The Question of Prohibiting Intoxicants in Islam

Prohibiting consumption of alcohol happened in stages. In the early revelations of Qur’an, wine seems to be approved as a sign of God’s grace: ‘Of fruits of palm-trees, and of grapes, ye obtain wine, and also good nourishment.’ The second stage was when the Qur’anic verse prohibited Muslims from praying while intoxicated. The third stage was stated in this verse, ‘They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say; in both of them there is a great sin but also benefits for men, but their sin is greater than their benefits.’ In the last stage, intoxicants and games of chance are said to be the work of the devil, and are to be avoided. At this stage wine was condemned as haram (prohibited) and unclean.