Tafsir of An-Nahl 16:67

[Question]: To what is the phrase "And from the fruits of the palm trees and the grapevines" (16:67) attached?

[Answer]: It is attached to an omitted verb, estimated as: "And We give you to drink from the fruits of the palm trees and the grapevines." That is, from their juice. It was omitted because the preceding "We give you to drink" indicates it. The phrase "you take from it intoxicants" is an explanation and clarification of the nature of this "giving to drink."

Alternatively, it may be attached to "you take," with "from it" being a repetition of the prepositional phrase for emphasis, similar to saying: "Zayd is in the house, in it."

It is also permissible that "you take" is an adjective for an omitted noun, as in the verse: "She was generous with a hand that was among the most accurate of mankind," estimated as: "And from the fruits of the palm trees and the grapevines [is] a fruit from which you take intoxicants and good provision." This is because they eat some of it and take intoxicants from some of it.

[Question]: To what does the pronoun in "from it" (minhu) refer if you consider it a repeated prepositional phrase?

[Answer]: It refers to the omitted noun—the juice—just as the pronoun in the Almighty’s saying "or they were taking a midday nap" (7:4) refers to the omitted "family."

As-Sakar (intoxicant) is wine. It is named by the verbal noun from sakara (to be intoxicated), like rushd (guidance). It is said: "They came to us while intoxicated (sukr)..."

Regarding this verse, there are two views:

1. It is abrogated (a view held by Al-Sha'bi and An-Nakha'i).
2. It combines both reproach and a reminder of favor.

It is said that Sakar is Nabidh (a fermented drink): the juice of grapes, raisins, or dates boiled until two-thirds evaporate, then left until it ferments. This is lawful according to Abu Hanifa up to the point of intoxication, and he cites this verse and the Prophet’s (ﷺ) saying: "Wine is forbidden for its essence, and Sakar (intoxication) is from every drink," along with numerous reports. Our teacher, Abu Ali al-Jubba'i—may God sanctify his soul—authored several books on the permissibility of Nabidh. When he grew old and advanced in age, it was said to him, "If you drank some to gain strength," but he refused. When asked, "But you authored books on its permissibility," he replied, "The dissolute have taken to it, so it has become distasteful to [my] sense of honor."

It is also said that Sakar means "taste/sustenance," as in the line: "I made the honor of the noble ones a Sakar (sustenance/snack)," meaning I snacked on their reputations. Others say it refers to wine, implying that when one indulges in the reputations of people, it is as if they have become intoxicated by them.

"Good provision" refers to vinegar, date syrup, dates, raisins, and the like. It is also permissible to consider Sakar as a type of "good provision," as if it were said: "You take from it that which is an intoxicant and that which is good provision."

{And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct. Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you]." There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.}