What instrument must be used for administering the prescribed punishment (Hadd) for consuming alcohol (Khamr)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Beverages (Intoxicants)
Primary text
The prescribed punishment for consuming alcohol should be administered using a whip (sawt), similar to the punishment for illicit sexual intercourse (zina). This is established because the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded, "If they drink wine, flog them," and the term flogging is intrinsically understood to mean striking with a whip. The Rashidun Caliphs and others consistently used whips, indicating consensus on this method. The whip used must be intermediate in quality: not new enough to tear the flesh, nor so worn out that it causes no pain, based on the tradition that the Prophet (peace be upon him) requested a whip that was neither broken nor new, but 'between the two.'
Supporting text
Some scholars suggested that in the beginning, the punishment could be administered using hands, sandals, or the ends of garments, based on a narration involving a man brought before the Prophet (peace be upon him) for drinking. However, the established practice reverted to the whip once matters became settled.