By: Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him)
"O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?"
(Surah Al-Ma'idah: 90-91)
This verse emphasizes that intoxicants, including alcohol, are among the most abominable deeds inspired by Satan. Their consumption leads to many evils, including neglect of the remembrance of Allah and the performance of Salah. Thus, alcohol consumption is unequivocally haram (forbidden) at all times, whether during Ramadan or otherwise. However, drinking alcohol during Ramadan is even more grievous due to the sanctity of the month.
It is incumbent upon such individuals to repent sincerely, abandon alcohol, and strive to make their fasting meaningful by obeying Allah in all aspects of life.
May Allah guide us all to true repentance and righteous deeds.
Reference:
This response aligns with the ruling of Al-Lajnah ad-Da’imah (The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta).
Question:
What is the ruling on fasting for someone who is so addicted to alcohol that they continue drinking even during the nights of Ramadan? Is their fast valid during the day?Answer:
The Prohibition of Alcohol:
Alcohol consumption is one of the major sins (kaba'ir). Allah Almighty states in the Quran:"O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?"
(Surah Al-Ma'idah: 90-91)
This verse emphasizes that intoxicants, including alcohol, are among the most abominable deeds inspired by Satan. Their consumption leads to many evils, including neglect of the remembrance of Allah and the performance of Salah. Thus, alcohol consumption is unequivocally haram (forbidden) at all times, whether during Ramadan or otherwise. However, drinking alcohol during Ramadan is even more grievous due to the sanctity of the month.
Obligation of Repentance:
A person engaged in alcohol consumption must immediately:- Refrain from Drinking: Stop consuming alcohol entirely.
- Repent Sincerely: Regret their past sins and feel remorseful for disobeying Allah.
- Commit to Avoiding Alcohol in the Future: Make a firm intention not to return to this sin during Ramadan or any other time.
Validity of the Fast:
As for the validity of the fast of someone who consumes alcohol at night but observes the fast during the day, the following conditions must be met for the fast to be valid:- Fasting with a Clear Intention: The individual fasts with the intention of worship (niyyah) for Allah.
- Abstaining from Nullifiers of the Fast: From the break of dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib), they avoid all actions that invalidate the fast.
Conclusion:
While their fast is technically valid if they abstain from all nullifiers during the day, the sin of drinking alcohol—especially during Ramadan nights—is severe. It diminishes the spiritual rewards of fasting and contradicts the essence of Ramadan as a month of purification and drawing closer to Allah.It is incumbent upon such individuals to repent sincerely, abandon alcohol, and strive to make their fasting meaningful by obeying Allah in all aspects of life.
May Allah guide us all to true repentance and righteous deeds.
Reference:
This response aligns with the ruling of Al-Lajnah ad-Da’imah (The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta).