Islam
Psychological approach of Islam in prohibition of alcohol
Kalabooshanam M.Y.M. Meeadhu
The Holy Quran and the Prophetic tradition have completely forbidden
the use of alcohol under any condition whatsoever. But prior to complete
prohibition, Islam has adopted a psychological approach in such a way
that the addicts of alcohol gradually changed their addiction to the
culmination of complete sobriety. Hence, Islam has succeeded in
reforming the Arab society as a well disciplined nation sans
intoxication. Thus Islam strictly prohibits the consumption of alcohol
of any kind.
But, before and during the period of Prophet Muhammad (sal) the
people of Arabia were accustomed to consume liquor as part of their
eating and drinking habits and proudly lived as alcohol addicts as
ignominiously reflected in their "Jahiliyya" (period of ignorance)
literature-especially poetry. Psychologically, the treatment of an
alcoholic addict is a very arduous task and often disappointing and
hence importance is attached to its prevention.
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Masjidul Rifai and Minhajiyya Arabic
College, Udunuwara - Batupitiya Picture by: H.M. Mansoor
Kandy Group Corr. |
It is specifically mentioned in the Holy Quran and Hadees that the
prohibition of intoxicants in Islam did not come all at once in one
single day but was a gradual process, commencing with preparing the
misdirected masses Psychologically for exposure to such moral boundary
not by human laws but through divine revelation (wahi) and Allah's
commandments. Initially, Allah who knows in and out of human nature made
it clear that the evil or harm of consuming liquor was greater than its
insignificant benefits-a fact which holds true even after 15 centuries.
This is a psychological factor applied to weigh the comparative merit or
demerit of the deep rooted habit formed by the Arab masses before and
during the early part of Prophet Muhammad's mission.
Allah clearly and psychologically declares as follows in His Quran:
"They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say: in them is great sin
and some profit for mankind but the sin is greater than their
profit."(Q.2:219) Later, Allah said that people should not come to Salat
(prayer) when they are drunk. "O You who believe! Approach not prayers
with a mind befogged Until you can understand all that you say."
(Q.4:43)
This Quranic verse was revealed at a time when one of Prophet
Muhammad's companions once led the prayers while he was under the
influence of liquor. This Quranic verse had a sobering effect on the
people aided by the five obligatory prayers distributed throughout the
day at such quick interval as to prevent them from taking alcohol. And
finally, Allah revealed the following Quranic verse commanding the
complete prohibition of alcohol for all the people.
"O You who believe! Truly, intoxicants and gambling and divination by
arrows are an abomination of Satan's handiwork. Avoid it in order that
you may be successful. Assuredly, Satan desires to sow enmity and hatred
among you with intoxicants and gambling and to hinder you from the
remembrance of Allah and prayer. Will you not then abstain?" (Q.5:90-91)
From this Quranic statement, we understand that drunkards are
mentally alerted to give up the drinking habit for the sake of Allah
whose remembrance should not be hindered by continuous boozing. This
psychological suggestion to the alcoholic addicts changed the minds in
favour of sobriety at last. Thus, when Prophet Muhammad (sal) recited
this Quranic commandment, the listeners readily answered: "We have
abstained from alcohol. By Allah, we have abstained." And every
household is Madinah poured out all the wine they had possessed into the
streets which were flooded.
It demonstrated that there was such a large stock of wine in Madinah
at the time of complete ban on use of liquor. It may be emphatically
stated that the Quranic injunction at this stage of enlightening the
believers revolutionised the thinking of the Muslims in favour of
purified moral life.
Thus the above Quranic verses were revealed step by step and having
originated from the creator, Allah Himself had strong emotional and
personal appeal to the people- the Arabs of that period now disciplined
by religious commitment. Allah also reminded Muslims follows: "And do
not be cast into ruins by your own hands." (Q.2:195) Further, Allah
says," And do not kill one another." (Q.4:29) Prophet Muhammad (sal)
said: "Do not harm yourself or others." All avenues to alcohol were
closed when the Prophet (sal) declared: "Truly, Allah has cursed
intoxicants (khamr) and has cursed one who serves it; one who transports
it and one who has it transported to him; One who sells it; and one who
purchases it; one who presents it as a gift and one who brings the
proceeds for use there from. "In violation of Islamic shareeah., in
certain Muslim countries liquor is being supplied to foreign tourists.
But it is prohibited in Islam.
According to the Quran and prophetic tradition, the Muslim Government
Authorities are liable to be punished by Allah for such supply of liquor
to others. From the above Hadees, all Muslims living in Muslim countries
and non-Muslim countries should realise that they are prohibited from
involving themselves in any aspect of dealing with Alcohol. If a Muslim
Government allows an Agency to market all kinds of alcohol to
non-Muslims according to Hadees it must be mentioned that penalty
imposed for taking alcohol in a Muslim country. Is whipping which causes
painful physical, psychological injury to the drunkard himself. Since
the punishment for taking liquor is prompt, frightening and humiliating
and the drunkard is immediately released after he has been whipped. It
makes him think twice before consuming alcohol once again.
The drunkard does not become a burden to the government because he is
immediately released after being whipped and permitted to get back home.
He is not put in prison or detention according to Islamic law. Then, the
government need not spend money for his food, clothing and security by
detaining in a prison. This is a psychological treatment of a drunkard
who recovers from the malady of alcohol attack. At this point, it must
be mentioned that the British and Sri Lankan criminal code puts the
drunkards into prison causing an enormous amount of public money to be
spent for maintenance in the prison. Hence, the government can think
about applying Islamic law in the cases of drunkards who are nabbed by
the police.
In fact, as a result of applying Islamic law, the arrested drunkard
reforms himself and becomes a pious believer in Islamic moral ethics. As
a consequence of Islamic punitive system the once corrupted drunkard
changes himself as a useful man to his parents, core family, extended
family, kith and kin, friends and fellow citizens of the country. He
also sets a model to those who indulge in illegal production of
narcotics and thus contributes to dwindling of boozers and addicted
consumers of alcoholic drinks. Such a reformed character will prove
himself as a well disciplined man of decorum and will command
recognition of the society and the State at last. It is fervently hoped
that the non-Muslim Government too may follow the exemplary procedure of
punishment for a drunkard adopted by Islam.
Finally, every right thinking person should remember that Islam does
not permit even a small quantity of alcohol as Prophet (sal) rightly
said:' That of which a large quantity intoxicates is unlawful in its
little quantity." Similarly, we are not allowed to drink wine just
because the weather is cold. Besides, we are not permitted to keep
alcohol at home for entertaining our non-Muslim or foreign guests,"
every drink that intoxicates is unlawful", "Every intoxicant (e.g.Alcohol,)
and stimulant (e.g cocaine) is prohibited in Islam.
Courtesy: This Article is based on the book written by Dr. Ebrahim
Kazim.
The nature of the Qur'an
Al Haj M.C.A. Hassan
Nahmaduhu Nusallee wa Nusallimu 'ala Rasoolihil Kareem, Amma Ba'ad
It is common knowledge that the Qur'an is the Book of guidance from
Allah to the mand kind Muslims revealed through the last Prophet and
Messenger, Muhammed (owbp). The Question is always asked: What is the
Qur'an? "The commonest answer one gives is, "It is a complete and
perfect Book bestowed on man by Allah." Let us hear what an observer and
active participant during the stages of the revelation and faithful
scholar of the Qur'an, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet (owbp),
also the fourth Caliph of Islam, Aliyyin Karramallahu Wajhahu said: "the
Qur'an is a means for quenching the thirst of scholars; a spring for the
hearts of jurists; a straight path for arbitrators; a strong argument
for thinkers and philosophers; an invaluable treasure of knowledge for
students; a perfect basic constitution for government; a refreshing
discussion for the interested; and a source of hope and confidence for
those thirsty for research and investigation." True to this saying,
research has gone on ad infinitum by both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars
and yet its mysteries petrify them.
 In the Qur'an, Man is considered the most honoured creature of Allah
on earth. This is clear in the trust Allah placed on him on the day man
was created. It is given in a clear descriptive style in the Qur'an in
Chapter 38: verses 71-72 thus: "Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: I
am about to create man from clay. When I have fashioned him (in the
proportion) and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall ye down in
obeisance unto him."
Here Allah orders the Angels to bow to man in veneration, the moment.
He created Sayyidina Adam. This act shows not only was Sayyidina Adam
honoured by Allah but also his progeny with the proviso that they should
tread on the right path. Allah states here with benevolence upon His
creatures, "We have honoured the sons of Adam, provided them with
transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and
pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our
creation." (Qur'an, Chapter 17, verse 70).
This right path man is charged to treat on needed guidance. This
guidance came in the form of revelations through various Prophets and
Messengers throughout the ages. Man is urged to read the Qur'an with no
purpose other than to receive guidance from His Lord, to come nearer to
Him, and to seek His good pleasure. It has been Allah's pleasure to
choose Islam as a religion for mankind. Anyone who follows that Allah
has been pleased to choose for him, and accepts it with pleasure, will
be guided by Allah "along the paths of peace". This has been accepted as
a final, comprehensive and everlasting Message revealed and well
established as a demonstration of the perfection of the grace Allah has
bestowed on man, choosing Islam as the faith acceptable to him.
The Qur'an came to the last Messenger of Allah, Muhammed (owbp) and
the nature of the Message he had been given and the role it is destined
to play in human life and its practical effect are explained: "There has
come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book." Explaining this
sentence, a revered commentator of the Qur'an, Sayyid Qutb says:
"Perhaps nothing expresses the nature of the Qur'an and the divine
message of Islam more accurately and comprehensively than stating that
it is "a light". In his heart of hearts, in everything in his life, in
his evaluation of things, events and people, a believer realizes as soon
as he accepts the truth of faith that he has a light that makes
everything clear to him. Everything brighteness up in front of him. No
longer is he confused about anything; no longer does he suffer any
hesitation before taking a serious decision; no longer is he travelling
an unmarked road and no longer is he uncertain of his direction. His
ultimate goal is clear. His way towards it is straight and he is certain
of his footsteps."
The Qur'an not only informs mankind about this world, and the one to
follow, but also gives a complete code of life to guide them at every
step of their existence. There is no aspect which it has not discussed;
even the method and manner of talking and walking have been covered.
Allah leaves no doubt that it was He who revealed the Qur'an to
mankind. He states at several places that He has sent to man a
Messenger, the Prophet, to recite the Divine Book and teach them wise
things. In Chapter 2, verse 151 He says: "A similar (favour have ye
already received). In that We have sent among you an Apostle of your
own, rehearsing to you Our Signs, and sanctifying you, and instructing
you in Scripture and Wisdom, and in new Knowledge."
In Chapter 3, verse 164 he says: "Allah did confer a great favour on
the Believers when He sent among them an Apostle from among themselves,
rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and
instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while, before that, they had
been in manifest error."
He teaches this wisdom to mankind in many ways, in science, in
medicine, in travel. Take for instance, the Chapter Al-Anaam, Cattle:
6.95-98. He says there: "It is Allah who splits the grain and the
fruit-stone. He brings forth the living out of that which is dead and
the dead out of that which is alive. Such is Allah. How then can you
turn away? He is the One who causes the dawn to break. He has made the
night to be (a source of) stillness, and the sun and the moon for
reckoning. All this is laid down by the will of the Mighty One, the
All-knowing. It is He that has set up for you the stars, so that you may
be guided by them in the deep darkness of land and sea. We have made Our
revelations plain indeed to people who have knowledge. It is He Who has
brought you all into being from a single soul and furnished you with a
dwelling and a resting place. We have made Our revelations plain indeed
to people of understanding."
Commentators of the Qur'an agree that this is a chapter that contains
an awe-inspiring scene of the universe and relate it to human life and
people's interest and concerns. The whole space with its sun, moon and
stars is portrayed as directly relevant to people's lives. For instance,
when he says: "It is He Who has set up for you the stars, so that you
may be guided by them in the deep darkness of land and sea", it refers
to the age-old practice of people getting lost at sea and land. They
felt that they were in total darkness and were guided by the stars.
Sayyid Qutb says again: "This used to be the case in ancient times, and
continues to be so today. Methods of being guided by stars may vary and
may indeed be wider in scope as a result of scientific discoveries, but
the rule remains the same; these stars provide guidance out of the
darkness, whether physical or mental darkness affecting people's
thinking and colouring their concepts. The Qur'anic statement remains
valid all the time. It addresses mankind in its primitive days and they
find its address true in their lives."
It also addressed human beings after they have made great advances
and far-reaching discoveries relating to men and the universe. An
eminent revert to Islam and a well-known TV personality said in a recent
lecture that a sailor was given a copy of the translation of the Qur'an
to read. When at sea he filled his time by reading it. He was one who
had never heard of the teachings of Islam. But as a weather-beaten
sailor he knew the erratic ways of the mighty ocean through constant
sailing of the seas. When reading the translation of the Qur'an, he came
across this descriptive passage: "Or as darkness in a vast, deep sea,
there covers it waves, from above which are waves, from above which are
clouds. Darkness on top of each other. If he stretches out his hand, he
can hardly see it. And whoever Allah does not make light for him, for
him there is no light." (24:40). When he got back on land,he asked the
person who gave him the book, "I say, this chap Muhammed, was he a
sailor?" When told he was not, he was convinced of the divine nature of
the Message and he reverted to Islam.
To be continued next week
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a
laudable speech in Tamil for the first time in history as
Sri Lankan President at the 63rd United Nations General
Assembly recently. Ulamas Muslim Party Leader Maulavi
Mubarak Abdul Majeed honoured the President at the Temple
Trees by presenting with a golden shawl in appreciation.
Asseyyad Alavi Mowlana Governor of Western Province and the
President’s Advisor Al Haj A.H.M. Azver were also present.
Al-Hafil Asseyyad Hassan Moulana (Al-Qadiri) Chief Imam of
Colombo Devatagaha Jumma Masjid and the President of Sri
Lanka Hambantota Muhammadiya Association too wished the
President in appreciation. At the special function.
Picture by J. Sudath Silva |
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| The Moors Islamic
Cultural Home (MICH) organised a felicitation ceremony for
the board members who completed fifty years service to the
MICH at the MICH Reception Hall, Wellawatte, recently. Here
President of MICH and Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Iran
Al Haj Omar Kamil presenting the memento to members Al Haj
Mecci Macam Markar, A. Atthas Kuthdoos, M.H.M. Ameen, Al Haj
M.A. Nawaz and Al Haj M.U. Sufi Ismail. Picture by:
Ruzaik Farook |
Central Province Governor Tikiri
Kobbekaduwa held a discussion with Ullamaas, Heads of the
Mosques, Madrasas and boards of trustees of Kandy district
to find the speedy solutions to the problems with regard to
Education and Culture of Kandy Muslim Community. Here the
Governor presides the meeting.
Picture by M.M. Razek Harispaththuwa group correspondent |
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