Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Every intoxicant is khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden. He who drinks wine in this world and dies when he is addicted to it, not having repented, will not drink it in the next.” Muslim transmitted it.
Textual Analysis
The noble hadith from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic jurisprudence: every substance that causes intoxication (sukr) is classified as khamr (wine) and is therefore categorically forbidden (haram).
The Prophet's statement "every intoxicant is khamr" demonstrates that the prohibition extends beyond grape wine to include all intoxicating substances, whether derived from dates, wheat, barley, or other sources.
Legal Implications
This hadith forms the basis for the consensus among scholars that all intoxicants are prohibited, regardless of their form or source. The prohibition covers both large and small quantities.
The comprehensive nature of this prohibition includes modern substances such as narcotics, drugs, and any chemical compounds that alter the mind and cause intoxication.
Spiritual Consequences
The severe warning in the latter part of the hadith indicates the gravity of this sin. Dying addicted to intoxicants without repentance results in being deprived of it in Paradise - a punishment befitting the crime, as one who preferred intoxication over obedience to Allah in this world will be denied even the lawful pleasures of the Hereafter.
This emphasizes the importance of immediate repentance and abandoning all intoxicants, as addiction does not excuse one from religious responsibility.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Nawawi explains in his commentary on Sahih Muslim that this hadith contains both a legal ruling and a severe warning. The phrase "every intoxicant is forbidden" leaves no room for ambiguity or exception.
Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani have noted that this prohibition serves to protect the mind (aql), which is one of the five essential objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-shari'ah).