Why Is The Consumption Of Alcohol Prohibited In Islam?

In Islam all things that are harmful or whose harm exceeds their benefits are unlawful. Therefore, alcohol is deemed unlawful in Islam.

Alcohol has been the curse of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless human lives, and causes misery to millions throughout the world. Statistics showing soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear witness to the destructive power of alcohol.

Alcohol harms the inhibitory center in the human brain. That is the reason that an intoxicated person is often found to be indulging in behavior that is completely abnormal. A drunkard (euphemistically called a ‘problem drinker’) finds it difficult to talk or walk properly. He may even urinate in his clothes. If a person should become intoxicated and commits something shameful just once, it may possibly remain with him for the rest of his life.

There are a number of medical reasons for the prohibition of the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year as a result of it. A few other alcohol related illnesses are:

• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Various forms of cancer
• Esophagitis, gastritis and pancreatitis
• Cardiomyopathy, hypertension, angina and heart attacks
• Strokes, apoplexy, fits and different types of paralysis
• Peripheral neuropathy, cortical atrophy, cerebella atrophy
• Anemia, jaundice and platelet abnormalities
• Recurrent chest infections, pneumonia, emphysema and pulmonary tuberculosis
• During pregnancy, alcohol consumption has a sever detrimental effect on the fetus, causing ‘Fetal alcohol syndrome’.

May clam that they only have one or two drinks and exercise self-control and so they never get intoxicated. But investigations reveal that every alcoholic stated as a social drinker. Not a single drinker drinks with the intention of becoming an alcoholic. It just happens along the way.

The Most Wise Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, in His infinite wisdom, made injunctions aimed at preserving the individual and society. Hence the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islam. It is worth mentioning that when Muslims refrain from doing things that Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has prohibited them. Their aim in this world is to obey Almighty Allah’s عَزَّوَجَلَّ commands, and by doing so they also benefit themselves.