that hand sanitizer may enter the body through absorption by the skin or accidental ingestion.
- Others permit the use of alcohol-based sanitizers given that the alcohol is not being consumed as a beverage. They argue sanitizers have an important health benefit and do not cause intoxication, so they are not violating the spirit of the prohibition.
Many Muslims opt to use non-alcohol-based sanitizers when available. However, alcohol-based sanitizers are generally considered acceptable by necessity for hand hygiene if no alternative is available.
Can Muslims eat food cooked with alcohol?
There are mixed opinions among Muslim scholars regarding food cooked with alcohol:
- Some prohibit any food prepared with alcohol, arguing that all forms of alcohol consumption are haram including during cooking.
- Others allow it if the alcohol is completely evaporated during cooking and no trace amount remains in the dish.
- More lenient interpretations permit food cooked with alcohol as long as the alcohol was not added for taste and is only a small ingredient rather than the main component.
Many Muslims avoid dishes cooked with wine or other alcoholic beverages. However, there tends to be more flexibility with small amounts of alcohol extracts, like vanilla extract in baked goods. These are often seen as permissible within Islamic dietary laws.
Can Muslims work in establishments that serve alcohol?
Many Islamic scholars prohibit Muslims from working in places that predominantly serve or sell alcohol, such as bars. Directly facilitating haram activities is considered unlawful.
However, restaurants and other establishments that serve some alcohol but are not alcohol-focused tend to be considered permissible places of work for Muslims. The sale of alcohol is not their primary business. Nonetheless, some observant Muslims may still refuse to work in such environments out of personal religious conviction.
Conclusion
In summary, consuming alcohol is strictly forbidden in Islam. The Quran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad prohibit intoxicating substances that impair the mind and body. Drinking wine or other intoxicants constitutes a major sin.
Despite the clear religious prohibition, some Muslims do drink alcohol, especially those living in Western countries. However, a majority abstain from alcohol entirely based on Islamic beliefs. Most Muslim-majority countries also impose some restrictions on alcohol use and accessibility.
While the Quran does not prescribe earthly punitive measures, there are some reports of corporal punishment for intoxication in certain Islamic texts. However, such enforcement tends to rely on judicial practices of individual countries.
While alcohol is prohibited for consumption, its use in certain medicines and hygiene products falls into more of a grey area. There is debate around whether alcohol-based hand sanitizers are permitted. Cooking with alcohol also generates mixed opinions.
In the end, despite some modern interpretations, most Islamic scholars and practicing Muslims maintain that any substance that causes intoxication is fundamentally forbidden. Complete abstinence from alcohol in all forms remains the prevailing view and religious obligation.