`Umar delivered a sermon on the pulpit of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), saying, "Alcoholic drinks were prohibited by Divine Order, and these drinks used to be prepared from five things, i.e., grapes, dates, wheat, barley and honey. Alcoholic drink is that, that disturbs the mind." `Umar added, "I wish Allah's Apostle had not left us before he had given us definite verdicts concerning three matters, i.e., how much a grandfather may inherit (of his grandson), the inheritance of Al-Kalala (the deceased person among whose heirs there is no father or son), and various types of Riba(1 ) (usury) ."
Tafsir of Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 5588
This narration from Amir al-Mu'minin 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) contains profound legal and theological wisdom regarding the prohibition of intoxicants in Islamic law.
The Prohibition of Khamr (Intoxicants)
The hadith establishes that all intoxicating substances are prohibited regardless of their source. The five mentioned substances - grapes, dates, wheat, barley, and honey - represent the primary sources from which alcoholic drinks were commonly prepared in Arabia.
The comprehensive definition provided by 'Umar - "that which disturbs the mind" - demonstrates the wisdom behind the prohibition: preservation of intellect ('aql), which Allah has honored humanity with.
Legal Methodology and Gradual Prohibition
The phrase "prohibited by Divine Order" indicates the final stage of prohibition after gradual revelation. Initially, the Quran discouraged drinking (2:219), then prohibited prayer while intoxicated (4:43), before the complete prohibition (5:90-91).
This demonstrates Allah's mercy in gradually guiding the community away from deeply ingrained practices.
Unresolved Legal Matters
'Umar's wish concerning three unresolved matters shows the Companions' meticulous approach to jurisprudence. The grandfather's share, inheritance of kalala, and detailed rulings on riba required careful scholarly deduction after the Prophet's passing.
This illustrates how the Companions engaged in ijtihad (independent reasoning) while acknowledging the superiority of direct revelation during the Prophet's lifetime.
Scholarly Consensus
Islamic scholars unanimously agree that any substance causing intoxication, regardless of its source, falls under the prohibition of khamr. This includes modern alcoholic beverages and drugs.
The principle derived is: "Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is forbidden" - establishing a universal legal maxim for all intoxicating substances.