Hadith Text & Context

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "Do not soak (fruits) in Ad-Dubba', An-Naqir, Al-Hantam, and every intoxicant is unlawful." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 5590)

This prohibition from The Book of Drinks addresses specific containers and establishes the fundamental Islamic ruling on intoxicants.

Explanation of Prohibited Vessels

Ad-Dubba': Gourd containers that were hollowed out, commonly used for fermenting dates and grapes.

An-Naqir: Vessels carved from wood or stone that could not be properly cleaned, allowing residue to ferment.

Al-Hantam: Pots coated with pitch or tar whose porous nature facilitated fermentation and impurity retention.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam An-Nawawi explains this prohibition serves multiple wisdoms: preventing intoxicant consumption, avoiding doubtful matters, and ensuring purity of vessels.

Ibn Qudamah notes these specific containers were singled out due to their common use in fermenting alcoholic drinks in pre-Islamic Arabia.

The general principle "every intoxicant is unlawful" establishes that any substance causing intoxication, regardless of container, remains prohibited in Islam.

Legal Rulings Derived

The prohibition extends beyond these vessels to any container that facilitates fermentation or retains impurities.

Modern scholars apply this to plastic barrels, ceramic jars, or any vessel used for fermenting intoxicants.

The hadith establishes that the means leading to haram are also prohibited, emphasizing preventive measures in Islamic law.