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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Alcohol Islam's Approach to the Problem of Drink The first hint regarding the evil of drink was in a general command to the effect: Say, "Verily did prohibit my Lord shameful deeds those apparent of them and those concealed, and sin and rebellion without (any) right, and that ye associate with Allah, for which hath not been sent down any authority and that ye say against Allah what ye know not " (Al-Quran, 7:33).

This general command includes all kinds of indecencies and the scholars of exegesis, particularly take the word "them" sin to refer to drink. This general command is made more explicit in verse No. 219 of the Chapter Al-Baqarah, which makes the positions vis-à-vis all kinds of intoxicants more clear.

It is to the effect, " They ask thee, concerning wine and lots (gambling and games of chance) , say in both these is great Sin, and also (some) profits for men, but their sin is greater than their profit ". (Al-Quran 2:219). Here we have a clear indication of the attitude of Islam, towards two of the vilest evils, which corrupt human society, with the revelation of this verse, many of the believers gave up drinking, becoming fully conscious of the underlying force of the verse.

Divine Ban on the use of Liquor It has been related that in the absence of a categorical prohibition, the use of liquor in social gathering did not cease. In a certain assembly it so happened that under the influence of drink, the prayers were conducted in an atmosphere lacking decorum and due reverence, whereupon the Divine Command was issued more categorically in regard to the use of drink at prayer times, to the following effect " O ye who believe!

Approach not prayer when ye are intoxicated, until ye know (well) what ye say ." (Al-Quran 4:43). This command practically decided the attitude of Islam, and the believers began to expect the final categorical word of prohibition, which came in due course, in the following strain, " O ye who believe! Intoxicants and games of chance .

(dedication of) stones (i.e., idols) and (divination by) arrows, are only an abomination of Satan's handiwork, so be ye away from it, so that ye may be successful (Al-Quran 5:93). And with this final verdict alcohol and other specified evils vanished from the Muslim Society, as by a magic wand, The announcement of the ban effectively sealed the fate of the evil. And how did Islam achieve its unique civilisation?