Substances from Which Alcohol is Distilled

✿ Prophetic Statement on the Sources of Alcohol​

Narrated by Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Alcohol is derived from these two trees: the date palm and the grapevine."

✿ Explanation and Key Points​

➊ Primary Sources of Alcohol
Most forms of alcohol are distilled from grapes and dates, which are both capable of fermentation. These fruits are commonly used in traditional winemaking due to their high sugar content, which facilitates fermentation and ultimately produces intoxicants.

➋ Prohibition of All Intoxicants
The Prophet ﷺ prohibited every intoxicating and mind-clouding substance, regardless of the material it is extracted from. Therefore, alcohol distilled from any other source — such as barley, wheat, honey, or synthetic compounds — is equally haram (forbidden) in Islam.

➌ Grapevine Classified as a Tree
In Arabic, the term "shajaratayn" (two trees) includes the grapevine, which although it is a climbing plant, is still linguistically regarded as a "tree" due to its rooted nature and growth form.

✿ Conclusion​

Islam prohibits all forms of alcohol, irrespective of the ingredient or method used in its production. The emphasis in Islamic teachings lies not on the material but on the intoxicating nature of the substance. Thus, any beverage or substance that causes intoxication is categorically haram.

❝كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ خَمْرٌ، وَكُلُّ خَمْرٍ حَرَامٌ❞
"Every intoxicant is wine, and every wine is forbidden."