ISLAM AND THE WEST - 85

 ALCOHOL

 

Pre-Islam Arabia had a heavy drinking culture. For that reason it was not easy to change a whole society so heavily involved in drinking, into one that completely shunned alcohol. The injunctions to ban alcohol were therefore revealed gradually.

 

The first verse to be revealed in this context was;

 

 “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, “In both there is great sin, and some benefits for people. And their sin is greater than their benefit.”…” (2:219)

 

In this verse, even though alcohol was not banned but it was made clear that because its sin was greater than its benefit, it was not a wise choice to continue drinking it. Many Sahabah stopped drinking alcohol after this verse was revealed because even though it was not banned outright, it was made clear that it was not a habit favoured by Allah Ta’ala.