When the prohibition of wine (was yet to be) declared, Umar said: O Allah, give us a satisfactory explanation about wine.
So the following verse of Surat al-Baqarah revealed; "They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: In them is great sin...." Umar was then called and it was recited to him.
He said: O Allah, give us a satisfactory explanation about wine.
Then the following verse of Surat an-Nisa' was revealed: "O ye who believe! approach not prayers with a mind befogged...." Thereafter the herald of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would call when the (congregational) prayer was performed: Beware, one who is drunk should not come to prayer. Umar was again called and it was recited to him).
He said: O Allah, give us a satisfactory explanation about wine. This verse was revealed: "Will ye not then abstain?" Umar said: We abstained.
Hadith Commentary: The Gradual Prohibition of Wine
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 3670 in the Book of Drinks (Kitab Al-Ashribah) demonstrates divine wisdom in legislation, showing how Allah gradually prohibited intoxicants to facilitate the community's spiritual development.
First Stage: Recognition of Sin
The initial revelation in Surah al-Baqarah (2:219) identifies wine and gambling as containing "great sin" while acknowledging some worldly benefits. This allowed Muslims to recognize the spiritual danger while preparing them for eventual prohibition.
Second Stage: Prayer Prohibition
The revelation in Surah an-Nisa (4:43) forbade approaching prayer while intoxicated, creating a practical barrier that limited consumption by connecting it to the fundamental pillar of prayer.
Final Prohibition: Complete Abstention
The conclusive verse from Surah al-Ma'idah (5:90-91) declared intoxicants as "abominations of Satan's handiwork" and commanded complete abstention, to which Umar responded with immediate compliance: "We abstained."
Scholarly Insights
Classical scholars note that this gradual approach reflects divine mercy, considering the deep-rooted nature of alcohol in pre-Islamic society. The wisdom lies in nurturing spiritual maturity rather than imposing immediate change.
Umar's repeated supplication demonstrates the Companions' earnest desire for clear guidance and their complete submission to divine command once it was fully revealed.