The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Allah has cursed wine, its drinker, its server, its seller, its buyer, its presser, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who conveys it, and the one to whom it is conveyed.
Hadith Commentary: The Comprehensive Prohibition of Wine
This profound narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 3674 in the Book of Drinks (Kitab Al-Ashribah) establishes the absolute prohibition of intoxicants in Islam through a comprehensive divine curse encompassing all parties involved in the wine trade and consumption cycle.
The Scope of Divine Curse
The Prophet's wording demonstrates that Allah's curse extends beyond mere consumption to include every participant in the intoxicant industry. This comprehensive approach eliminates any potential loopholes and ensures complete societal protection from this evil.
Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi explain that "curse" here means being distanced from Allah's mercy, emphasizing the grave spiritual consequences of involvement with intoxicants.
Scholarly Analysis of Affected Parties
The Drinker: The primary subject of prohibition, as intoxication destroys intellect and leads to greater sins.
The Server & Seller: Those who facilitate availability and distribution share in the sin through cooperation in evil.
The Buyer & Conveyor: Participation in any transaction or transportation that enables this trade is equally condemned.
The Presser & Beneficiary: Even indirect involvement in production or benefiting from its proceeds falls under this comprehensive prohibition.
Legal Implications & Wisdom
Islamic jurists from all schools of thought unanimously agree this hadith establishes the complete prohibition (haram) of all intoxicating substances, not merely wine.
The wisdom behind this comprehensive curse lies in protecting society's moral fabric, preserving human intellect, preventing family breakdown, and maintaining social order - all of which are undermined by intoxicants.