Al-Baqarah: 219–220
117. Four verses were revealed regarding wine, [some] revealed in Mecca:
- "And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines, you take from them intoxicants" (An-Nahl: 67). The Muslims used to drink it, and it was lawful for them.
- Then Umar, Mu'adh, and a group of the Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah, give us a legal ruling regarding wine, for it destroys the intellect and wastes wealth." So, it was revealed: "In them is great sin and benefit for the people" (Al-Baqarah: 219). Some drank it, and others abandoned it.
- Then Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf invited some people; they drank and became intoxicated. One of them led the prayer and recited: "Say, 'O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship...'" So, it was revealed: "Do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated" (An-Nisa: 43). Thus, those who drank it decreased.
- Then Itban ibn Malik invited a group, including Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas. When they became intoxicated, they boasted and recited poetry until Sa'd recited verses satirizing the Ansar. An Ansari struck him with a camel's jawbone, wounding him. He complained to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and Umar said: "O Allah, provide us with a clear, healing explanation regarding wine." So, it was revealed: "Indeed, wine and gambling..." up to His saying: "So, will you not desist?" (Al-Baqarah: 219). Umar (RA) said: "We have desisted, O Lord."
Regarding the severity of the prohibition:
- Ali (RA) said: "If a drop fell into a well and a minaret were built over it, I would not call the Adhan from it. If it fell into the sea, then the sea dried up and vegetation grew in it, I would not graze my livestock there."
- Ibn Umar (RA) said: "If I dipped my finger in it, I would not let it touch me." This is true faith, and they are those who feared Allah as He ought to be feared.
Definition and Rulings:
- Khamr (wine) is that which boils, intensifies, and casts foam from grape juice; it is forbidden. The same applies to unboiled raisin or date juice. If it is boiled until two-thirds evaporate, then boils and intensifies, its impurity and the devil's portion are removed; it is lawful to drink below the point of intoxication, provided it is not consumed for amusement or pleasure, according to Abu Hanifa. Some of his companions said: "For me to say 'it is lawful' repeatedly is dearer to me than saying 'it is forbidden' once," and "For me to fall from the sky and be torn to pieces is dearer to me than consuming a drop of it."
- Most jurists consider it forbidden like wine, as is everything that intoxicates. It is called khamr because it covers the intellect and discernment, and sukr (intoxication) because it blocks them.
- Maysir (gambling) is a verbal noun from yasara, like maw'id and marji'. It is derived from yusr (ease) because it involves taking a man's wealth with ease, without toil or fatigue.
The Game of Maysir:
- Ibn Abbas (RA) said that in the Pre-Islamic era, a man would gamble with his family and wealth.
- The method: They had ten arrows (azlam). Each had a known share of a slaughtered camel divided into ten parts (or twenty-eight, excluding three: al-manih, as-safih, and al-waghd). They placed them in a bag, shook them, and drew them. Whoever drew a winning arrow took the share; whoever drew a losing one took nothing and paid for the entire camel. They gave the shares to the poor and boasted about it, shaming those who did not participate, calling them barm.
- This ruling includes chess, backgammon, and all games of chance. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Beware of these two cursed games, for they are from the maysir of the non-Arabs."
Interpretation of the Verse:
- "Say, 'In them is great sin and benefit for the people'" (Al-Baqarah: 219). The sin and punishment in consuming them is greater than their benefit (the pleasure of drinking, social bonding, and winning wealth).
- "Al-'Afw" (the surplus): The opposite of jahd (striving/exhaustion). It means spending what does not reach the point of exhausting one's means. The Prophet (ﷺ) once rejected a gold nugget offered as charity, then threw it at the man, saying: "One of you brings all his wealth to give as charity, then sits begging from people. Charity is only from what is left over after sufficiency."
"So that you might reflect":
- This may relate to "reflecting" on the affairs of both worlds, choosing the more lasting one, or reflecting on the punishment of sin in the Hereafter versus the fleeting benefit in this world.
Regarding Orphans:
- When "Indeed, those who consume the wealth of orphans unjustly" (An-Nisa: 10) was revealed, the companions avoided orphans entirely, which caused them hardship.
- It was said: "Improvement for them is best" (Al-Baqarah: 220). Mixing with them for their benefit is better than avoiding them. "And if you mix with them, they are your brothers."
- "And Allah knows the corrupter from the reformer." He knows who enters into their affairs with corrupt intent and who does so for reform.
- "And if Allah had willed, He could have put you in difficulty." He could have made it hard for you by not permitting you to mix with them. "Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might, Wise."
