´It was narrated from 'Umar that:` When the prohibition of Khamr was revealed, 'Umar said: "O Allah, give us a clear ruling on Khamr," and the Verse in Al-Baqarah was revealed. 'Umar was called and it was recited to him. Then 'Umar said: "O Allah, give us a clear ruling on Khamr," and the Verse in An-Nisa' was revealed: "O you who believe! Approach not As-Salah (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state". And when the Iqamah for prayer was said, the caller of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] would cry out: "O you who believe! Approach not As-Salah (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state." 'Umar was called and this was recited to him. Then he said: "O Allah, give us a clear ruling on Khamr." Then the Verse in Surat Al-Ma'idah was revealed, and 'Umar was called, and it was recited to him. When he reached the words, "So, will you not then abstain?," 'Umar said: "We have abstained, we have abstained."
1؎: That is, the statement of Allah the Exalted «قل فيهما إثم كبير ومنافع للناس وإثمهمآ أكبر من نفعهما»: "O Prophet! Say: In both of them (intoxicants and gambling) there is great sin, and (some) benefit for people, but their sin is greater than their benefit." (Al-Baqarah: 219)
2؎: That is: the statement of Allah the Exalted «إنما يريد الشيطان أن يوقع بينكم العداوة والبغضائ في الخمر والميسر ويصدكم عن ذكر الله وعن الصلاة فهل أنتم منتهون»: "Shaytan only desires to sow enmity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not then desist?" (Al-Ma'idah: 91)
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
Urdu marginal note: The inclination in the heart of Umar radi Allahu anhu towards the prohibition of alcohol was an inspiration (ilham) from Allah Ta'ala, which was instilled before the definitive ruling was revealed, so that aversion to alcohol would be created in the hearts of the people.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 5542