(Even) if the alcoholic drinks trade were to be profitable...

(Even) if the alcoholic drinks trade were to be profitable for a man – upon the assumption that the forgetting of his sorrows and a few moments of insensibility could be viewed as a benefit for him – nevertheless, its harms are so much more immense, extensive and protracted that the two just cannot be compared. (1) At this juncture, we present some other points in the form of statistics in connection with the enormous consequences of this harmful act: i.

According to statistics published in England in connection with delirium tremens, when this condition was compared to other forms of insanity, it was found that as opposed to 2249 cases of delirium tremens, there were only 53 cases of insanity which were caused by other factors! (2) ii. Figures procured from American asylums indicate that alcoholic patients constitute 85% of those suffering from psychological disorders. (3) iii.

An English scholar by the name of Bentham writes: “In northern countries, alcoholic beverages make a person fatuous and imbecile, while in the southern countries, it makes them insane. He then adds: The religion of Islam has prohibited all kinds of alcoholic drinks and this is one of the distinctive features of Islam.” (4) iv.

If statistics were to be compiled of those, who, in intoxication have committed suicides, perpetrated crimes, destroyed houses and dashed the aspirations of families, the figures would be truly staggering. (5) v. In France, 440 people die as a result of alcohol, every day! (6) vi.

According to another piece of data, deaths in the United States resulting from psychological disorders in a period of one year are twice that of the casualties suffered by it during World War II, and according to researchers, alcohol and cigarettes play a pivotal role vis-à-vis psychological disorders in that country! (7) vii.

According to statistics published by an individual by the name of Huger on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the magazine Sciences, 60 per cent of intentional murders, 75 per cent of violent and physical abuses, 30 per cent of immoral acts (including incest with the immediate relatives!) and 20 per cent of thefts are related to alcohol and alcoholic drinks. According to another set of figures compiled by this same scholar, 40 per cent of juvenile offenders have an alcoholic record.

(8) viii.