The Book of Drinks - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5598

"I heard 'Ata' being asked by a man: 'We travel and drinks are offered to us in the marketplaces, and we do not know what kind of vessels they were prepared in.' He said: 'Every intoxicant is unlawful.' He repeated the question and he said: 'Every intoxicant is unlawful.' He repeated the question and he said: 'It is as I have told you.'"

Scholarly Commentary

The questioner expresses a legitimate concern faced by travelers regarding unknown vessels used for preparing drinks. 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah, the renowned tabi'i scholar, responds with the fundamental Islamic principle that transcends vessel concerns: the prohibition of all intoxicants.

The repetition of both question and answer emphasizes the absolute nature of this ruling. 'Ata's final statement underscores that the ruling is definitive and requires no further elaboration, as the primary consideration is the intoxicating nature of the substance itself, not the container.

This demonstrates that when the fundamental prohibition of intoxicants is established, secondary matters like vessel purity become irrelevant. The scholar directs attention to the essence of the Islamic legal position rather than peripheral details.

Legal Principles Derived

The prohibition of intoxicants (khamr) is absolute and comprehensive, regardless of the vessel used.

When a fundamental prohibition exists, secondary considerations become irrelevant to the ruling's validity.

Scholarly responses to repeated questions about established matters may emphasize the definitive nature of the ruling without additional explanation.

Travelers must maintain religious vigilance regarding consumables, prioritizing established prohibitions over uncertain details.