Every fermented covering is khamr and every intoxicant is unlawful, and whoever drinks an intoxicant, his prayer is devalued for forty mornings; then if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance, but if he returns to it a fourth time, it is incumbent upon Allah to make him drink from tinat al-khabal.
It was asked: And what is tinat al-khabal, O Messenger of Allah? He replied: The pus of the inhabitants of Hell. And whoever gives it to a minor to drink who does not recognize his lawful from his unlawful, it is incumbent upon Allah to make him drink from tinat al-khabal.
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 3680 establishes the fundamental Islamic prohibition of all intoxicating substances, categorizing them under the term "khamr" regardless of their source.
Comprehensive Prohibition
The Prophet's declaration "every intoxicant is khamr" demonstrates the universal prohibition extending beyond grape wine to include all substances that cloud the intellect, such as date wine, beer, and modern narcotics.
Scholars emphasize this establishes the principle of "whatever intoxicates in large quantities is prohibited in small quantities," closing potential loopholes in intoxicant consumption.
Spiritual Consequences
The forty-day rejection of prayers signifies the severe spiritual damage of intoxication, which impairs the mindfulness required for valid worship. This period represents divine displeasure rather than exemption from prayer obligation.
The door to repentance remains open, demonstrating Allah's mercy while emphasizing the gravity of the sin through the specified duration of spiritual consequences.
Ultimate Punishment
"Tinat al-khabal" refers to the foul pus and discharge from Hell's inhabitants. The fourth-time repetition indicates persistent defiance after multiple warnings, warranting this severe eschatological punishment.
Scholars interpret this as either literal punishment in the Hereafter or metaphorical representation of the spiritual corruption resulting from addiction.
Responsibility in Serving
The prohibition extends to serving intoxicants to minors, emphasizing communal responsibility. Even if the minor lacks legal accountability, the server bears full responsibility for facilitating sin.
This establishes the Islamic principle of preventing harm to others, particularly the vulnerable, and the severe consequences for those who enable intoxication.