Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Al-Azmi رحمه الله
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).
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."
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.
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]
❖ 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]
