An old man of the people of Wasit narrated from Abu Mansur al-Harith bin Mansur saying: I heard Sufyan Al-Thawri who was asked about al-dadhi. He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Some of my people will assuredly drink wine calling it by another name.
Hadith Commentary: The Prohibition of Intoxicants by Any Name
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 3689 in the Book of Drinks (Kitab Al-Ashribah) addresses the fundamental Islamic principle that the prohibition of intoxicants remains absolute regardless of what name people may give them.
Textual Analysis
The term "al-dadhi" mentioned in the query refers to a specific type of alcoholic beverage known during that era. When Sufyan Al-Thawri was questioned about its ruling, he immediately referenced this prophetic tradition, demonstrating how scholars apply general principles to specific cases.
The Prophet's warning that "some of my people will assuredly drink wine calling it by another name" serves as a timeless caution against semantic deception in matters of religious law.
Legal Ruling (Hukm)
Classical scholars unanimously agree that any substance that causes intoxication, regardless of its source or name, falls under the prohibition of khamr (wine). This includes modern alcoholic beverages not known during the Prophet's time.
The principle established is: "Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is forbidden" (Kullu muskirin khamrun wa kullu khamrin haram). The naming convention is irrelevant to the legal ruling.
Scholarly Interpretation
Imam Al-Nawawi comments that this hadith demonstrates the completeness of Islamic legislation, which anticipates future attempts to circumvent divine prohibitions through linguistic manipulation.
Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani explains that the prophecy in this narration has manifested throughout Islamic history, with various communities inventing new names for intoxicants to make them seem permissible.
Practical Application
Muslims must evaluate substances by their effects rather than their names. If a drink causes intoxication, it is prohibited regardless of whether it is called beer, wine, whiskey, or any other designation.
This principle extends beyond alcoholic drinks to include all intoxicating substances, whether consumed through drinking, smoking, injection, or any other method.