❖ Evidences for the Prohibition of Intoxicating Substances
Intoxicants and narcotics are considered filthy and impure (khabīth) substances in Islam.
Allah ﷻ has forbidden impure things for all His servants, and has only permitted that which is pure and wholesome (ṭayyib).
📖 Qur’anic Evidences
① Surah Al-Mā’idah:
﴿يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ۖ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ﴾
[Al-Mā’idah: 4]
“They ask you what has been made lawful for them. Say: Lawful for you are all things good and pure (ṭayyibāt).”
② Surah Al-Aʿrāf – Regarding the qualities of the Prophet ﷺ:
﴿وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ﴾
[Al-Aʿrāf: 157]
“He makes lawful for them what is good and pure, and prohibits for them what is impure and filthy.”
❖ Prophetic Statement on Intoxicants
Imām Abū Dāwūd narrated from Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها that:
❝The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade every intoxicating and stupefying substance.❞
[Ḍaʿīf – Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth no. 3686]
Despite the weakness in this specific narration, the meaning is supported by multiple authentic sources, and it is universally accepted that all intoxicants are impermissible.
⚠ Harmful Effects of Intoxicants
- Intoxicants are stupefying in nature and lead to loss of reason and awareness.
- Their harms are vast and well-known, including:
- Physical and mental destruction,
- Social and familial breakdown,
- Criminal behavior and moral corruption.
Due to these dangers, Islam strictly forbids the use of any intoxicating substance, regardless of its form or source.
[Al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah: Fatwa no. 500]
