As you know, "dry law" reigns in Islamic countries. Is it really strictly forbidden for Muslims to drink alcohol, or is there any indulgence? And where did this taboo come from?
How "dry law" was implemented in Islam
Before the adoption of Islam, the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula actively consumed alcoholic beverages. Since there was little water and it was often unfit for drinking due to various impurities and salts, people quenched their thirst in
mostly wine and date liqueur. Although these drinks had a weak strength, in hot climates they began to ferment, which added to their degrees. All this led to massive alcohol addiction. Many died from alcohol poisoning, children were born with developmental defects.
Although at first Islam did not imply a rejection of alcohol, the Prophet Muhammad, seeing the devastating consequences of drunkenness, decided to introduce "dry law". Its introduction was carried out in several stages. First, people began to explain to the people the harmful effects of alcohol through sermons. Then they adopted a ban on carrying out namaz in a state of alcoholic intoxication. And finally, a complete and categorical ban on the use of any intoxicating substances was introduced. It was then that the concept of sin - hamar ("depriving of reason") was first announced in Islam.
Five main reasons for the ban on drinking alcohol were formulated:
1. You cannot perform namaz while drunk. After all, believers should turn to Allah five times a day.
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2. Fear of addiction. Muhammad said that there will be no benefit from what is prohibited. After all, having drunk even one sip of alcohol, a person may want more.
3. Clouding the mind, alcohol obscures the distinction between righteousness and sin.
4. Drinking alcohol is a bad example for children. After all, the older generation should serve as a role model for the younger.
5. Alcohol reduces self-control, makes one forget about the Quran and the commandments of Allah, and for believers this is unacceptable.
Surah Al-Maida says: “O you who believe! An intoxicating drink, maysir (gambling), (sacrifices) on stone altars (and fortune telling) from flying arrows are bad deeds (inspired) by the shaitan. Avoid it, maybe you will succeed. Indeed, with the help of wine and maysir, the Shaitan wants to sow enmity and hatred between you and turn you away from the remembrance of Allah and prayer. Will you stop (these obscenities)?"
Wine was banned not only from drinking, but also from selling. The merchants, who brought alcohol into the city, took the skins, cut them open and poured the contents onto the ground.
What is Hamar?
Meanwhile, the word "hamar" meant at the same time "cover with a veil", "intoxicate" and a drink obtained from grape or fruit juices by fermentation. It turned out that if the drink was made in a different way, then it could be consumed. So, at first, beer and pure alcohol, obtained in 860 by a Persian doctor, were not included in the number of forbidden drinks.
In Persia, by the way, Zoroastrianism prevailed, preaching free human choice and being an integral part of the culture of this country. There are many enthusiastic lines about wine in the immortal poetry of Omar Khayyam and Hafiz. And today, although Islam has long become the dominant religion in the country, Zoroastrian communities have survived there, whose members still drink wine. It can be bought in small shops in the southwestern regions of Iran, as well as in Muslim Albania.
Even many famous Muslim leaders did not shy away from alcohol. This happened in the Middle Ages and in our days.
Is it possible or not?
Theological debates on this topic also continue. In 2008, Islamic theologian Yusuf al-Qaradawi issued a fatwa that allowed limited drinking. Al-Qaradawi motivated by the fact that the alcohol content in drinks less than 0.5% is quite acceptable for the faithful, since it does not lead to intoxication, and therefore cannot contradict the dogmas of Islam. True, many of his "colleagues" did not support him and immediately entered into a heated discussion.
Be that as it may, there is now a free sale of wine and brandy in countries such as Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and even Iran and Saudi Arabia. True, you will hardly find really drunk here: this is not welcome in any way … Those who like to drink do it away from prying eyes and consume wine in rather moderate quantities.
As the same Omar Khayyam said:
The prohibition of wine is a law that reckons
Where do you drink wine and how much, and with whom.
When all of these clauses are met, Drinking is a sign of wisdom, not a vice at all.
Irina Shlionskaya