Tafsir of Al-Ma'idah 5:90

"O you who have believed..."

He emphasized the prohibition of wine (khamr) and gambling (maysir) through several methods of confirmation:

1. Beginning the sentence with innama (exclusively).
2. Linking them to the worship of idols. This is supported by the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying: "The drinker of wine is like the worshiper of an idol."
3. Categorizing them as the work of Satan. Nothing comes from Satan except pure evil.
4. Commanding avoidance (ijtinaab).
5. Linking avoidance to success (falah). If avoidance is success, then committing them is failure and ruin.
6. Mentioning the disastrous consequences: The occurrence of enmity and hatred among those who drink and gamble, and how these acts lead to being diverted from the remembrance of Allah and from observing the times of prayer.

"So will you not be those who desist?" This is among the most eloquent ways to forbid something. It is as if it were said: "The various deterrents and obstacles regarding these acts have been recited to you; so, in light of these deterrents, will you desist, or will you remain as you were, as if you had not been admonished or warned?"

If you ask: To what does the pronoun in His saying, "So avoid it (fajtanibuhu)," refer? I say: It refers to an omitted noun implied by the context, as if it were said: "The matter of wine and gambling, or the engaging in them, or something similar." This is why He said, "a defilement from the work of Satan."

If you ask: Why were wine and gambling grouped with the idols (ansab) and divining arrows (azlam) at first, then singled out at the end? I say: Because the address is to the believers. He forbade them from what they were engaging in—drinking wine and playing at gambling. He mentioned the idols and arrows to emphasize the prohibition of wine and gambling, and to show that all of these are practices of the Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) and the people of polytheism; thus, it is mandatory to avoid them entirely. It is as if there is no distinction between one who worships an idol and associates partners with Allah in the knowledge of the unseen, and one who drinks wine or gambles. Then, He singled them out for mention to show that the primary intent of the address is wine and gambling.

His saying, "And from prayer": This is a specification of prayer from among the general "remembrance of Allah," as if it were said: "And from prayer, specifically."