Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless lives and causes terrible misery to millions around the world. Alcohol is the root of several problems faced by society. Statistics of high crime rates, rising cases of mental illness and millions of destroyed homes around the world bear silent testimony to the destructive power of alcohol.
Prohibition of Alcohol in the Quran
The prohibition of alcohol in Islam is derived from the following verse from the Holy Quran:
“O YOU WHO BELIEVE! WINE AND GAMBLING AND STONES RAISED IN THE NAME OF IDOLS AND WANDS OF FORTUNE ARE BUT AN ABOMINATION: ACTIONS OF SATAN. SO, AVOID THEM IN THE HOPE OF BEING BLESSED. ” [HOLY QURAN 5:90]
Prohibition of Alcohol in the Bible
The Bible prohibits alcohol consumption in the following verses:
“Wine is a scorn, strong drink is furious; and everyone who is deceived by this is not wise ”. [Proverbs 20: 1]
“And don’t get drunk with wine.” [Ephesians 5:18]
Can Alcohol Be Beneficial?
Some research indicates that limited consumption may have some health benefits. This is consistent with the verse of the Holy Quran:
“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, “There is in both great sin and benefit to men, and their sin is greater than their benefit.” And they ask you what to spend. Say: “The leftover.” Thus, Allah makes the signs evident to you to reflect. ” [Holy Quran 2: 219]
Alcohol Inhibits the Inhibitory Center
An alcohol awareness poster at Ball State University, Indiana
Human beings have an inhibitory center in their brains. This inhibitory center prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For example, a person does not normally use abusive language when addressing parents or elders. The inhibitory center prevents a person from responding to nature’s call in public.
When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory center itself is inhibited. This is precisely the reason why an intoxicated person is often found indulging in behavior that is completely unusual for him. For example, a person who is drunk may use abusive language with people he respects and / or make sexual advances towards, and regret actions after becoming sober.
How about drinking in “moderation”?
Some argue that it is possible to drink in moderation and exercise self-control to prevent intoxication. Investigations reveal that most alcoholics started out as “social drinkers”. Suppose that a “social drinker” loses self-control only once. In a state of intoxication, he or she can commit a terrible crime, with life-changing consequences. The scores of deaths and injuries due to accidents involving drunk drivers bring untold grief to thousands of families every year.
According to the National Bureau of Crime Victimization of Justice (US Department of Justice) in 1996, every day, on average, 2,713 rapes occurred. Statistics tell us that most rapists were intoxicated while they committed the crime. Even if the act is later regretted, it is likely that a normal human being will carry the blame throughout his life. Both the victim and the aggressor are harmed for life.
Diseases Associated with Alcoholism
There are several scientific reasons for banning the consumption of intoxicants, namely alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to a specific cause is due to alcohol consumption. Millions of people die each year just from drinking alcohol. Below is a simple list of some of the alcohol-related illnesses:
- Cirrhosis of the liver (the most well-known disease associated with alcohol).
- Cancers of the esophagus, head and neck, liver (hepatoma) and intestine.
- Coronary atherosclerosis, angina and heart attacks are linked to heavy alcohol intake. Likewise, strokes and different types of paralysis are linked to alcohol consumption.
- Beriberi and other disabilities are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even pellagra occurs in alcoholics.
- Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that can occur during the recurrent infection of alcoholics or in the postoperative period. It also occurs during abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and can cause death even if treated in well-equipped centers.
- Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. Resistance to disease and the immune defense system are compromised by alcohol consumption.
- Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abscess, Emphysema and Lung Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.
- During acute alcohol intoxication, the alcoholic usually vomits, protective cough reflexes are paralyzed. Vomiting, therefore, easily passes into the lung, causing pneumonia or lung abscess. Occasionally, it can even cause suffocation and death.
- The harmful effects of alcohol consumption on women deserve special mention. Women are more vulnerable to alcohol-related cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy, alcohol consumption has a serious harmful effect on the fetus. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognized more and more in the medical profession.
- Skin diseases are also related to alcoholic indulgence.
- Eczema, alopecia, nail dystrophy, paronychia (infection around the nails) and angular stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics.
Is Alcoholism a Disease?
If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease that:
– It is sold in bottles
– It is advertised in newspapers, magazines, on the radio and on television
– Has licensed outlets to spread
– Produces revenue for the government
– Brings violent deaths on the roads
– Destroys family life and increases crime
– Has no germs or viral cause
ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDICRAFT
Islam is called “Deen-ul-Fitrah” or man’s natural religion. All its injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a deviation from this natural state, both for the individual and for society. Alcohol consumption is prohibited in Islam.
