Abu Malik al-Ash'ari told of hearing God’s messenger say, “Some of my people will assuredly drink wine calling it by another name.”Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.
Exegesis of the Prophetic Warning
This profound narration from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) serves as a timeless caution against semantic deception in religious matters. The wise scholar observes that when the prohibited (haram) is given permissible names, it indicates a corruption in understanding and practice.
The Nature of the Warning
The phrase "some of my people" indicates this will occur among those who profess Islam, making the warning more severe. The certainty in "assuredly drink wine" shows this is an inevitable trial for the ummah.
"Calling it by another name" reveals the core deception - attempting to legalize the prohibited through linguistic manipulation, while the essence remains unchanged before Allah.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical commentators explain this refers to intoxicants being called "beverages," "spirits," or other euphemisms while maintaining their intoxicating nature. The ruling follows the substance, not the name.
This principle extends beyond wine to all religious prohibitions - changing names doesn't change rulings. The scholar cautions against those who use clever wordplay to justify what Allah has forbidden.
Contemporary Application
This hadith warns against modern attempts to reinterpret clear prohibitions through linguistic gymnastics. The believer must look to the essence, not the label.
The preservation of religious terminology is essential for maintaining Islamic identity and avoiding the gradual normalization of prohibited matters.