(O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants [al-khamr])
It is the intoxicant derived from grape juice, or every drink that clouds the intellect and covers it. This has been narrated from Ibn Abbas—may Allah be pleased with them both.
(And gambling [al-maysir])
It is gambling, and they included in it games played with walnuts and knucklebones.
(And the stone idols [al-ansab])
They are the stones erected for worship. Some differentiate between *al-ansab* and *al-asnam* (idols), stating that *al-ansab* are stones that were not fashioned [into figures] which they would set up for worship and sacrifice before, whereas *al-asnam* are those that were fashioned and worshipped instead of Allah the Almighty.
(And the divining arrows [al-azlam])
They are the arrows used for casting lots, and the discussion on this has previously passed in the most complete manner.
(Are filth [rijs])
Meaning, uncleanness that the intellect recoils from. Al-Zajjaj said: *Rijs* is everything considered filthy from ugly deeds. Its root meaning is a loud sound, which is why clouds are called *rajjās* due to their thunder; *al-rajz* has the same meaning according to some. Ibn Durayd differentiated between *al-rijs*, *al-rajz*, and *al-raks*, assigning *al-rijs* to evil, *al-rajz* to punishment, and *al-raks* to excrement and stench.
The word rijs is used in the singular despite being a predicate for a plural, because it is an infinitive (masdar) that applies equally to the singular and the plural, similar to the saying of the Almighty: "Indeed, the polytheists are najas (unclean/filth)." It is also said that it is because it is the predicate for "intoxicants," and the predicates for the conjoined items are omitted, relying upon the one mentioned. It is also said that there is an implied addition in the statement regarding those things, and it is the predicate for that [implied] addition; meaning: the state of these things, or the partaking in them, is filth.
(From the work of Satan)
It is in the nominative case as an adjective for *rijs*, meaning: originating from his work, because it is caused by his embellishment and his whispering. It is said that "from" (*min*) denotes the beginning, meaning: arising from his work. On both interpretations, there is no harm in designating these as "work," even if what was mentioned consists of physical objects. The claim that if the implied addition is assumed, there is no need to consider the relationship of causality nor to state that "from" denotes the beginning, is not free from scrutiny.
(So avoid it)
Meaning: the filth, or all that was mentioned—by interpreting what was mentioned, or the implied "partaking," or [avoid] Satan—
(That you might succeed)
Meaning: hoping for your success, or in order that you may succeed by avoiding it. This discussion has already passed.
The Almighty has indeed emphasized the prohibition of intoxicants and gambling in this verse with various modes of emphasis: by beginning the sentence with innama (indeed/exclusively), by pairing them with idols and divining arrows, and by naming them filth from the work of Satan—all to alert [the listener] to the extreme ugliness of both. He commanded the avoidance of their very essence (based on some interpretations) and made it a reason for which success is hoped, so that committing them would be a [cause for] failure.
